Navigating End-of-Session Challenges: Taking Toys and Child Won’t Leave the Playroom

Dec 4, 2024

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a question from Jess in Florida about how to handle a child who refuses to leave the playroom after being asked to return a toy. Jess shares her experience with a seven-year-old client who initially resisted putting back a Lego treasure chest and then curled up on the floor, refusing to leave. I discuss how to set limits effectively within the child-centered play therapy (CCPT) model, emphasizing the importance of reflecting feelings, maintaining patience, and creating choices that empower the child to self-regulate.

I also provide strategies for situations where the session runs over time due to these challenges and how to manage communication with waiting parents and clients. This episode offers practical advice on limit setting and highlights the value of sticking to CCPT principles, even in difficult moments.

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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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