Play Therapy Podcast

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I continue our summer school series by diving into the eighth and final principle from Gary Landreth's "Innovations in Play Therapy." This principle focuses on establishing therapeutic limits that help children accept personal and appropriate relationship responsibility.  I explore the importance of setting limits in child-centered play therapy, emphasizing how these limits provide security and safety within the therapeutic relationship. I discuss the balance between granting autonomy and setting necessary boundaries, and how this approach helps children develop self-discipline and self-control. Throughout the episode, I highlight the significance of maintaining neutrality when setting limits, the importance of being a helpful authority figure, and the critical role of the therapist's personality characteristics and interpersonal skills in building a therapeutic relationship. I conclude by reminding listeners that it's not just about techniques or materials, but about who you are as a therapist that truly makes a difference in the healing process. Episode Reference: Landreth, G. L. (Ed.). (2001). Innovations in play therapy: Issues, process, and special populations. Brunner-Routledge.   Sign up for my exclusive newsletter at playtherapynow.com. Stay ahead with the latest CCPT CEU courses, personalized coaching opportunities and other opportunities you need to thrive in your CCPT practice! 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.

In this episode... First of all, I'm thrilled to celebrate a major milestone with you all - the Play Therapy Podcast has reached 300,000 downloads! I'm deeply grateful for your continued support and dedication to child-centered play therapy. Your commitment to listening and applying these principles in your work with children and families is truly inspiring.   Next, I address a question from Beth in Maryland about children using toys to amplify their voices in play therapy sessions. I explore three main reasons why children might engage in this behavior: to exert power and control, to relish the freedom of the playroom environment, and to emphasize important elements in their play. Each of these reasons provides valuable insights into the child's emotional state and needs during therapy.   Finally, I share some exciting news about upcoming training opportunities, including a comprehensive course on facilitating Child-Parent Relationship Training (CPRT) that we're developing. This course will provide certification and CEU credits for those interested in offering CPRT as a service in their practice. I also mention the availability of on-demand courses at www.childcenteredtraining.com for those looking to expand their skills in child-centered play therapy.   Sign up for my exclusive newsletter at playtherapynow.com. Stay ahead with the latest CCPT CEU courses, personalized coaching opportunities and other opportunities you need to thrive in your CCPT practice! If you would like to ask me questions directly, check out www.ccptcollective.com, where I host two weekly Zoom calls filled with advanced CCPT case studies and session reviews, as well as member Q&A. You can take advantage of the two-week free trial to see if the CCPT Collective is right for you. 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.

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I continue our summer school series, diving deep into the principles of effective play therapists as outlined in Landreth's "Innovations in play therapy: Issues, process, and special populations." book. We explore the sixth and seventh principles, which focus on trusting the child's inner direction and appreciating the gradual nature of the therapeutic process.   I discuss the importance of allowing children to lead in all areas of the relationship and resisting the urge to direct their play or conversation. This approach conveys to children that they are worthwhile and important, fostering their ability to make their own decisions. I also emphasize the need to be patient with the therapeutic process, understanding that meaningful change must come from within the child and cannot be rushed.   Throughout the episode, I draw connections between these principles and the pillars of child-centered play therapy, highlighting how they all work together to create a robust and effective framework for helping children. I share personal insights and experiences to illustrate these concepts, including common challenges therapists may face when working with children and their families.   Episode Reference: Landreth, G. L. (Ed.). (2001). Innovations in play therapy: Issues, process, and special populations. Brunner-Routledge.   Sign up for my exclusive newsletter at playtherapynow.com. Stay ahead with the latest CCPT CEU courses, personalized coaching opportunities and other opportunities you need to thrive in your CCPT practice! 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.

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I dive into a mini lightning round, answering five questions from three different listeners.  Before getting into the Q&A, I share a heartwarming email from Tammy in Ireland, who recounts her early experiences with child-centered play therapy (CCPT) and the amazing progress she witnessed in a young client. For our lightning round, I address the following questions: • Gabby from South Africa asks about the importance of parental support in CCPT, especially when working with children from challenging backgrounds. • Texie from Michigan poses three questions:   1. How to manage suicidal ideation in young children within CCPT   2. Dealing with very young kids who don't want to stay in the playroom   3. The impact of CCPT on children with prenatal substance exposure • Stephanie from Massachusetts inquires about my thoughts on ADHD diagnosis and treatment in children, including the validity of the diagnosis and medication use. Throughout the episode, I share my professional insights, experiences, and opinions on these topics, emphasizing the importance of understanding children's behaviors in context and advocating for their best interests. I also touch on the overdiagnosis and overmedication of ADHD, offering my perspective on alternative approaches through CCPT.   If you would like to ask me questions directly, check out www.ccptcollective.com, where I host two weekly Zoom calls filled with advanced CCPT case studies and session reviews, as well as member Q&A. You can take advantage of the two-week free trial to see if the CCPT Collective is right for you. 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.

In this episode, I continue our summer school series on essential principles for effective play therapists. We explore two key principles from Garry Landreth's "Innovations in Play Therapy": 1. Being sensitive to the child's feelings and reflecting them to foster self-understanding. 2. Believing deeply in the child's ability to act responsibly and solve personal problems. I discuss how these principles align with core child-centered play therapy skills, including reflecting feelings and returning responsibility to the child. We delve into the importance of serving as a bridge between a child's emotions and cognition, and the value of trusting in a child's innate drive towards growth. Throughout the episode, I emphasize the rewarding nature of this work and encourage fellow therapists to embrace the challenges of child-centered play therapy. Sign up for my exclusive newsletter at playtherapynow.com. Stay ahead with the latest CCPT CEU courses, personalized coaching opportunities and other opportunities you need to thrive in your CCPT practice! 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.

In this episode, I answer questions from Sarah, a school therapist in Florida. Sarah's role as an in-school therapist for a therapeutic unit presents unique challenges, and I'm excited to address her questions about play therapy. I start by reassuring therapists that you don't need specific credentials to be an effective play therapist. The key is focusing on the relationship with the child and adhering to child-centered play therapy (CCPT) principles. Next, I discuss why we don't explicitly teach self-regulation techniques in CCPT, explaining that children naturally develop these skills through the therapeutic process. I also tackle the important question of whether CCPT can help children currently experiencing trauma. I emphasize that even when a child's circumstances don't change, play therapy helps build resilience, coping skills, and emotional regulation. Finally, I address the challenging scenario of dealing with destructive behavior in the playroom, offering specific strategies for setting limits and maintaining the therapeutic environment. If you would like to ask me questions directly, check out www.ccptcollective.com, where I host two weekly Zoom calls filled with advanced CCPT case studies and session reviews, as well as member Q&A. You can take advantage of the two-week free trial to see if the CCPT Collective is right for you. 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.

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I continue our summer school series on the essential personality characteristics of effective play therapists. We dive into the second and third principles: unconditional acceptance and creating safety and permissiveness in the relationship, from Garry Landreth's book "Innovations in Play Therapy." I discuss how unconditional acceptance involves experiencing unqualified acceptance of the child without wishing they were different. This requires patience, flexibility, and creativity from the therapist. I discuss the importance of avoiding judgment, welcoming the child's choices, and meeting them where they are. I emphasize the need to have goals and ideas for therapy without holding specific expectations that could lead to disappointment. The third principle focuses on creating a feeling of safety and permissiveness in the therapeutic relationship. I explain how this allows children to explore and express themselves fully. We examine the importance of being predictable, steady, consistent, and honest as therapists. I highlight key traits like being patient, friendly, calm, self-confident, and in control to provide emotional safety for the child. Throughout the episode, I stress the significant role our personalities play in child-centered play therapy and the importance of developing these essential characteristics to create successful therapeutic relationships with children. Episode Reference: Landreth, G. L. (Ed.). (2001). Innovations in play therapy: Issues, process, and special populations. Brunner-Routledge.   Sign up for my exclusive newsletter at playtherapynow.com. Stay ahead with the latest CCPT CEU courses, personalized coaching opportunities and other opportunities you need to thrive in your CCPT practice! 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.

In this episode, I answer a question from Julia in New York about handling situations where a child tells us to "leave them alone" or "don't talk to me" during play therapy sessions. I explore two possible reasons for this behavior: resistance or power and control issues. I explain how to distinguish between these based on the child's tone and overall demeanor. I discuss various strategies for responding to such requests, including pacing out responses, whispering, and explaining the purpose of our verbal interactions. I emphasize the importance of maintaining the full session time, even if the child expresses a desire to end early. I also touch on the concept of enlargement - helping children understand the emotions driving their behavior. If you would like to ask me questions directly, check out www.ccptcollective.com, where I host two weekly Zoom calls filled with advanced CCPT case studies and session reviews, as well as member Q&A. You can take advantage of the two-week free trial to see if the CCPT Collective is right for you. 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.

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I dive into the essential personality characteristics of effective play therapists. Drawing from Garry Landreth's book "Innovations in Play Therapy," I discuss the first of Virginia Axline's eight basic principles that guide interactions with children in play therapy. The first principle: the therapist's genuine interest in the child and the development of a warm, caring relationship. We discuss the importance of emotional maturity, stability, and skill in play therapists, as well as the ongoing process of self-discovery and acceptance. Finally, I highlight the challenging nature of child-centered play therapy and the significance of "being there" for the child - not just physically, but emotionally and psychologically. This episode serves as a reminder that to effectively help children, we must first understand and work on ourselves. Episode Reference: Landreth, G. L. (Ed.). (2001). Innovations in play therapy: Issues, process, and special populations. Brunner-Routledge.   Sign up for my exclusive newsletter at playtherapynow.com. Stay ahead with the latest CCPT CEU courses, personalized coaching opportunities and other opportunities you need to thrive in your CCPT practice! 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.

In this episode, I dive into a question from Ethan in Virginia about understanding the "why" behind a child's behavior in play therapy. As someone who frequently emphasizes the importance of knowing the why, I share my thoughts on developing this crucial skill. I begin by reassuring listeners that while understanding the why is important, play therapy can still be effective even when we don't fully grasp it. The child-centered process trusts that the child inherently knows what they need to do, whether consciously or subconsciously. I discuss several scenarios Ethan presented, explaining how we can use reflective responses and therapeutic techniques even when we're unsure of the underlying reasons for a child's actions. To develop the ability to understand the why, I suggest falling back on our knowledge of human behavior and thinking about motives behind emotions and actions. I emphasize the importance of considering broad picture analysis, such as understanding the connection between anxiety and control. While experience certainly helps, I stress that improving this skill requires consistent effort and intentional practice.   If you would like to ask me questions directly, check out www.ccptcollective.com, where I host two weekly Zoom calls filled with advanced CCPT case studies and session reviews, as well as member Q&A. You can take advantage of the two-week free trial to see if the CCPT Collective is right for you. 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.