Chapter 4 - Data Collection: Intake and Mental Status

Abstract

This book describes various actual play therapy activities required by therapists to successfully conduct the play therapy. Logistically, this workbook should be completed in three stages. First of them is to gather the relevant information and enter into Workbook Parts I, II, and possibly III. The chapter provides the reader with instructions for completing Workbook Parts I and II. The chapter focuses on the data collection process involved in the play therapy. It involves appendices and charts that can be directly used for clinical purposes. And various case examples are quoted here for a better insight of the topic. Finally, the chapter concludes that not all of the information gathered in the intake process will be relevant to all cases. The play therapist is free to pick and choose the information to be gathered. The chapter attempts to guide this selection by specifically highlighting those areas that involve potential danger to the client and those that are critical to a complete evaluation of any child. Moreover, even though these data are quite comprehensive, it is often useful to supplement this information with data from more structured assessments.