182. Climbing the Mountain: A Holistic Approach to Family Play Therapy with “Dr. Sassy” (Stacy Jagger)
Dec 17, 2024
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Stacy Jagger, affectionately known as "Dr. Sassy," is the founder and clinical director of Music City Family Therapy and creator of the Mountain Method. In a lively discussion, she emphasizes the importance of viewing the entire family as the client in therapy. Dr. Stacy breaks down her holistic approach, including engaging reluctant family members and nurturing creativity in sessions. The conversation highlights how reconnecting parents with their inner child can vastly improve family dynamics, fostering deeper connections and joyful healing.
The Mountain Method emphasizes treating the family system as a whole, leading to more transformative outcomes in therapy sessions.
Therapists are encouraged to embrace creativity and their inner child to foster deeper connections and enhance the therapeutic experience.
Deep dives
Annual Holiday Sale Announcement
An annual two-day holiday sale allows participants to enjoy a 50% discount on 22 online courses offered by the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute. Scheduled for December 30th and 31st, this sale presents a unique opportunity for interested individuals to enhance their skills in play therapy. By visiting learn.synergeticplaytherapy, potential participants can find detailed information about the courses included in the sale. This event highlights the commitment of the institute to making vital learning resources more accessible to a broader audience.
Focus on Family Systems in Therapy
A significant shift in the approach to therapy focuses on treating the family system rather than solely the individual child. Many play therapists typically concentrate on the child as the client, but integrating family dynamics broadens the scope and effectiveness of the therapeutic process. Dr. Stacey Jagger emphasizes that real change in a child often requires a corresponding change in the parents or caregivers, highlighting the necessity of involving them in therapy sessions. This comprehensive approach not only aids in individual healing but also fosters a healthier familial environment conducive to long-term well-being.
Artistry in Therapeutic Practice
Therapeutic practice is approached as an art form, where creativity and intuition play pivotal roles in effective family therapy. Dr. Jagger advocates for therapists to embrace their unique creative expressions, whether through movement, music, or storytelling, to connect more deeply with their clients. This artistic perspective allows therapists to adapt their methods based on the family's needs, fostering organic interactions that can lead to meaningful breakthroughs. By permitting oneself to stray from rigid protocols, therapists can cultivate a more engaging and dynamic therapy environment.
Reconnecting with the Inner Child
Encouraging therapists to reconnect with their inner child is central to enhancing their effectiveness in the playroom. Both Dr. Jagger and the discussion highlight the importance of embracing playfulness and creativity within oneself to foster similar qualities in clients. Engaging with one's own history of play not only revitalizes the therapist but also sets a precedent for clients, paving the way for joyous and liberating experiences during therapy. Recognizing and nurturing this part of themselves can mitigate feelings of burnout and enhance the overall therapeutic experience for both therapists and families.
"Working with families isn’t about fixing individuals; it’s about finding the rhythm where everyone can grow together." – Dr. Stacy Jagger
In this episode, Lisa welcomes back the inspiring Dr. Stacy Jagger, affectionately known as “Dr. Sassy,” to dive into a topic that has shockingly never been fully explored in the series: working with the entire family system in play therapy. With her groundbreaking Mountain Method and a reputation for blending bold truth-telling with heartfelt humor, Dr. Stacy shares her unique approach to supporting families as a unit, rather than focusing solely on the child as the client.
Together, Lisa and Dr. Stacy discuss:
Reframing the family as the client: Why working with the entire system transforms outcomes.
A step-by-step roadmap: The Mountain Method’s stages and how to engage every family member in the healing journey.
The role of creativity and intuition: How therapists can embrace their inner artist to navigate family dynamics.
Addressing resistance: Strategies for working with families who are hesitant to engage in the process.
Healing through play: The profound impact of helping parents reconnect with their own inner child to better connect with their children.
With her refreshing honesty and deep compassion, Dr. Stacy inspires therapists to think beyond traditional methods and reimagine what’s possible when the whole family becomes part of the healing process.
Join Lisa and Dr. Stacy for a conversation that’s as insightful as it is empowering, and discover practical tools and encouragement to bring more creativity, authenticity, and connection to your work with families.
Tune in to uncover how you, too, can support families in climbing their own mountains of transformation. 🌟
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