187 | When Therapy is Cut Short: Understanding the Impact on Stages and Phases

Episode summary

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I respond to a listener question from Terri in Ireland, who is navigating the challenges of a truncated therapeutic process. Terri shares her experience with two clients whose sessions were limited due to her training circumstances, and she wonders about the impact on the stages and phases of therapy. Together, we explore how children adapt their therapeutic work when faced with a shortened timeline and how important it is to recognize that the stages and phases of therapy are not always linear or predictable.

I emphasize that while the stages and phases of child-centered play therapy can guide us, they should not be viewed as rigid rules. Each child progresses at their own pace, and changes in their play or behavior often signify important shifts in their therapeutic journey. We also discuss how children may skip stages or phases, only to return to them later, and how critical it is to focus on the significance of any changes in their play rather than trying to precisely categorize their progress.