Children Deserve Therapy: The Case for Child-Centered Play Therapy

Dec 13, 2024

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a question from Yehudis in New York about the growing belief that child therapy should be a “last resort” and that the focus should be on working with parents instead. I discuss why this perspective is misleading and share several compelling reasons why child-centered play therapy (CCPT) is essential for children, even when their external circumstances remain unchanged. I explain how CCPT gives children power and control, making them the agents of change within their families, and how they benefit from the four universal outcomes of CCPT: self-regulation, emotional vocabulary, self-esteem, and worldview.

I also talk about the importance of advocating for CCPT and why many therapists who favor working with parents may simply lack the training or understanding of how powerful and transformative child-centered therapy can be. This episode is a rallying call for play therapists to confidently communicate the value of their work and continue advocating for children’s right to healing, growth, and therapeutic support.

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Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: [email protected]
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APT Approved Play Therapy CE courses: https://childcenteredtraining.com
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References:

Cochran, N., Nordling, W., & Cochran, J. (2010). Child-Centered Play Therapy (1st ed.). Wiley.
VanFleet, R., Sywulak, A. E., & Sniscak, C. C. (2010). Child-centered play therapy. Guilford Press.
Landreth, G. L. (2002). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (2nd ed.). Brunner-Routledge.
Bratton, S. C., Landreth, G. L., Kellam, T., & Blackard, S. R. (2006). Child parent relationship therapy (CPRT) treatment manual: A 10-session filial therapy model for training parents. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.
Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

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