Podcast Episodes
Protection Play Theme in Play Therapy
In this episode, we're delving into the theme of Protection Play, the second segment within the safety play themes. It's crucial to distinguish Protection Play from Containing Play, ensuring a clear understanding. Protection Play is about safeguarding something or...
Child-Centered Healing: Trauma Processing in the Playroom
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a question from Marisol, a newcomer to play therapy, who's working in a community impacted by a traumatic school shooting incident. We delve into understanding trauma in the playroom, emphasizing that the...
Containing Play Theme In Play Therapy
In this episode, I start into the category of safety play by focusing on the first theme: containing play. I explore the five themes under safety play, emphasizing their focus on ensuring safety for a child or an identified character, often the child's archetype...
When Kids Want Out: Strategies For Play Therapists When Kids Try To Leave The Session Early
In this episode of the podcast, I answer an email from Nell in Maryland. Nell asks what to do when a child wants to leave the play therapy session early. When it rains, it pours... not only have I had a client do this to me this week, several therapists in my training...
Sorting Play Theme In Play Therapy
In this episode, we wrap up our exploration of the Control and Safety themes with a focus on 'sorting play.' I share an anecdote from my graduate school experience, illustrating what sorting play entails and its significance in a child's play process. Sorting play...
Therapist Dilemma: What To Do When A Child Falls Asleep In Session
In this episode, I addressed a question from a listener, Kianna in Pennsylvania, who is in an internship and recently inherited a playroom. She's working with three boys whose parents are going through a divorce, and one of the boys has been falling asleep during the...
Mess-Making Play Theme in Play Therapy
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I dive into the theme of mess making play in child-centered play therapy. Mess making play is when a child intentionally creates chaos and disorder within the therapeutic playroom. I explain that this behavior can manifest...
From Meltdowns to Milestones: Supporting Parents and Children in Play Therapy
In this episode, I respond to a question from Kaylee in Georgia regarding how to support parents in child-centered play therapy. It's crucial to prepare parents for the fact that behaviors can initially worsen before improving during therapy. This knowledge helps them...
Cleaning Play Theme In Play Therapy
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I'm excited to explore the cleaning play theme. As a child-centered play therapist, I've observed various ways children engage in this type of play, from physically cleaning toys to tidying up the playroom. I break down the...
The Art Of Not Answering: Remaining Child-Centered When Children Ask Questions In The Playroom
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a common concern from our listeners: how to handle children's questions during play sessions while maintaining a child-centered approach. Three listeners share their experiences and questions on this matter. Lily...
Instability Theme In Play Therapy
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, we're diving into the theme of instability. It's a theme that often partners up with others like good versus bad play or rescue play. Picture this: in a child's play, things are always on the edge of falling or falling...
How To Stay True To Child-Centered Play Therapy With Teens And Tweens
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, we dive into a question raised by three listeners: Nneka from England, Anna from Canada, and Grace from California. They're curious about adjusting child-centered play therapy for tweens and teens, a topic important as kids...
Bridge-Building Play Theme In Play Therapy
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I explore the world of bridge building play, a theme within the broader category of control and safety. Bridge building play isn't just about literal bridges; it includes structures children create to connect various...
Tuning In: The Power Of Tone Of Voice In Play Therapy
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I delve into a topic of the power of tone of voice in play therapy. A listener from Maryland named Batsheva posed an excellent question about how our tone can profoundly impact a therapy session. I discuss the significance...
Self-Fixing Theme In Play Therapy
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I delve into a significant theme: self fixing in the context of play therapy. We've explored fixing and failure to fix before, but self fixing presents a unique perspective. It's when a child perceives something broken...