When Directive Play Therapy Backfires: A Case for CCPT

Mar 7, 2025

In this episode, I respond to a question from Sasha in Oregon about a challenging session with a 9-year-old client. She attempted to incorporate directive techniques to help him process his anger, but he resisted by shutting down and saying “no” to everything. This led to frustration and uncertainty about whether CCPT would be more effective.

I break down why directive interventions don’t work for children, how questions and cognitive approaches pull kids out of the emotional processing they need, and why CCPT allows healing to happen naturally. I also address why parents should not be in the playroom, the importance of honoring confidentiality, and how to handle resistance in a way that builds trust rather than increasing power struggles. If you’ve ever wondered whether you should guide a child toward coping strategies or let them lead the process, this episode will clarify why full CCPT adherence is key to real therapeutic progress.

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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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