In this episode, I answer two great listener questions from Mikaela in Illinois. First, we dive into costumes in the playroom—what’s essential, how to think creatively with limited space, and how to make costume play meaningful for kids without overloading your...
In this episode, I talk honestly about the struggles we all face as child-centered play therapists — not as problems to be avoided, but as essential parts of our own therapeutic journey. After two meaningful conversations this week, and in the context of my own recent...
In this episode, I respond to Erin’s question about working with a selectively mute child. I explain that selective mutism isn’t a separate diagnosis—it’s rooted in paralyzing anxiety. Once we understand that, we can approach it with CCPT through safety, trust, and...
In this episode, I respond to Heather’s question about a client who returned to therapy after a higher level of care. This child’s play is dominated by themes of money, power, and control — and I explain how these themes often reflect underlying anxiety and a need to...
In this episode, I walk through the final phase of Child-Centered Play Therapy—the countdown and last session. Once a child is ready to terminate, our focus shifts to helping them process and celebrate the end of therapy in a healthy, meaningful way. I explain how to...
In this episode, I respond to two questions from Megan in D.C.—one about navigating self-esteem work and another about handling separation anxiety in school settings. I explain how to respond when a child asks for praise or directs you to say something specific, such...
In this episode, I discuss how to determine when a child is truly ready to terminate therapy. While we often focus on the beginning and middle of the CCPT process, understanding when and how to end is equally important. I walk through the four key questions that guide...
In this episode, I respond to Sally’s question about attendance and attrition in Child-Centered Play Therapy. Many therapists are noticing families stop coming around the fifth or sixth session, and I explain why this usually reflects a breakdown in articulation. When...
In this episode, I explore the dynamics of sibling and group play therapy sessions in Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT). I walk through why and when it makes sense to pair siblings together in the playroom—especially when there's a shared experience like divorce or...
In this episode, I respond to a question from Lungile, a clinician in South Africa working with a 9-year-old girl who engages in highly directive role play—assigning roles, limiting dialogue, and scripting the session. When sessions become this structured, how do we...
In this episode, I walk you through one of the most challenging—but entirely normal—scenarios in child-centered play therapy: when a child refuses to go back to the playroom. Whether it's the lobby, hallway, or even the car, I share how we can handle these moments...
In this episode, I answer two questions from Chloe in Georgia. First, I talk about how to navigate physical limitations or health issues—like pregnancy, illness, or injury—in the playroom without disrupting the child’s experience or compromising the therapeutic...
In this final episode of the Art of the Session series, I walk through a full recap of everything we’ve covered over the past 16 episodes. This has been one of the most in-depth series I’ve ever done, and it’s all about grounding ourselves in the foundational...
In this Q&A episode, I answer three questions from Emily. First, I share how I guide parents to respond when a child—or their sibling—asks why they’re going to therapy. I offer simple, CCPT-aligned language that keeps the explanation safe, supportive, and...
In this episode of the Art of the Session series, I focus on how we engage in role play within child-centered play therapy sessions—and more importantly, how to do it without taking over the process. Role play often trips up even seasoned therapists, especially when...
In this episode, I respond to a powerful and relatable question from Liba in Pennsylvania about working with a highly anxious, intensely resistant 8-year-old diagnosed with ADHD. Liba shares details about his anger, avoidance, control-seeking behavior, and outright...
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I explore two valuable techniques that every child-centered play therapist should have in their toolbox: the “I wonder” statement and the whisper technique. These subtle but powerful responses help us remain adherent to the...
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...
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...
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...
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...