Adlerian Play Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Play Therapy share which characteristic?

• A. They can be both directive and nondirective
• B. They can be only directive
• C. They can be only nondirective
• D. They are neither

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that both Adlerian Play Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Play Therapy can be delivered in either a directive or nondirective style. In Adlerian Play Therapy, a directive approach might involve guided activities, goal setting, and purposeful tasks designed to reveal underlying lifestyle patterns and prompt change. A nondirective approach, on the other hand, lets the child lead the play and the therapist respond with reflection and support, helping the child discover solutions at their own pace. In Cognitive-Behavioral Play Therapy, interventions can be structured and therapist-directed—teaching coping skills, cognitive restructuring, and graded exposure through play—representing a directive stance. Yet CBT play also accommodates child-led play to express thoughts and feelings, with the therapist guiding strategies as needed, which aligns with a nondirective approach. Because practitioners can flex between these modes to fit the child and goals, this shared characteristic is that both approaches can be either directive or nondirective.