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Latest podcast episodes
338 | What Parents Really Need to Hear: How to Structure and Deliver Powerful Parent Consultations
In this episode, I answer a question from Juliet in Georgia about how to communicate effectively with parents during the initial parent consultation and ongoing 5-week consults. I break down what to share (and what not to), how to avoid clinical jargon, and why...
337 | Art of the Session: Narrative Commentary in CCPT
In this episode of the Art of the Session series, I introduce a skill I call Narrative Commentary—a powerful tool for those quiet, reflective moments in session when neither content nor emotion is being expressed verbally. When a child isn’t talking or showing strong...
336 | When a Child “Breaks” Limits: Staying True to the CCPT Model
In this episode, I respond to a question from Jordan in New York about handling repeated limit “testing” in the playroom—especially in the context of children navigating divorce. I walk through the essential components of CCPT-aligned limit setting, clarify what...
335 | Art of the Session: Play Session Guidelines – Labeling, Following the Metaphor, & Neutrality
In today’s episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I continue our Art of the Session series by outlining three key session guidelines that don’t fall into the typical “skills” category, but are essential to ensuring we remain adherent to the CCPT model. These are not...
334 | Preparing Parents for What’s Coming: Set Expectations Early or Struggle Later
In this episode, I answer two important questions from McKenzie in Illinois—both centered around session frequency and resistance during therapy. I explain why weekly sessions are ideal in child-centered play therapy and how communicating that clearly from the very...
333 | Art of the Session: Encouragement and Esteem Building – Helping Kids Believe They’re Capable
In this episode of the Art of the Session series, I explore the final pillar of Child-Centered Play Therapy—Encouragement, with a bonus deep-dive into esteem-building responses. I explain why encouragement is so much more than just a phrase we say—it’s a...
332 | The Screen-Free Playroom: Holding the Line in a Digital World
In this episode, I respond to a question from Kaylia in Arkansas about how to handle children who want to look something up on a phone during a play session. As screens become more prevalent in kids’ lives, this issue is surfacing more frequently in the playroom. I...
331 | Art of the Session: The ACT of Setting Limits
In this episode of the Art of the Session series, I walk through one of the trickiest and frequently rushed CCPT skills: limit setting. We revisit why going back to the basics is so important—because true mastery lives there. I explain the ACT formula (Acknowledge,...
330 | From Over-Attachment to Avoidance: Making Sense of Child Responses in CCPT
In this episode, I respond to a listener question that highlights two very different—but equally important—play therapy dynamics. One child clings to the therapist immediately, handcuffing herself to me in the first session and refusing to leave in the second. Another...
329 | Art of the Session: Empowerment Through Choice Giving
In this episode of the Art of the Session series, I focus on the second pillar of CCPT: choice giving. While limit-setting often leads to enforcement choices, empowerment choices are much rarer—and very powerful. Empowerment choices allow children to practice making...
328 | When They Want It Left Just the Way It Was – Permanence Response in CCPT
In this episode, I respond to a listener question about how to handle situations where children want their creations or work in the playroom to remain untouched between sessions. Whether it’s a LEGO build, a coloring page, or a carefully constructed scene, children...
327 | Art of the Session: Reflecting Feelings with Effectiveness and Precision in CCPT
In this episode of the Art of the Session series, I walk through one of the most important and most underutilized CCPT skills: reflecting feelings. Despite its central role in both the reflective responses and the four pillars of CCPT, reflecting feelings is...
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