Application of Standardized Observation Form in School Counselling in Taiwan: Exploratory Study with Children Exhibiting Internalizing and Externalizing Behavior Concerns

Abstract

The exploratory study investigated the impact of Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) on children who present with internalizing and externalizing behavioral concerns through a single-case design. Two second-grade male children in northern Taiwan displaying clinical levels of internalizing or externalizing behavior problems underwent 9 weeks of weekly 40-minute CCPT sessions.  The children’s parents and teachers completed the Child Behavior Checklist and Teacher’s Report Form before and after play therapy. Observational data were collected via the Direct Observation Form throughout the baseline, intervention, and follow-up phases. Observation data were evaluated through visual analysis. In-session play therapy notes and the children’s play therapy behavior scores were also analyzed. The participants’ internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors demonstrated slight decreases.