Play Therapy Podcast

In this episode, we take a pause from my planned curriculum to address a crucial skill that many therapists find challenging: limit setting in child-centered play therapy. Over the next two weeks, we will explore this topic in depth, aiming to refine and enhance your limit-setting techniques. Limit setting in therapy sessions is a multifaceted skill that integrates the ability to reflect feelings, communicate limits neutrally, and provide viable choices. Despite its complexity, mastering this skill is vital for effective therapy, especially as it is less frequently practiced compared to other techniques like reflecting feelings or encouraging children. This rarity can make each instance of limit setting feel urgent and high-pressure, particularly in situations where immediate behavioral management is required. Today’s discussion unpacks the reasons why therapists often struggle with this skill and suggests practical strategies to improve. We delve into the importance of practicing empowerment choices—simple decisions given to children that enhance their sense of control. This practice not only boosts children's confidence but also helps therapists become more adept at the seamless integration of choices into limit-setting scenarios. Join me as I lay the groundwork for next week's continuation of this topic, where we will focus more on practicing and refining the specific steps involved in effective limit setting. This series aims to provide you with the tools and confidence needed to tackle one of the more complex aspects of child-centered play therapy, ensuring that you can support your young clients in the most effective manner possible. 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://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 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. (2002). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (2nd ed.). Brunner-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 tackle a nuanced situation shared by Nell from Maryland, a play therapist working with an 11-year-old client who does not speak during therapy sessions. Despite not being diagnosed as selectively mute, the child exhibits behaviors akin to selective mutism, engaging in play but not verbal communication.   While the child's parents are fixated on verbalization as the primary goal, I offer a crucial reframing. I also discuss the child's interaction with toys, particularly stuffed animals, to communicate and express themselves, highlighting the significant progress this represents.   My advice to Nell and all child-centered play therapists is twofold: first, we must clearly set expectations with parents from the start, helping them understand the stages, timelines, and principles of this therapeutic approach. Second, we must remain unwavering in our commitment to those principles, respectfully yet firmly guiding parents to trust the process and our clinical expertise. Forcing verbalization would undermine the child-led nature that allows for organic healing.   This discussion reminds us of the transformative power of patience, understanding, and adherence to the child-centered play therapy model.   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://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   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. (2002). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (2nd ed.). Brunner-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 today's episode, I start the first episode in a new series on advanced CCPT concepts. Today I'm discussing a metaphor/story that I tell parents during consultations that I refer to as the Reverse Pandora's Box. This idea is crucial for understanding the natural process of regression and progress in therapy. Drawing from the mythological story of Pandora's Box, where once opened, it unleashed uncontrollable chaos, I discuss how the reverse is true in child-centered play therapy. Children, after gaining new coping skills, resilience, and emotional vocabulary, may exhibit regressive behaviors, which does not indicate a loss of progress but rather a reevaluation of old patterns. This episode explains why children might revisit previous behaviors and how this reflects their integration of new skills and readiness to move forward. This metaphor offers reassurance to parents, emphasizing that regression is not a step back but a part of the child's journey towards lasting change and growth. Join me as we explore how to support children through this process, ensuring parents understand that their child will never start over from square one because of the enduring impact of therapy.   Please sign up for my email newsletter at www.playtherapynow.com. It's how I notify you of things that I don't necessarily talk about during the podcast. So don't miss out... sign up today!     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://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   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. (2002). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (2nd ed.). Brunner-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 today's episode, I answer a question from Summer in Illinois.  She asked about the use of board games in the playroom. As a tool in child-centered play therapy, board games serve as a conduit for emotional growth, problem-solving, and social interaction. This episode's content highlights how the structured nature of board games can be leveraged to foster meaningful therapeutic outcomes. I also go over the most common questions I get about board games in the playroom, such as cheating, power and control, and how it applies to my concept of the "power pendulum."   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://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   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. (2002). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (2nd ed.). Brunner-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 the discussion into the child-centered filial approach within play therapy. I recently conducted a filial CEU course, and I want to share the insights I learned from participant feedback. I identified six key takeaways, offering valuable perspectives for integrating CPRT (Child-Centered Play Therapy) into practice. Highlights include the importance of vetting parents for suitability, clarifying that CPRT is distinct from couples counseling, and emphasizing the effectiveness of CPRT based on shared principles with CPT. I talk about the potential pitfalls of combining CCPT and CPRT simultaneously, the heightened impact of parent involvement, and the structured framework CPRT provides for empowering parents.   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://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   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. (2002). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (2nd ed.). Brunner-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 address a question from Marian in Ireland regarding the Touchstone story, a method sometimes used in initial therapy sessions. While acknowledging the intention behind the Touchstone story, I delve into why it doesn't align with child-centered play therapy principles. Instead, I propose ways to achieve similar goals through child-centered approaches. I emphasize the importance of creating a safe and comfortable environment for children in their initial sessions, focusing on building rapport and trust. I also discuss how to approach the topic of parental involvement and sharing information with children, emphasizing the child's autonomy and the therapist's role in facilitating a positive therapeutic experience.   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://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   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. (2002). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (2nd ed.). Brunner-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 cover the goals of filial therapy. I'm focusing primarily on the Child-Parent Relationship Training (CPRT) model. Facilitators need to understand the importance of these goals for parents, children, and the therapist. For parents, the goals of filial therapy include gaining tools, knowledge, and a new way of interacting with their children, ultimately leading to a stronger parent-child relationship. Children, on the other hand, benefit from learning to self-regulate, behaving in more self-enhancing ways, and feeling validated and understood by their parents. As therapists, our goals involve serving as liaisons between parents and children, facilitating connection, and providing a framework for effective parenting. Ultimately, CPRT offers a foundation for parenting and a deeper understanding of children's emotions and behaviors, fostering stronger family dynamics. If you're considering integrating filial therapy into your practice, understanding these goals is important for success in your work with the family.   Ask Me Questions:  Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com CCPT Collective (online community exclusively for CCPTs): https://ccptcollective.com Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com Play Therapy Training HQ: https://www.playtherapynow.com APT Approved Play Therapy CE courses: https://childcenteredtraining.com Twitter: @thekidcounselor   https://twitter.com/thekidcounselor Facebook: https://facebook.com/playtherapypodcast   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. (2002). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (2nd ed.). Brunner-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.

Lightning Round Q&A #4! - Four listeners contacted me with five questions, so here we go with Lightning Round #4.  I'm so grateful to you and your investment in child-centered play therapy.  You are why I do this podcast.  Thank you for your emails and phone calls.   Here is a summary of the questions: Pamela from Texas - The child keeps getting "bad" behavior notes from school. When do we know that a child has moved into the Termination Phase Rattanyoo (Bonus) from Thailand - How to handle challenging behavior by a client (lying, stealing, etc.) "J" from California - Why child-centered is more effective than directive methods Lexi from Minnesota - How to adapt a playroom with desk and closet, Use of safety plans, making messes, asked to close eyes, setting boundaries with the child   Ask Me Questions:  Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com CCPT Collective (online community exclusively for CCPTs): https://ccptcollective.com Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com Play Therapy Training HQ: https://www.playtherapynow.com APT Approved Play Therapy CE courses: https://childcenteredtraining.com Twitter: @thekidcounselor   https://twitter.com/thekidcounselor Facebook: https://facebook.com/playtherapypodcast   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. (2002). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (2nd ed.). Brunner-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, we delve into filial therapy, continuing our exploration of working with parents and families. Filial therapy, derived from the Latin word for family, encompasses various theoretical orientations, with our focus being on the child-centered approach. I emphasize the importance of empirical support in our work and highlight statistics indicating that active parental engagement leads to better outcomes. Notably, parents utilizing play therapy skills with their children have shown to be even more effective than therapists. I'm going to briefly introduce Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) as a structured approach for therapists seeking to incorporate filial therapy into their practice. Through CPRT, parents are trained to conduct play sessions with their children, fostering healing and growth within the family system. By empowering both children and parents, filial therapy offers a holistic approach to fostering change and enhancing family dynamics.   Ask Me Questions:  Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com CCPT Collective (online community exclusively for CCPTs): https://ccptcollective.com Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com Play Therapy Training HQ: https://www.playtherapynow.com APT Approved Play Therapy CE courses: https://childcenteredtraining.com Twitter: @thekidcounselor   https://twitter.com/thekidcounselor Facebook: https://facebook.com/playtherapypodcast   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. (2002). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (2nd ed.). Brunner-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 today's episode, we dive into a question from Ariana about children's consistent play themes of battles and fights in therapy sessions. Ariana shares her experiences with clients repeatedly setting up battle scenes with varying degrees of aggression, leading to character deaths each time. We explore interpretations of this repetitive play, including themes of power and control, dominance, means to an end, destruction, and third-person aggression. Additionally, we discuss the significance of documenting repetition and recognizing shifts in play narratives. Ultimately, our goal is to provide children with the space and support to explore and process their emotions within the therapeutic relationship.   Ask Me Questions:  Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com CCPT Collective (online community exclusively for CCPTs): https://ccptcollective.com Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com Email Newsletter HQ: https://www.playtherapynow.com APT Approved Play Therapy CE courses: https://childcenteredtraining.com Twitter: @thekidcounselor   https://twitter.com/thekidcounselor Facebook: https://facebook.com/playtherapypodcast   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. (2002). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (2nd ed.). Brunner-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.