S3E20 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Self-Fulfilling Prophecy (How Child-Centered Play Therapy Changes the Story)

In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I explain the concept of self-fulfilling prophecy and how it shapes a child's behavior, identity, and sense of self. Children often become what the people in their lives expect them to be — not because those expectations are spoken directly, but because they're communicated through tone, reactions, labels, and assumptions. I talk about how easily children become branded as "the bad kid," "the quiet kid," or "the problem kid," and how those expectations quietly limit who they believe they can become.

I also explain why child-centered play therapy works so differently. In the playroom, children are not defined by past behavior or labels. They are seen as capable, growing, and becoming. When a child experiences unconditional acceptance paired with belief in their capacity to change, that message becomes powerful. This episode helps parents understand how expectations influence behavior — and how shifting those expectations can change the entire trajectory of a child's growth.

Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com My Book: Device Detox: A Parent's Guide To Reducing Usage, Preventing Tantrums, And Raising Happier Kids - https://a.co/d/bThnKH9 Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

Common References: Landreth, G.L. (2023). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship (4th ed.). Routledge. Landreth, G.L., & Bratton, S.C. (2019). Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT): An Evidence-Based 10-Session Filial Therapy Model (2nd ed.). Routledge.