HOUSE-TREE-PERSON TEST (HTP)

House-Tree-Person Test (HTP) was administered on GG, a 22 years 1 month old female on
11th August 2021.
Interpretation of the house drawing
The house is placed on the left side of paper which indicates that she is disturbed by her past
and impulsivity. The roof is drawn bigger than the house walls and is the drawing is drawn
towards the top side of the page which indicate immersion in fantasy which may lead to
withdrawal from interpersonal relationship and attempts to control emotions. The windows
indicate anxiety relating to inter & intra personal relationship. As per her case history the
client is disturbed with the family history of cancer, as her mom passed away from cancer,
there are signs compulsion, obsession and fantasy related to her health as she keeps checking
up on herself. Ventilation area indicates timely emotional outlet.
Interpretation of the tree drawing
The tree is floating which indicates lack of emotional stability. The tree size indicate she is
having good family support and ego strength. The truck is narrow in the centre and wide at
the ends which indicates that the client had good support at the earlier years of her life,
narrow middle shows that the parents couldn’t provide the support she needed, the phrase her
mom passed away and now she is getting the support. The foliage covers 1/3rd of the truck
which indicate that there is lack of emotional growth in spite of having good support from her
father.
Interpretation of the person drawing
The client has drawn a figure of the opposite sex of 26 years which means that the person’s
strong impact/ influence on her. The side profile indicates that she doesn’t want to reveal
much about the person. As the drawing is big and the head is also big it seems the person has
a sense of grandiosity and the client is focussed on his intellectual side. Eyes indicate that the
person is in his own world self- centric. Eyelashes indicate has the need to present self is
important and high. Nose indicate that he is of a prominent nature and has a sense of
grandiosity. The person has a more than normal big smile which shows that he is masking or
covering things up, and his mouth is open which is corroborated with client’s smoking
behaviour and desire to stop this habit out of fear of contracting cancer since there is family
history of cancer. The neck is small and thick which may indicate poor impulse control.
Angular shoulders are also indicative of high aggression or pressurise imposition of discipline
in client’s life. The circular shape feet’s are indicating imbalance.
Interpretation of the 2nd person drawing
When the client was asked to draw the opposite sex person of the 1st drawing, she drew
herself at age 14. There has been a lot of stroking in drawing the picture which indicates lack
of surety and may show high level of anxiety. The eyes indicate that she is introspecting
about self and the scenario around. Eyelashes indicated that the client needs to present herself
well and presentation is important. The nose is in the shape of hook which may indicate
aggression, impulsivity and sense of pride to some extent. Ears are drawn but covered with
hair indicates that she is suspicious about things around. Design on the dress may indicate
need for approval. As the client is dressed from shoulder to ankle it means she is conscious
about self. Hands are placed in akimbo style which indicates anger and rigidity to certain
extent. Quality of lines indicate high levels of anxiety.
Interpretation of the combination drawing
Similar aspects as noted in the house, tree and person drawings, however, they are all drawn
in a compartment which means she is intentionally distancing or separating self from family
and protecting herself. It may also corroborate with her compulsive behaviour of
organisation. In house drawing she has drawn lines on the roof which indicate that there is
presence of anxiety. There are plants on both sides of the house which may indicate that she
needs extra reinforcement. In tree drawing she has added birds which indicate need for
nurturance. In the person drawing she drew herself. Her eyes indicated that she may not able
to connect with people around and lost in her own world at present.
Summary
The chief findings of HTP showed withdrawal, high aggression, impulsivity, fantasy and
anxiety, emotions outlet of emotional energy, lack of emotional stability, low self-esteem,
feeling of inadequacy, disturbance in the ego strength, lack of impulse control and
helplessness. It was corroborated with the case history in which it was noted that client had
intrusive thoughts and was showing compulsive behaviour as well. Unresolved trauma of her
childhood especially during the time of her mother’s illness and death was also reflected in
the drawings.
 KINETIC FAMILY DRAWING
In the drawing she has drawn her family watching TV. The client has mentioned the age of
the each member which indicates it’s the memory of her childhood when she was 13 years.
The drawing is giving a back view a 3rd person perspective which indicates that there is some
difficulty or issues in the family and the client is feeling helpless. When asked about what’s
happening the client said the family is watching tv at night and then after sometime they all
go off to sleep, there’s no communication between members in the scene. Television
indicates need of leisure.