Podcast Episodes
32 | My Playroom Was Absolutely Destroyed By A Client (A Debrief, And How I Handled It)
Last week I had, arguably, the most challenging session with a child that I've ever had to deal with. I've had a lot of questions from listeners about how to handle aggressive play, so I thought this would be good to debrief with you to explain how child-centered play...
31 | How To Conduct Sibling/Group Play Sessions
In this episode, I give my input to a listener who emailed me about their client's Mom, that was interested in sibling sessions. The listener wanted to know if there was anything that I would mention or do. I have done quite a few sibling and group sessions, and I...
30 | One Of The Best Things You Can Communicate To A Child Is That They Are Competent
This episode is a play therapy principle linked to choice giving skill. Topics in this episode: - Confidence-confidence spectrum - The playroom is the "antidote" to a child's negative inputs - Self-fulfilling prophesy Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com...
29 | The Use Of Aggressive Toys In The Playroom
In this week's Q&A episode, I give my take on a listener's question: "I'd love to hear your take on the controversy of using aggressive toys in general." I break down my commentary into the following topics: - Thematically speaking, why aggressive toys are important -...
28 | Empower Kids By Giving Them Credit For Decisions
In this episode we dive into the first of the choice-giving principles of play therapy, "Empower kids by giving them credit for their decision" (Landreth/Bratton) Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com Email me: [email protected] Follow me on Twitter:...
27 | The Use Of Games In The Playroom (And What To Do About Cheating!)
Jen, a listener from the UK, wrote me an email and asked "I’m wondering if you might be up for doing a podcast on your take on the use of games- uno, table football and guess who are regulars in my sessions and I would love to hear your perspective. There also seems...
26 | 6 Assessments To Support What You Are Doing In The Playroom
As promised in the last episode, I'm going to go over 6 assessments that can support your work in the playroom. I frequently hear from play therapists that they don't feel supported by peers or employers, or that play therapy is treated as an inferior modality to the...
25 | What To Do When You Are Not Feeling Supported As A Play Therapist At Your Place Of Work
In this episode, I'm taking a break from the regular curriculum to answer some questions that have come in from listeners. One of the questions that I get consistently is what do I do when I'm not supported as a play therapist at my work? So I talk about how to handle...
24 | Feelings Are Always Valid, Even If The Behavior Is Not Acceptable
In episode #24 we are continuing with the "principles" of play therapy topics. The principle "Feelings Are Always Valid, Even If The Behavior Is Not Acceptable" connects with reflective responding (the first of the "4 Pillars" of play therapy), and is essential to...
23 | Reflecting Feelings Helps The Child Feel Understood, Lessens Anger, And Diffuses Intensity Of Emotion
In this episode, I do a deep dive into an aspect of "why" you reflectively respond (track behavior, reflect feelings, reflect content). I discuss three outcomes that should give you a better understanding of the principle behind reflective responding, and a goal for...
22 | If You Know Enough To Ask A Question, Then You Know Enough To Make A Statement
Another "Principle of Play Therapy"... "If You Know Enough To Ask A Question, Then You Know Enough To Make A Statement." Questions put children in their heads, but children live in their hearts. How do we reflectively respond without asking questions? This principle...
21 | Questions Put Kids In Their Minds, But Kids Live In Their Hearts
We're now moving from the "4 Pillars of Play Therapy", or the skills that we use in the playroom, to the "principles" of play therapy. The first principle comes from the Child Parent Relationship Therapy manual by Landereth & Bratton, "Questions Put Kids In Their...
20 | Encouragement
In this episode, I discuss the 4th "Pillar of Play Therapy"... Encouragement! Specific topics: The difference between encouragement and praise How you would use encouragement in the play room Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.comEmail me:...
19 | Limit Setting
In this episode we explore the 3rd of the 4 Pillars of Play Therapy... Limit Setting. Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com Email me: [email protected]
18 | Choice Giving
In this episode we explore the 2nd of the 4 Pillars of Play Therapy... Choice Giving. Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com Email me: [email protected]