Podcast Episodes
Bad Guys Play: Healthy Expression or Cause for Concern?
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I respond to a question from Nada in Texas about working with a six-year-old boy who is fascinated with "Bad Guys" behavior in his play. The child often portrays himself as a bully or a criminal in both his drawings and...
Telehealth for Child-Centered Play Therapy: Does It Work?
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer a question from Laura in Washington about whether child-centered play therapy (CCPT) can be effectively conducted via telehealth. As telehealth becomes more common, this question has surfaced repeatedly, especially...
Free Play Resistance: Structure-Seeking Kids in Child-Centered Play Therapy
First things first... If you are planning on going to the Oct. 2024 APT Conference in Atlanta, GA, and would like to attend the Play Therapy Podcast meetup, please click the link: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com/meetup. I need to know how many are coming so I can...
Session Savvy: Why We Don’t Say ‘Thank You’ in Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this Session Savvy episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I discuss a common habit in the playroom: saying "thank you" to children. While it might seem polite and appropriate in everyday conversations, thanking a child during a child-centered play therapy session can...
“I’m In Charge, and I Want You To Choose!” – What To Do When Kids Try To Make You Choose (Ninja Trick!)
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a question from Linae in Colorado, who is working with a child that refuses to make choices during sessions. This is a common issue, as children often struggle with power and control, anxiety, or both, which can...
Mobile Child-Centered Play Therapy: Tips for Success Outside the Playroom
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer questions from Falon in Pennsylvania and Rudi in Colorado, who are both mobile child-centered play therapists. They are navigating the challenges of conducting CCPT in various settings like homes, libraries, and...
Separation Anxiety in Play Therapy: When Children Want Parents in the Playroom
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a question from Shannon in Iowa regarding managing separation anxiety when children want to bring a parent into the playroom. This is a common challenge in child-centered play therapy (CCPT), and I provide...
Session Savvy (Avoiding Detours from the Child-Centered Model): Avoiding Third-Person in the Child-Centered Playroom
Avoiding Third-Person in the Child-Centered Playroom In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I kick off our new Session Savvy series, designed to help play therapists refine their approach and avoid subtle deviations from the child-centered play therapy (CCPT)...
Why Children Don’t Clean Up the Playroom in Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer another insightful question from Danielle in Georgia about managing cleanup in child-centered play therapy (CCPT). Danielle shared that she typically gives children the choice of whether or not to clean up, but...
Welcoming Back Clients: Handling Returns to Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I respond to a question from Danielle in Georgia about handling a client’s return to child-centered play therapy (CCPT) after a year-long hiatus. Danielle's client has spent time reminiscing about previous therapy...
The Indescribable Moments in Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this final episode of the Summer School Series on the Play Therapy Podcast, I delve into the profound insights from Garry Landreth’s The Art of the Relationship. As we wrap up this series, I explore Landreth’s reflections on the dynamic nature of child-centered...
Beyond the Diagnosis: How Child-Centered Play Therapy Supports Children with Various Conditions and Diagnoses
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I respond to a question from Bailey in Texas about the effectiveness of child-centered play therapy (CCPT) for children with NF1, a genetic condition. Bailey is working with a six-year-old client whose symptoms resemble...
Summer Breaks in Child-Centered Play Therapy: Strategies for Continuity
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a common issue many of us face every year—how to handle requests from parents to take a break from therapy over the summer. Ethan from Virginia wrote in with a question about managing this situation when parents...
The Power of Boundaries in Child-Centered Play Therapy: Managing Separation Anxiety
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a question from Jonathan, whos client wanted to leave the playroom to see her grandmother in the second session. I explore the challenges of handling this situation using the child-centered protocol. We discuss...
Understanding Child Adjustment Through Play: Lessons from The Art of the Relationship and Moustakas’ Research
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I continue our Summer School Series by diving into a unique section from Garry Landreth's The Art of the Relationship, focusing on Moustakas' research about the differences in play between adjusted and maladjusted children....