In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I respond to a question from Nada in Texas about working with a six-year-old boy who is fascinated with "Bad Guys" behavior in his play. The child often portrays himself as a bully or a criminal in both his drawings and...
Questions & Answers
201 | Telehealth for Child-Centered Play Therapy: Does It Work?
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer a question from Laura in Washington about whether child-centered play therapy (CCPT) can be effectively conducted via telehealth. As telehealth becomes more common, this question has surfaced repeatedly, especially...
200 | Free Play Resistance: Structure-Seeking Kids in Child-Centered Play Therapy
First things first... If you are planning on going to the Oct. 2024 APT Conference in Atlanta, GA, and would like to attend the Play Therapy Podcast meetup, please click the link: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com/meetup. I need to know how many are coming so I can...
198 | “I’m In Charge, and I Want You To Choose!” – What To Do When Kids Try To Make You Choose (Ninja Trick!)
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a question from Linae in Colorado, who is working with a child that refuses to make choices during sessions. This is a common issue, as children often struggle with power and control, anxiety, or both, which can...
197 | Mobile Child-Centered Play Therapy: Tips for Success Outside the Playroom
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer questions from Falon in Pennsylvania and Rudi in Colorado, who are both mobile child-centered play therapists. They are navigating the challenges of conducting CCPT in various settings like homes, libraries, and...
196 | Separation Anxiety in Play Therapy: When Children Want Parents in the Playroom
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a question from Shannon in Iowa regarding managing separation anxiety when children want to bring a parent into the playroom. This is a common challenge in child-centered play therapy (CCPT), and I provide...
194 | Why Children Don’t Clean Up the Playroom in Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer another insightful question from Danielle in Georgia about managing cleanup in child-centered play therapy (CCPT). Danielle shared that she typically gives children the choice of whether or not to clean up, but...
193 | Welcoming Back Clients: Handling Returns to Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I respond to a question from Danielle in Georgia about handling a client’s return to child-centered play therapy (CCPT) after a year-long hiatus. Danielle's client has spent time reminiscing about previous therapy...
191 | Beyond the Diagnosis: How Child-Centered Play Therapy Supports Children with Various Conditions and Diagnoses
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I respond to a question from Bailey in Texas about the effectiveness of child-centered play therapy (CCPT) for children with NF1, a genetic condition. Bailey is working with a six-year-old client whose symptoms resemble...
190 | Summer Breaks in Child-Centered Play Therapy: Strategies for Continuity
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a common issue many of us face every year—how to handle requests from parents to take a break from therapy over the summer. Ethan from Virginia wrote in with a question about managing this situation when parents...
189 | The Power of Boundaries in Child-Centered Play Therapy: Managing Separation Anxiety
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a question from Jonathan, whos client wanted to leave the playroom to see her grandmother in the second session. I explore the challenges of handling this situation using the child-centered protocol. We discuss...
187 | When Therapy is Cut Short: Understanding the Impact on Stages and Phases
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I respond to a listener question from Terri in Ireland, who is navigating the challenges of a truncated therapeutic process. Terri shares her experience with two clients whose sessions were limited due to her training...
185 | Unexpected Breakthroughs: Navigating Power Dynamics When a Child Tapes Your Mouth Shut
In this episode, I address a question from Holly in Virginia about a challenging play therapy session with a 5-year-old child who has a significant trauma background. The child duct-taped Holly's mouth shut during the session, raising questions about setting limits...
183 | Navigating Child and Adult Therapy Coexistence in a Group Practice: Expectations, Communication, and the ‘Why’
In this episode, I address a question from an anonymous listener who called in. This listener works in a multi-disciplinary practice where child-centered play therapy coexists with adult therapy. The practice owner is considering implementing restrictive rules for...
181 | The Addiction We’re Ignoring: Screen Time and Child Mental Health
In this episode, I dive deep into a concerning trend in child and adolescent psychotherapy: the use of video games in therapy. I address an email from Carolyn in Vermont, who asks about therapists using video games to engage "difficult" clients, often using...
179 | Freedom to Be Loud: The Significance of Loud Play in Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this episode... First of all, I'm thrilled to celebrate a major milestone with you all - the Play Therapy Podcast has reached 300,000 downloads! I'm deeply grateful for your continued support and dedication to child-centered play therapy. Your commitment to...
177 | Q&A Lightning Round #7: Five Questions From Three Listeners Answered
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I dive into a mini lightning round, answering five questions from three different listeners. Before getting into the Q&A, I share a heartwarming email from Tammy in Ireland, who recounts her early experiences with...
175 | Play Therapy Challenges: From Credentials to Limit-Setting
In this episode, I answer questions from Sarah, a school therapist in Florida. Sarah's role as an in-school therapist for a therapeutic unit presents unique challenges, and I'm excited to address her questions about play therapy. I start by reassuring therapists that...
173 | Resistance or Control? Responding to ‘Don’t Talk to Me’ Moments in Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this episode, I answer a question from Julia in New York about handling situations where a child tells us to "leave them alone" or "don't talk to me" during play therapy sessions. I explore two possible reasons for this behavior: resistance or power and control...
171 | The Art of Understanding: Mastering the ‘Why’ in Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this episode, I dive into a question from Ethan in Virginia about understanding the "why" behind a child's behavior in play therapy. As someone who frequently emphasizes the importance of knowing the why, I share my thoughts on developing this crucial skill. I...
169 | When a Child’s Outbursts are Limited to Home: A Child-Centered Play Therapy Perspective
In this episode, I answer a question from Tammy in Canada about a 9-year-old child who is well-behaved in settings like school and sports, but has outbursts, hits parents, swears, and calls names when experiencing big emotions at home. The child then deals with a lot...





















