Question: Write a 100-150 word reply. In the beginning stages of therapy, building rapport and a strong therapeutic alliance with children, adolescents, caregivers, and each family member involved is imperative to ensure that clients remain engaged, motivated, and involved in sessions. Green et al. (2018) argued that play therapy has positive implications for helping children and preadolescents express their internal thoughts and feelings, strengthen their coping and problem-solving skills, and increase their ability to socialize and interact with others. However, therapists must be cautious when integrating play-based interventions into therapy, attending to the child's developmental abilities, family system, and the contextual factors influencing the presenting problem or symptoms. Therefore, building rapport with children, adolescents, and family members is approached differently. Hall et al. (2002) proposed that play therapy is a practical, interpersonal approach for engaging with and building rapport with children. Since children may not have the developmental capacities for verbal communication, abstract reasoning, and emotional labeling, play provides an outlet for both the child and the therapist to get to know one another, converse, and explore their presenting problem. For example, in my clinical practice, I have used the "Feeling Word Game" described by Hall et al. (2002) with children ages 3, 5, and 7, and I found it to be a positive experience that engaged each child. Need Assignment Help?