308 | Toileting Battles and the Need for Power: CCPT Parent Coaching
Listen to this episode
Episode summary
In this episode, I respond to a question from Rachel in Missouri about a 5½-year-old client who refuses to poop in the toilet and insists on using a pull-up. We explore how this long-standing habit is likely a reflection of control and vulnerability, and how Child-Centered Play Therapy can gently address the emotional drivers behind it.
I offer specific parent coaching strategies, including how to introduce a future transition date to allow the child time to adjust. I also explain how giving children limited choices—like choosing music or a book while using the toilet—can offer autonomy without re-engaging in power struggles. This episode is a practical case consultation focused on how CCPT principles guide both our clinical decisions and the way we support families through deeply rooted behavioral patterns.