Summer Breaks in Child-Centered Play Therapy: Strategies for Continuity

Aug 29, 2024

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a common issue many of us face every year—how to handle requests from parents to take a break from therapy over the summer. Ethan from Virginia wrote in with a question about managing this situation when parents want to pause sessions due to scheduling conflicts like camps, vacations, and other summer activities. I discuss the potential impact of long breaks on a child’s therapeutic progress, the importance of honest communication with parents, and the options available when families want to take time off. I also emphasize the importance of resuming therapy before the school year begins to help ease the transition back to school.

I offer practical strategies for reducing the frequency of sessions instead of stopping them altogether and share how to navigate these conversations with parents in a way that supports the child’s ongoing development. This episode is a valuable resource as you prepare for the inevitable summer break requests each year.Sign up for my exclusive newsletter at playtherapynow.com. Stay ahead with the latest CCPT CEU courses, personalized coaching opportunities and other opportunities you need to thrive in your CCPT practice!

If you would like to ask me questions directly, check out www.ccptcollective.com, where I host two weekly Zoom calls filled with advanced CCPT case studies and session reviews, as well as member Q&A. You can take advantage of the two-week free trial to see if the CCPT Collective is right for you.

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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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