Just released!  “The Way of Play” – Book by Dr. Georgie Wisen-Vincent & Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, we recommend you get your copy today!

Could the key to raising resilient, connected kids be as simple as play?

Co-host Sue Marriott, with special guests, Tina Payne Bryson and Georgie Wisen-Vincent, discuss the relational neuroscience behind the powerful role of play in child development and its therapeutic benefits. Play fosters emotional resilience, strengthens parent-child attachment, and supports positive neuroplasticity. They bring in positive neuroplasticity, emotional discomfort and tons of very practical techniques.

Learn how embracing play can nurture emotional growth and empower both children and parents in meaningful ways.

“The oldest evolutionary pathways in the brain are nonverbal. Your actions always speak louder than words when it comes to your child’s mind.” – George Wisen-Vincent

Time Stamps for Playful Parenting: Building Resilience, Connection, and Joy Through Play (256)

03:08 The role of play in child development
08:57 Understanding resistance to play
14:50 The science behind play and attachment
21:12 Overcoming barriers to play
24:07 Practical techniques for parents
39:40 The importance of emotional discomfort
41:35 Over-functioning vs. scaffolding
58:31 Positive neuroplasticity through play

About our Guests

Georgie Wisen-Vincent, LMFT, RPT-S, ECMHS is a nationally recognized play therapy expert and co-author of the new book — THE WAY OF PLAY (Penguin Random House, January 2025). She is the Founder/Director of The Play Strong Institute, a center devoted to the study, research, and practice of play therapy through a neurodevelopment lens, along with Dr. Bryson, the Founder/Executive Director of The Center for Connection, a multidisciplinary clinical practice in Southern California. Georgie is also a child, adolescent, and family psychotherapist and maintains a private practice at The Center for Connection. A graduate professor at Santa Clara University and active researcher in childhood play, attachment science, and mental health, Georgie has been commissioned as a consultant, program designer, and lead trainer for several major organizations and frequently presents to educators, parents, and clinical professionals on play therapy, trauma resilience, and the power of play-driven learning. She completed advanced study in play therapy at the University of Roehampton, London. Georgie gained specialist endorsement in early childhood mental health after completing the UC Davis Napa Infant Mental Health Fellowship. She is currently in the final phase of her doctoral program, a PhD in Infant and Early Child Development, focused on neurodiversity and parent-child attachment relationships. Click here to view her more detailed bio.

You may already know Dr. Tina Payne Bryson from her two New York Times Best Sellers The Whole-Brain Child and No-Drama Discipline. They’re both co-authored with Dan Siegel and have been translated into over fifty languages. She and Siegel also wrote The Yes Brain and The Power of Showing Up, and Dr. Bryson is the author of The Bottom Line for Baby. Her new book, co-authored with Georgie Wisen-Vincent, is The Way of Play. Her books have sold over 3 million copies combined. Tina is also the Founder and Executive Director of The Center for Connection, a multidisciplinary mental health practice in Southern California. She keynotes conferences and conducts workshops for parents, educators, and clinicians all over the world. She also consults with schools, businesses, and other organizations, including the Nike Sport Research Lab (NSRL), where she is Project Director for Mental and Emotional Performance. Dr. Bryson earned her Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, where her research explored attachment science, childrearing theory, and the emerging field of interpersonal neurobiology.  The most important part of her bio, she says, is that she’s a mom to her three boys. You can learn more about her at TinaBryson.com. 

Resources for Playful Parenting: Building Resilience, Connection, and Joy Through Play (256)

PlayStrongInstitute.com – Official website for information and resources

Center for Connection – Official website for information and resources

Pre-Order the bonus page for their book – Click here!

Tina’s Amazon shop page – Click here for books, resources and other tools

Click to access Tina Payne Bryson’s Social Channels – Facebook, Instagram, Youtube & Twitter 

Georgie’s Instagram handle – @georgiewisenvincent

TinaBryson.com – Website for information and resources

Click here to subscribe to Tina Payne Bryson’s newsletter

How to contact Tina – Email info@tinabryson.com

How to contact Georgie – Email Georgie@thecenterforconnection.org

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Ann and Sue are presenting a clinical deep dive at the Psychotherapy Networker Symposium – March 20-23, 2025. Join us!

Rethinking Attachment – Using the Attachment Spectrum in Clinical Practice

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