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Latest podcast episodes
Toy Takers!: Setting Limits On Children Taking Toys Home
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...
Failure Theme In Play Therapy
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, we explore the theme of failure in play therapy sessions. I dive into the nuances of failure play and how it differs from mastery play, which was discussed in a previous episode. Failure play can be linked to issues such as...
Tackling “Boredom”: Exploring the Deeper Meanings Behind a Child Saying That Play Therapy Is Boring
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...
Mastery/Competence Play Theme In Play Therapy
In this episode, we're diving into the category of mastery and competence play by looking at Mastery Theme play. This is where kids engage in activities that require a sense of accomplishment. I discuss how these types of play, like building, stacking, or balancing,...
Hugs And I Love You’s: Responding to Children’s Affection
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...
Exploratory Theme in Play Therapy
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, we begin the final category of themes—exploration and mastery. It's been incredible to witness your enthusiasm for understanding and applying these themes in your work with children and families. Today, we delve into the...
To Clean or Not to Clean: The Role of Playroom Cleanup in Child-Centered Play 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...
Escape Play Theme In Play Therapy
In this episode, we delve into the fifth theme within the safety play category: Escape Play. This particular theme marks a shift from the previous ones – containing, protection, danger, and rescue. Here, the focus is on a character, often the child themselves,...
Building Trust: The Key to Engaging Parents in Play Therapy
In this episode, I address a crucial question from Bethany in Mississippi about how to handle corporal punishment in her community where it's still prevalent. Although it's not directly linked to the playroom, it involves supporting parents—a critical aspect of our...
Rescue Play Theme In Play Therapy
In this week's episode, I delved into rescue play, which happens to be the fourth of the five safety play themes. Rescue play is often intertwined with the danger theme, providing a powerful means for children to address and resolve negative scenarios. When a child...
Decoding Chaotic/Messy Play: Embracing A Child’s Emotional Expression
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I discuss a question by Emma in Georgia about managing messy play in therapy sessions. Emma describes a child who engages in a flurry of activities, making a mess and moving rapidly from one thing to another, leaving play...
Danger Play Theme In Play Therapy
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, we explore the concept of danger as a safety play theme in the playroom. So we will dive into the nuances of this theme, clarifying that despite its name, danger play falls under the safety category. I talk about how...
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