Analysing Drawing in Non-Directive Play: A Case of 6-Year-Old Girl with Emotional Problems

Behavioural and emotional problem is commonly reported in childhood, some cases require psychological management. Non-directive therapeutic play or child-led play that always involve spontaneous drawing, is one of the most natural and potential means to work with children, yet it is not being fully utilised and explored. This is a single case study, of a 6-year-old girl, referred for therapeutic child-led play skill session for being easily irritable and aggressive at home. Following 20 sessions with a trained therapeutic play practitioner, mother reported marked improvement in her child’s emotional regulation. We explored the child’s emotional standing when she was drawing, as well as the changes that evolved as we analysed series of drawings she produced throughout the therapy.  We conclude that careful analyses of spontaneous drawing, coupled with in-session behavioural observation, and reflection, emotional state of the child can be tacit. This information is consistent with parent-reported scoring.