Termination Wrap Ups

The school year is coming to an end and so is my time with kids at school.  It's important to wrap up and end the relationship positively.

The Puzzle Method
Take an image that has some meaning to the client or the work you've been doing and cut it into puzzle pieces.  On the back of each piece, write a question or a directive, like a skill you might have practiced together that you can do in session.  (Remember questions about progress and the child's experience as well as favorite things.)  Put the pieces in a bag and mix them up.  (Have a copy of the uncut picture to help in reassembly.)  As the child draws out a piece, read the back and answer the question or do the activity together.

Hidden Termination
This one is for families.  It also involves questions.  Questions should help transition, review progress and new skills, and address any grief at ending.  They should be tailored to the client.  The game involves small candies and a colorful grid. 

To play, the first participant must leave room or close eyes and plug ears while others choose which square is “Pete.”  The treats are placed on the squares. When ready, the first participant is invited to start eating.  When the participant goes to eat “Pete” everyone shouts “Don’t Eat Pete.”  At this point, a termination question is given to the participant.  You can choose to let the participant eat all treats on the board after the question if desired.  Move to the next participant or repeat if needed.

Times Pi Day

I'm a little late, but I wanted to mention two ways to use a paper circle in therapy.

Personal Time Pie:  Have the client divide the pie into percentages of where they spend their time.  Then how they want to spend their time. And then have them keep track during the week to see where they actually spend their time.  Talk about obstacles in getting from here to there.  Talk about why they spend time the way they do.

Family Time Pie:  I have had times when a child wants more attention and the parents feel like they don't have enough time.  I've had the child product two pies: how much time is spent in which areas now and how they'd like it to be.  They can be quite fair.  I have the parents do the same thing.  Then we compare with each other.  Great reality check and perspective enlightening.

Many Selves - An Art Intervention

This is an original intervention I presented at the 2015 International Association for Play Therapy conference in Atlanta, GA.  I was inspired by Internal Family Systems, although, the concept of the self exists in many theories and this exercise can be used well with many theories.

• This intervention explores what roles a client sees themselves as occupying and how these roles conflict or complement one another.
• It also explores how they manifest in or are influenced by the wider world of the client.
• While Internal Family Systems restricts roles to two types, exiles and protectors, this intervention widens the scope to utilize the client's understanding and definition of themselves.

As the client comes to know the real self, they learn how to manage these other internal types and self-competency and mindfulness increase. This exercise, used to uncover the roles a client identifies with, is appropriate for children and adults and is especially helpful with multicultural clients.