Podcast Episodes
384 | Stop Trying to Figure Out the Play: A Reminder for CCPT Therapists
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...
383 | The Parent Factor in CCPT: Can a Child Fully Heal If the Parent Doesn’t Change?
In this episode, I answer a question about how a parent’s own anxiety, stress, or perfectionism impacts a child’s progress in play therapy. I talk through the reality that while children often absorb what they are around, their growth in CCPT is not dependent on their...
382 | “Imposter Syndrome” in Therapy: Why It’s Time to Let It Go
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...
381 | When Kids Ask Questions in the Playroom: How CCPT Therapists Should Respond
In this episode, I answer a listener question about working with an inquisitive 11-year-old who frequently asks questions during sessions. Many child-centered play therapists struggle with how to respond when children ask for information, especially because the model...
380 | From Playing Alone to Playing Together: Understanding the Shift in CCPT
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...
379 | When Children Leave the Playroom and Parents Email Too Much: Two Questions Answered
In this episode, I answer two listener questions that highlight common challenges child-centered play therapists face in session and in communication with parents. First, I respond to a question about a child who unexpectedly leaves the playroom and begins knocking on...
378 | Stop Rescuing Children in the Playroom
In this episode, I address something I see far too often in child-centered play therapy: therapists struggling to let children struggle. If it is painful for you to watch a child wrestle with frustration, anger, failure, or confusion in the playroom, we need to...
376 | Q&A Lightning Round #9: Six Questions from Four Listeners Answered
In this lightning round episode, I tackle four listener questions that each highlight common pressure points in CCPT practice. First, I address a question about children who consistently want the lights turned off in session — particularly in the context of suspected...
375 | Why Most CCPT Therapists Crumble Under Pressure (And What To Do About It!)
In this episode, I walk you through the Summit Framework — the developmental roadmap for mastery in child-centered play therapy that I presented at the Field of Dreams training. I believe one of the greatest challenges in our field is that we’ve never clearly defined...
374 | What to Do When Children Want to Save What They Built – A CCPT Q&A
In this Q&A episode, I respond to a question from a school-based, mobile play therapist navigating what to do when children want to preserve, hide, or protect things they build in session. I unpack how this dynamic shifts when you are not in a static playroom and...
373 | Perfectionism, People-Pleasing, and Fear of Vulnerability
In this episode, I respond to a question about a nine-year-old who presents as mature, responsible, and “put together,” yet shows strong perfectionistic and people-pleasing tendencies in session. I unpack what is often happening beneath that polished exterior — faking...
372 | Why This Podcast Is Unapologetically Child-Centered: The Purpose of the Play Therapy Podcast
In this episode, I pause and recenter on the why behind this podcast and the work I’m committed to in the play therapy field. With a recent surge of new listeners, I felt it was important to clearly articulate what this space represents and why Child-Centered Play...
371 | OCD Behaviors in Children: What We’re Really Treating in CCPT
In this episode, I address a topic I’ve been getting more and more questions about: children who present with obsessive or compulsive behaviors that mirror OCD. I explain why I feel OCD is often not an appropriate childhood diagnosis and why these behaviors are best...
370 | CCPT Gamechangers: How to Respond When Adults Say Kids Are Rational
In this Game Changers episode, I tackle one of the most common objections we hear from adults: “If children aren’t rational or cognitive, how do they learn in school?” I explain why this question reflects an adulthood bias and how academic learning is often...
369 | Understanding Time and Touch in Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this episode, I answer two questions that touch on both the clinical and relational demands of child-centered play therapy. First, I address why the average number of CCPT sessions has shifted over time from 20–30 to more commonly 30–40 sessions. I share my...