Podcast Episodes

This week’s episode is a special one—the recording of our 400th Play Therapy Podcast livestream celebration. What began as an experiment with six episodes has grown into a global community of child-centered play therapists, with listeners in more than 120 countries...

In this episode, I introduce a new series on the podcast—CCPT Mythbusters—and we begin by tackling what I believe is one of the most pervasive myths in the field: that child-centered play therapy needs innovation. I explain how the field often defines “innovation” as...

When Kids Wreck the Playroom: Understanding Room Wrecks in Child-Centered Play Therapy Room wrecks are one of the most challenging—and inevitable—parts of practicing child-centered play therapy. At some point, a child is going to dump shelves, scatter toys, and leave...

In this episode, I answer a question about how to effectively communicate child-centered play therapy to teachers and school staff—especially when they are expecting quick, directive results. I explain why this is such a challenge, given that educational systems often...

In this episode, I share some observations from my recent trip to Japan and reflect on what I noticed about children and their parents. What stood out to me most wasn’t a specific experience or attraction—it was the consistent presence of calm, content, and genuinely...

In this episode, I talk about a common mistake we make in parent consults—giving parents too much, too fast, and expecting them to implement it successfully. I explain how this often comes from our own desire to “have something to say” or to be helpful, but it...

In this episode, I revisit the concept of Adulthood Bias and explain why it continues to show up so frequently in how adults interact with children. At its core, Adulthood Bias is the tendency to forget what it’s like to be a child—emotional, present-focused, and...

In this episode, I answer a question about how to communicate with children regarding two important parts of the play therapy process: meeting with parents and taking notes during sessions. I explain why it’s critical to set clear expectations from the very first...

In this episode, I address a growing trend I’ve been seeing among therapists—trying to interpret, analyze, and “figure out” what a child’s play means. I understand the desire to make sense of themes, especially when we’re trying to communicate progress to parents. But...

In this episode, I challenge the widespread use of the phrase “imposter syndrome” in the therapy field and invite you to reconsider what you’re saying—and believing—about yourself as a clinician. I explain how this language often gets introduced early in training and...

In this episode, I talk through the differences between independent play and collaborative play in child-centered play therapy sessions, and why understanding the distinction is so important. Early in the therapy process, children often play independently as they are...