181 | The Addiction We're Ignoring: Screen Time and Child Mental Health

Episode summary

In this episode, I dive deep into a concerning trend in child and adolescent psychotherapy: the use of video games in therapy. I address an email from Carolyn in Vermont, who asks about therapists using video games to engage "difficult" clients, often using person-centered language to justify this approach.

I express my strong concerns about this practice, arguing that it dilutes the essence of therapy and may stem from laziness. I emphasize the importance of emotional engagement in child therapy, especially from a child-centered model, and highlight the potential harm of increased screen time for children who may already be addicted to video games.