A FREE Master-Class Education in Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT)
Listen to the latest episode
Subscribe to my email newsletter JUST FOR THERAPISTS!
Latest podcast episodes
Reverse Pandora’s Box: Understanding Progress and Regression in Child-Centered Play Therapy
In today's episode, I start the first episode in a new series on advanced CCPT concepts. Today I'm discussing a metaphor/story that I tell parents during consultations that I refer to as the Reverse Pandora's Box. This idea is crucial for understanding the natural...
Exploring the Therapeutic Use of Board Games in a Child-Centered Playroom
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...
6 Takeaways from “Filial Therapy Using Child Parent Relationship Therapy”
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I continue the discussion into the child-centered filial approach within play therapy. I recently conducted a filial CEU course, and I want to share the insights I learned from participant feedback. I identified six key...
Navigating the First Session: Achieving the “Touchstone Story” Goals with a Child-Centered Approach
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...
Filial Therapy: Understanding Goals for Parents, Children, and Therapists
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I cover the goals of filial therapy. I'm focusing primarily on the Child-Parent Relationship Training (CPRT) model. Facilitators need to understand the importance of these goals, not only for parents but also for children...
Q&A Lightning Round #4: 5 Questions From Listeners Answered
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...
From Playroom to Home: Integrating Filial Therapy into Practice
In this episode, we delve into filial therapy, continuing our exploration of working with parents and families. Filial therapy, derived from the Latin word for family, encompasses various theoretical orientations, with our focus being on the child-centered approach. I...
Understanding Children’s Battle Scenes: Insights into Repetitive Play in Therapy
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...
Client vs Customer and Delivering Value: Redefining Parent Relationships in Play Therapy
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I'm going to take one more week to drive home the most important concept in engaging parents in the play therapy process. Through numerous discovery calls for the Play Therapy Professional Certification program, a common...
Transformation Stories: How Child-Centered Play Therapy Changes Lives
In this special episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I deviate from our usual schedule to share an inspiring email from a listener named Nathan. His email details how child-centered play therapy (CCPT) has transformed his career and life. Nathan, a social worker,...
Collaborating with Schools: Communicating with Teachers as a Play Therapist
In this episode, I discuss effective strategies for communicating with schools as a play therapist. It's important to understand that school personnel aren't always trained in mental health, so approaching them with empathy and support can make a big difference. I...
Decoding Screen-Influenced Play: Insights for Play Therapists
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...
Get Brenna’s Latest Book
Device Detox: A Parent’s Guide To Reducing Usage, Preventing Tantrums, And Raising Happier Kids.
“Dr. Brenna Hicks does an excellent job of sketching the problem, but the book shines brightest when Dr. Hicks offers a suite of practical, evidence-based strategies for coping with screen overuse in children. A valuable book that deserves to be read by parents everywhere.”