Podcast Episodes
87 | Q&A: Working With Kids With Sexual Behavior Or Abuse Backgrounds
In this episode of The Play Therapy Podcast, I address the critical topic of working with children who have experienced sexual abuse or exhibit sexualized behaviors. Combining questions from listeners Monica and Anna, I delve into three key aspects: acknowledging and...
86 | Broken Play Theme in Play Therapy
In this episode, we delve into the "Broken Play Theme" in child-centered play therapy's category of safety and control themes. Exploring Broken Play Theme: Children depict brokenness in their play through two lenses: a broken self or a broken object. This theme delves...
85 | Burying Or Drowning Theme
In this episode, we're delving into the intriguing burying or drowning theme, a part of our ongoing exploration of control and safety themes. Burying involves hiding characters or objects under sand, toys, or even clothes, symbolizing various intentions. It can...
84 | My Complete Interview With Dr. Jennifer Baggerly About Child-Centered Play Therapy
When you've trained directly with Dr. Garry Landreth, you gain vast knowledge and helpful perspective on the child-centered play therapy model. Join me for an insightful chat with my mentor, Dr. Jennifer Baggerly, a specialist directly trained by the renowned Dr....
83 | Fire Play Theme In Play Therapy
Today, we're entering the realm of control and safety themes, marking a transition from our previous categories. Specifically, we're exploring the intriguing concept of fire play. Children engage in fire play with remarkable diversity, expressing it through a spectrum...
82 | Q&A: How To Handle A Child That Makes Animal Noises And Behaves Like A Puppy In Session
Listener, Yanna, emailed me with a scenario... she is seeing a child that acts like a puppy all session and she was wondering how I would handle that. I actually have a client right now that is doing that! So this was a timely question. In this episode, I discuss the...
81 | Adult Activity Theme In Play Therapy
In this concluding episode of the Nurturing & Caregiving category, we delve into the intriguing realm of the Adult Activity Theme. This distinctive theme revolves around activities that distinctly mimic adult behaviors. Join me as we explore the nuances of this theme...
80 | Q&A: What To Do When You’re “Stuck” With A Client On The Autism Spectrum
A listener from the UK emailed me with questions about a client on the autism spectrum. She is feeling "stuck" and was looking for some advice. In this episode I talk about the following topics: - Progress with ASD kids takes longer - The proper use of "I wonder"...
79 | Store And Shopping Theme In Play Therapy
In this episode, I cover the Store and Shopping Theme. This theme falls under the Nurturing Theme category of themes in play therapy. In addition to discussing this theme in play sessions and its meanings, I discuss "parallel tracks" with other themes, such as the...
78 | What Play Therapy Theme Does Board Game Play Fall Under?
Ethan from VA emailed me a question asking what play therapy theme board game play falls under. Secondly, Ethan asked what theme it is if the child makes up a game. The answer is not as simple as board game play falls under a specific theme. In this episode, I'll tell...
77 | Neglect, Abuse, or Punishment of Self Themes in Play Therapy
In this episode, I dive into Neglect, Abuse, or Punishment of Self Themes in Play Therapy. I discuss examples of how this theme manifests in play, the differences between similar themes, and how to differentiate between them. My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless:...
76 | Staying True to the Model: Child-Centered Feedback for Pandemic-Related Anxiety
Listener Yanna, in MA, emailed me asking about a client who has severe anxiety related to germs, possibly related to the pandemic. I've posted her email below. "I am hoping you could provide some child-centered strategies and feedback on how to best support my client....
75 | Failed Nurturing Theme In Play Therapy
Failed Nurturing, essentially, is any time a child uses nurturing activities but they are negative towards the person being nurtured. This can manifest in withholding nurturing or neglecting the person. In this episode, I discuss different meanings of the failed...
74 | Defying Opposition: Unveiling the Potential of Child-Centered Play Therapy for ODD
Listener Cheryl emailed me with the following question: "How does a child with Oppositional Defiance Disorder heal through CCPT? I have one child I’m seeing that seems to have these symptoms and so I have recently started CCPT with him and it seems he is expressing...
73 | The Self-Nurturing Theme In Play Therapy
In this episode, I talk about the distinction between nurturing and the self-nurturing themes. I also discuss the following topics related to self-nurturing play: - The child uses infantile, baby toys to comfort the themselves - The child needs nurturing, but don't...