Play Therapy Podcast

A listener from the UK emailed me with questions about a client on the autism spectrum. She is feeling "stuck" and was looking for some advice.    In this episode, I talk about the following topics:   Progress with ASD kids takes longer The proper use of "I wonder" statements Play with kids on the spectrum looks different Feeling "pressure" to get results Staying true to the child-centered model (don't deviate!!) However small, document progress with the presenting problems Never child-centered play therapy - plus, something else!   Pro Tip: 5 Tips For Working With Children On The Autism Spectrum From A Child-Centered Play Therapy Approach https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SnBPYy0gR0   Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com Play Therapy Training HQ: https://www.playtherapynow.com Email me: brenna@thekidcounselor.com Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor   https://twitter.com/thekidcounselor     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 cover the Store and Shopping Theme. This theme falls under the Nurturing Theme category of themes in play therapy.  In addition to discussing this theme in play sessions and its meanings, I discuss "parallel tracks" with other themes, such as the Power and Control theme.   Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com Play Therapy Training HQ: https://www.playtherapynow.com Email me: brenna@thekidcounselor.com Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor   https://twitter.com/thekidcounselor   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.

Ethan from VA emailed me a question asking what play therapy theme board game play falls under. Secondly, Ethan asked what theme it is if the child makes up a game.  The answer is not as simple as board game play falls under a specific theme.  In this episode, I'll tell you what you should look at instead.   Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com Play Therapy Training HQ: https://www.playtherapynow.com Email me: brenna@thekidcounselor.com Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor   https://twitter.com/thekidcounselor     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 dive into Neglect, Abuse, or Punishment of Self Themes in Play Therapy. I discuss examples of how this theme manifests in play, the differences between similar themes, and how to differentiate between them.   My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/ Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com Play Therapy Training HQ: https://www.playtherapynow.com Email me: brenna@thekidcounselor.com Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor   https://twitter.com/thekidcounselor     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.

Listener Yanna, in MA, emailed me asking about a client who has severe anxiety related to germs, possibly related to the pandemic. I've posted her email below.   "I am hoping you could provide some child-centered strategies and feedback on how to best support my client. I have been working with a 7-year female since February for anxiety. The presenting problems consist of fear of vomit, germs, mold in food, and getting sick. Based on my clinician assessment, I believe this trauma response from the pandemic as this child lost a couple of family members. However, I am feeling lots of pressure from parents as her anxiety symptoms have worsened since summer is approaching. More specifically, a child is refusing to go to summer camp, eating lunch in the cafeteria, and at times refusing to go outside. Parents also shared that clients began to wash their hands constantly throughout the day because of germs. Parents also reported client requires lots of reassurance that she will not get sick. I am concerned about an OCD diagnosis but have not discussed it with parents yet. In the playroom, we have established great rapport and trust however I am concerned the client remains in the resistance stage. Her play consists of arts and crafts, drawing, and coloring- All very pretty things like hearts, flowers, etc. I have opened the door for her to feel safe playing out or sharing scary feelings and I had said statements such as "You know this is a space where you play and share anything you want, even very scary feelings about germs" She has not taken these opportunities and becomes very guarded/avoidant when I say these statements. I know that she may not be ready to do the work, but I am wondering if I should be doing something else? some folks in the field are recommending transition to directed play therapy but I want to remain true to CCPT. I have increased our sessions to twice a week because her anxiety symptoms are worsening."   In this episode, I give my feedback and hit on the following topics:   Articulating the play therapy process Resistance vs "comfort play" Why child-centered "plus" damages the relationship "Things always get worse before they get better" Ideal vs actual     Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com Play Therapy Training HQ: https://www.playtherapynow.com Email me: brenna@thekidcounselor.com Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor   https://twitter.com/thekidcounselor     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.

Failed Nurturing, essentially, is any time a child uses nurturing activities but they are negative towards the person being nurtured.  This can manifest in withholding nurturing or neglecting the person.  In this episode, I discuss different meanings of the failed nurturing theme.   Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com Play Therapy Training HQ: https://www.playtherapynow.com Email me: brenna@thekidcounselor.com Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor   https://twitter.com/thekidcounselor     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.

Listener Cheryl emailed me with the following question: "How does a child with Oppositional Defiance Disorder heal through CCPT? I have one child I’m seeing that seems to have these symptoms, and so I have recently started CCPT with him, and it seems he is expressing more anger in his play each time (battles with ninja guys). He was very tentative at first, and now he can use the word dead."   In this episode, I discuss the following topics related to child-centered play therapy and how children diagnosed with ODD heal:   Self-control and self-regulation The "power shift" that takes place during play sessions Internal locus of control The four universal outcomes of play therapy     Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com Play Therapy Training HQ: https://www.playtherapynow.com Email me: brenna@thekidcounselor.com Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor   https://twitter.com/thekidcounselor     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 talk about the distinction between nurturing and self-nurturing themes. I also discuss the following topics related to self-nurturing play:   The child uses infantile baby toys to comfort themselves The child needs nurturing but don't believe or trust that someone can provide it Uses self-nurturing to comfort after deep, difficult play Missing healthy attachment   Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com Play Therapy Training HQ: https://www.playtherapynow.com Email me: brenna@thekidcounselor.com Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor   https://twitter.com/thekidcounselor     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.

Brooke in Utah & Cheryl in California both emailed me with questions that overlap in content, so I'm doing a double Q&A this episode! Brooke asked what goals and objectives I document and what wording I use that reflects CCPT tenants. Cheryl asked how I go about diagnosing children for reimbursement. Thank you so much for these questions!   Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com Play Therapy Training HQ: https://www.playtherapynow.com Email me: brenna@thekidcounselor.com Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor   https://twitter.com/thekidcounselor     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 cover another in the Family & Nurturing category of play therapy themes... The Nurturing Theme. This is generally one of the later themes to emerge in a child's play over a complete treatment cycle, and it is very significant to notice when it does. Nurturing Theme is sometimes referred to as the Caregiving Theme.   Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com Play Therapy Training HQ: https://www.playtherapynow.com Email me: brenna@thekidcounselor.com Follow me on Twitter: @thekidcounselor   https://twitter.com/thekidcounselor       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.