Which statement about play therapy is NOT a purpose?

• A. It allows children to escape from their problems
• B. It puts children at ease and can provide important revelations about the child's feelings and experiences
• C. It gives the child a sense of what a "normal" home is like
• D. It stimulates the child's creativity and allows him or her to build self-esteem

Answer: (A)

Play therapy uses symbolic and hands-on activities to help children express emotions, fears, and experiences in a safe, supportive setting. The goal is to build trust, reduce distress, enhance coping and problem-solving skills, and often promote self-esteem and creativity as the child processes what’s happening in their life. Because of that, escaping from problems is not a therapeutic aim; the process is about bringing hidden feelings to light and working through them with guidance. Providing a sense of what a “normal” home is like isn’t a primary objective either—therapy centers on the child’s own experiences and feelings, rather than teaching a normative home scenario. The other statements fit the intended purposes: helping the child feel at ease and reveal their inner world, and fostering creativity and self-esteem.