While many arts therapists doing child assessments have adequate play space and an abundance of play materials, this is not always the case. This video showcases how therapists can help a child make up a personalized story or fantasy regardless of abundancy of materials.
In this video, Judy Rubin interviews a 7-year-old; Carole Kunkle-Miller interviews a 12-year-old; and Ellie Irwin does a modified sand world interview with a 10-year-old.
In these assessments, the art therapy supplies are minimal, while the sand world interview substitutes miniature life toys and a large plastic container filled with sand for the typical wet and dry sandtables and the many objects and miniatures that most sandplay therapists offer. The important factor in these initial interviews is not the abundance of materials, however; the crucial therapeutic factor is an engaged and interested therapist who can help the child make up a personalized story or fantasy, stimulated by the available materials. This beginning relationship coupled with the initial foray into the child’s inner world can then be further elaborated in future sessions.
This video was formerly included in the Expressive Media Arts Therapies Films Collection distributed by Expressive Media Inc.
