In this episode, I address a great question from Katie in Florida about what to do when kids seem unsure of what to play with in later play therapy sessions and gravitate toward the same activities each time. First, I discuss how this pattern could indicate the child...
Episode Summary: In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, Dr. Brenna Hicks addresses several questions from listeners on various topics related to child-centered play therapy. How to Schedule Parent Consultations? Madison in Iowa asks: "I'm wondering how you...
Helping a Child with Separation Anxiety in Play Therapy In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer a question from Jemima in England about working with a nine-year-old boy struggling with severe separation anxiety. Jemima has had two sessions with the child...
In this episode, we tackle a sensitive but common issue faced in child-centered play therapy: managing enuresis and encopresis among young clients. I answer a question from Juliette in Georgia, addressing how therapists can maintain a child-centered approach while...
In this episode, I tackle a nuanced situation shared by Nell from Maryland, a play therapist working with an 11-year-old client who does not speak during therapy sessions. Despite not being diagnosed as selectively mute, the child exhibits behaviors akin to selective...
In today's episode, I answer a question from Summer in Illinois. She asked about the use of board games in the playroom. As a tool in child-centered play therapy, board games serve as a conduit for emotional growth, problem-solving, and social interaction. This...
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a question from Marian in Ireland regarding the Touchstone story, a method sometimes used in initial therapy sessions. While acknowledging the intention behind the Touchstone story, I delve into why it doesn't...
Lightning Round Q&A #4! - Four listeners contacted me with five questions, so here we go with Lightning Round #4. I'm so grateful to you and your investment in child-centered play therapy. You are why I do this podcast. Thank you for your emails and phone calls. Here...
In today's episode, we dive into a question from Ariana about children's consistent play themes of battles and fights in therapy sessions. Ariana shares her experiences with clients repeatedly setting up battle scenes with varying degrees of aggression, leading to...
In this episode, I delve into a question from Batsheva about how to distinguish between play that stems from a child's imagination versus play influenced by screen time. As someone who authored the book "Device Detox," I'm deeply passionate about reducing children's...
In this episode, I address a question from Margaret in Indiana regarding credentialing for play therapy. Margaret, like many others, expressed concern about her lack of formal training in child development and whether it's necessary to become a Registered Play...
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a question from Alexa in Texas about case conceptualization. Alexa, soon to be an RPT, seeks guidance on how case conceptualization fits into the Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) model and how to document it. I...
Lightning Round Q&A #3! - Four listeners contacted me with 5 topics of questions, so here we go with Lightning Round #3. Thank you to Jess for calling into the new call-in number, (813) 812-5525. I'm so grateful to you and your investment in child-centered play...
Lightning Round Q&A #2! - I've gotten emails saying you like the lightning round format, and the downloads support that opinion, so here we go with Lightning Round #2. Don't forget that I now have a call-in number that you can ask questions as well. (813) 812-5525....
In this episode, I get caught up on questions that listeners have emailed to me. So put your seatbelt on and hang on for the lightning round of Q&A. Here are the topics of questions answered: - Donna in Virginia - Length of sessions - Katarina - Hugging, terminating...
In this episode, I address a question from Barbara in California about how to explain to others that child-centered play therapy can work for any child. This is a crucial topic because it helps justify our work and the effectiveness of the child-centered model....
In this episode, I respond to a question from Emery in New Jersey, a school-based child-centered play therapist, about setting therapeutic goals in a school setting that emphasizes SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals. Emery highlights...
In this episode, I respond to a question from Stacy in Colorado about children taking toys from the playroom. Stacy describes a situation where a girl repeatedly tries to take toys home, while her sister asks but respects the limit. I explain that children often want...
In this episode, I respond to a question from Yanna in Massachusetts about how to handle a child who says play therapy is boring. Yana also expressed feeling hurt when the client seemed excited that their next session was canceled after seven months of therapy for...
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a significant question from Tammy in rural British Columbia and I received a similar question from listener Katarina. Both inquire about how to respond when children express love or seek hugs during therapy...
In this episode, I answered questions raised by two listeners, Meredith and Katarina, about the role of cleaning up toys at the end of a play therapy session. Both wondered about the child-centered approach regarding this aspect. I highlighted my approach, established...