333 | Art of the Session: Encouragement and Esteem Building - Helping Kids Believe They're Capable

Episode summary

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 transformative tool that helps children build internal confidence, resilience, and a stronger sense of self-worth. You'll learn how this skill contributes directly to one of our universal outcomes: increased self-esteem.

We also unpack the critical difference between encouragement and praise—why one empowers while the other creates dependency on external validation. I share practical examples of what encouragement sounds like in the playroom and how to pair it with esteem-building language to reinforce a child's sense of capability. If you've ever struggled to reframe your language from praise to encouragement, this episode gives you a clear path forward. It's one of the most powerful skills we can use as CCPT therapists—and one that can truly change a child's internal narrative.