Podcast Episodes
Overcoming Separation Challenges: A Child-Centered Approach
In this episode, I address a therapist's question about working with a 9-year-old boy struggling with severe separation anxiety. The child's anxiety stems from an experience of an upset stomach while living in Tanzania, which he has now anchored to feeling safe only...
Mastering the Art of Limit-Setting: The Power of the “Pause” in Offering Perfectly Aligned Choices
In this episode, we get into the fine details of limit setting in play therapy sessions. I emphasize the importance of the "limit setting pause" – a crucial moment where we take a beat to understand the child's underlying emotions, needs, and motivations before...
The Inside Track on CCPT Supervision: Why Theoretical Alignment Matters – Part 2 of My Chat with Dr. Jodi Mullen
In today's episode, I got to sit down with Dr. Jodi Mullen and talk about CCPT supervision. Dr. Mullen is an RPT-S and CCPT-Master and brings decades of experience to this conversation. I know you hear this from me often, but I wanted you to hear the message from...
Special Interview Episode: Dr. Jodi Mullen – Talking Child-Centered Play Therapy and Child Trauma (part 1 of 2)
In today's episode, I got to sit down with Dr. Jodi Mullen and talk about CCPT supervision. Dr. Mullen is an RPT-S and CCPT-Master. I hope you enjoy this special episode as much as I enjoyed making it. It was a pleasure to "talk shop" with Dr. Mullen and share stories...
Understanding and Managing Bathroom Accidents in Child-Centered Play Therapy
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...
Mastering Limit Setting in Child-Centered Play Therapy: A Deep Dive
In this episode, we take a pause from my planned curriculum to address a crucial skill that many therapists find challenging: limit setting in child-centered play therapy. Over the next two weeks, we will explore this topic in depth, aiming to refine and enhance your...
Silence in the Playroom: Navigating Child-Centered Play Therapy with a Selectively Mute Child
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...
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...