278 | CCPT Purism: The Core Tenets & Conditions That Shaped Child-Centered Play Therapy

Mar 11, 2025

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In this episode, I continue the CCPT Purism series with a deep dive into the core tenets and core conditions of Child-Centered Play Therapy. I walk through Rogers' foundational ideas—including the tendency to actualize, self-concept, and the organismic valuing process—and explain how these principles shape our understanding of children and the healing power of the therapeutic relationship.

I also break down the three core conditions Rogers identified as necessary for growth: unconditional positive regard, empathy, and congruence. These are not techniques to apply—they are ways of being that must be consistently present in our relationships with children. If we want to be CCPT therapists—not just practice CCPT—we have to embody these principles in everything we do. Finally, I challenge you to consider Rogers' tenets and conditions to reflect on where you are in your own CCPT journey and how to move closer to full alignment with the model.

Episode References:

Rogers, C. R. (1951). Client-centered therapy: Its current practice, implications and theory. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin. Rogers, C. R. (1961). On becoming a person: A therapist’s view of psychotherapy. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.
Rogers, C. R. (1980). A way of being. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin. Kirschenbaum, H., & Henderson, V. L. (Eds.). (1990). The Carl Rogers reader. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.
Thorne, B. (2003). Carl Rogers (2nd ed.). London, UK: SAGE Publications.
Mearns, D., & Thorne, B. (2007). Person-centred counselling in action (3rd ed.). London, UK: SAGE Publications.
Cooper, M., O’Hara, M., Schmid, P. F., & Bohart, A. C. (Eds.). (2013). The handbook of person-centered psychotherapy and counseling (2nd ed.). London, UK: Palgrave Macmillan.

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Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com Brenna's CCPT Hub: https://www.playtherapynow.com CCPT Collective (online community exclusively for CCPTs): https://www.ccptcollective.com Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com APT Approved Play Therapy CE courses: https://childcenteredtraining.com Twitter: @thekidcounselor https://twitter.com/thekidcounselor Facebook: https://facebook.com/playtherapypodcast

Common 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. (2023). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship (4th ed.). 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.