Picking Up Questions and Statements
Intervention purpose: This intervention is to help facilitate early client engagement, obtain necessary information to complete a therapeutic assessment, and to build rapport. Through an adaption of the game “pick-up sticks” the therapist and client have an opportunity to get to know one another by asking questions. This game can easily be adapted for a variety of age levels and skills.
Treatment Modality:
Individual
Family
Groups
Age Range:
4 years through adult
Traditional Pick-up Sticks (NOTE: Giant Pick-up Sticks can be purchased on Amazon.com. The larger sticks allow for more challenge as the participants need to consider the weight of the sticks during play)
Paper and writing utensil
The first meeting with a client is the most important as this meeting begins a therapist’s rapport with the client and their family. Often this initial appointment involves paperwork, which varies in length and intensity based on the work setting. In order to find balance between rapport building and paperwork completion, this intervention is intended to help collect the necessary information in a way that is fun and engaging to the consumer.
Pick-up Sticks begins with arranging of the package of sticks. The therapist splits the amount of sticks approximately in half. Then holding one half in each hand, use the sticks to form an “X” pattern by interweaving the two halves. Once the “X” has been formed, the therapist drops them onto the floor or table. It should be noted that the height in which the sticks are dropped will create the challenge level. The closer to the floor the “X” is when dropped the more challenging the game will be. Once the sticks have been dropped the game can begin.
Most packages have the following colored sticks: red, yellow, blue, green and black (or white).For the purposes of this game the colors will represent as follows:
Red: Something I like about myself or my family
Yellow: Something I would like to work on in treatment
Blue: Something I don’t like about myself or my family
Green: One of my hopes or dreams
Black/White: Used as a helper stick when collecting sticks
In the original game, the goal is to pick up one stick at a time without moving any other sticks. As sticks are collected they can then be used to assist the player in picking up more sticks. Players move around in a circle taking turns at picking up sticks. The player with the most sticks is the winner. In the therapeutic version of this game, players take turns collecting sticks. Once the client is able to pick up a stick they share something about themselves that match the color code above.
Age and skill level should be taken into account by the therapist when initiating this intervention, younger children may become easily frustrated by the game and express their wish to stop play should sticks be disturbed often. The therapist may adjust the rules of the game for the age of the child, such as leaving off the part of the rules where the play is not allowed to pick up a stick if any of the other sticks are disturbed or moved during play.
In the beginning of services clients may feel nervous about answer questions. When building rapport with clients, especially children, it is best to give them space to respond when they feel comfortable. Offering to answer the question for the client the first couple of rounds could help to ease the tension for the child. Remember when disclosing information about yourself to clients to keep it age appropriate and something that the client may easily relate to, such as “I pulled a red stick, I like the Disney movie “Frozen,” would be appropriate for a 6 year old, where the comment, “I pulled a red stick, I like to drive fast,” may be inappropriate to that same child as it discloses the therapist’s driving habits and might not be something the client can relate to.
As the game continues and the rapport becomes better established the child may be more willing to disclose information about themselves that helps the therapist to complete any necessary paperwork, while engaging in a fun, yet structured intervention.
