445 | When Sexualized Play Challenges Your CCPT Adherence

Episode summary

In this episode, I answer a question about a seven-year-old girl whose play has become increasingly focused on romantic relationships and sexual themes. When a child begins acting out kissing, adult relationships, or other behaviors that make us uncomfortable, how do we respond while remaining faithful to the CCPT model? I explain why children sometimes use play to process things they've been exposed to but aren't developmentally equipped to understand. Rather than assuming something inappropriate has happened or trying to interpret the play, we need to recognize that the child is bringing this into the therapeutic relationship for a reason. If the behavior doesn't warrant a limit based on safety or protecting property, our responsibility is to allow the play to continue.

I also explore what happens when our own discomfort begins influencing our clinical decisions. In this case, the therapist acknowledged that she became uncomfortable, set an unnecessary limit, and ultimately redirected the child's play. I explain why these moments are opportunities for self-examination rather than self-criticism. What was happening internally that made it difficult to remain accepting? Why did we feel compelled to intervene? CCPT requires us to continually examine our own reactions so they don't interfere with the child's process. We don't have to understand, enjoy, or feel comfortable with everything that happens in the playroom. We do have to trust the child, trust the model, and remain committed to unconditional acceptance—even when the play challenges us.