A fundamental question of your practice as a play therapist, might be - “How do I support parents/caregivers in becoming the external regulator for their child?” With this mantra in mind to “treat the parent/caregiver how you would love the parent/caregiver to treat the child,” Lisa Dion tackles this very topic of how to support parents/caregivers in becoming their child’s external regulator.  In this Lessons from the Playroom episode, you’ll learn: How to support parents/caregivers when they themselves do not already have a template for regulation, or they don’t know how to do it well, or perhaps their own internal disorganization is activating their child’s disorganization and dysregulation.  How to help the parent/caregiver come to see that all behaviors are designed to support regulation (their child’s and their own). Four things you can do to help support and set the parent/caregiver up for success in becoming the external regulator for their child.  What to do if the parent/caregiver is not quite ready to develop the skills of being the external regulator.  Podcast Resources:  Synergetic Play Therapy Institute Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey  Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity * If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and invite your friends/fellow colleagues to join us.  

In this 102nd episode, Lisa is joined by special guest Dr. David Crenshaw for a touching and heartfelt conversation about Finding the Hidden Gifts Within Children, especially those who have been deeply mistreated and hurt. In this episode, David reminds you that children who have been wounded so often present with many protective patterns that often hide their inner treasures, talents, strengths, and deeper qualities about themselves.  And at times, these patterns are so strong in the child, that you might get easily swayed, become confused, or forget that they are protective strategies … Forgetting that under all that shutdown, back talk, aggressive behavior, or resistance, is the child’s true self - their virtues, their essence, their wholeness. Listen as David shares his wisdom and some of the lessons learned from his 53 years in the field - and a key message to always look for the treasures buried within. *David A. Crenshaw, Ph.D. is Clinical Director of the Children's Home of Poughkeepsie He is Past-President of the New York Association for Play Therapy, a Board Certified Clinical Psychologist; a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychology, and a Registered Play Therapy Supervisor.  He has received several Lifetime Achievement Awards including most recently in 2021 by the Association for Play Therapy. He is the author/editor/co-editor of numerous books, book chapters, and journal articles on child aggression, play therapy and child trauma. Podcast Resources:  Synergetic Play Therapy Institute Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey  Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity * If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and invite your friends/fellow colleagues to join us.

What does it really mean to be culturally competent?... To help us kick off the next 100 episodes, Lisa is joined by a truly amazing individual who is a leader in our play therapy field - Dr. Eliana Gil. Likely you have heard of her 😉 ... Dr. Eliana Gil is the founding partner of the Gil Institute for Trauma Recovery & Education. As one of the pioneers for working with trauma in the play therapy field, she's written several books read by countless therapists worldwide. She's also the former president of the Association for Play Therapy and received APT's Lifetime Achievement award in 2011. Join Lisa and Eliana in a conversation about: What it means to become culturally competent as a therapist Steps to building an anti-racist and culturally-informed practice Ways to respond when children are exploring racism and cultural issues in the playroom How to dive deep within yourself to move from not just reflection, but ACTION! You’re invited to think through how cultural issues can show up in your work as a play therapist. And to get curious about when these conversations need to happen, how to do it authentically, and based on your own training.  Eliana ends with a beautiful message about growing and deepening into your experience as a play therapist.  Podcast Resources:  Synergetic Play Therapy Institute Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey  Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity * If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and invite your friends/fellow colleagues to join us.  

In this 100th episode, the tables are turned once again and Lisa is interviewed about being a "Third Culture Kid" (TCK), what it means, and how it has influenced the creation of Synergetic Play Therapy®. Lisa is interviewed by Judy Norman, Certified SPT Therapist and mother of two TCKs who also spent over a decade of her adult life living abroad. Join Lisa and Judy as they discuss some of the challenges faced by Third Culture Kids (e.g., identity crisis, lack of sense of belonging, and relational struggles) that can show up in your play therapy session, as well as the many beautiful strengths and gifts that can emerge from the experience of being a Third Culture Kid. They’ll also give you strategies and techniques to connect more deeply with these children, and support them in cultivating a deeper relationship with themselves.  Judy Norman is a Certified SPT Therapist, SPT Supervisor, SPT Consultant, and creator of the Synergetic Approach to Education. Judy is founder of the Braindrops Play Therapy & Wellness LLC. She has been working in some capacity in the field of education for over 20 years, as a School Counselor, a District Social Emotional Learning Coach, and national presenter on creating trauma-sensitive schools. Judy teaches the SPTI course - One Foot in Education: Exploring Education through an SPT Lens. And join us for the next 100 episodes - new journey, new learning, more deeper and masterful conversations. Join Lisa and special guests as they share with you some of the many lessons they've learned along the way from their own experiences and study, and the lessons they've learned from children they've worked with, so that you can support children in the best ways possible. Podcast Resources:  Synergetic Play Therapy Institute Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey  Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity * If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and invite your friends/fellow colleagues to join us.  

Join Lisa as she demystifies working with pre-teens and teens and shares how to apply your play therapy skill set to this population (hint: you actually don't need to change much of what you're already doing). She'll also tell you the reason that we might feel awkward, not good enough, unsure, and confused as therapists when working with this age group, as well as give strategies and techniques to support the pre-teen and teen to discover their authentic self.  If you want more information, check out Lisa's 3-hour course on Pre-Teens and Teens in Play Therapy at https://learn.synergeticplaytherapy.com/ Podcast Resources:  Synergetic Play Therapy Institute Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey  Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity * If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and invite your friends/fellow colleagues to join us.  

Lisa is joined by guest Lynn Louise Wonders. Lynn is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Professional Mentor and Supervisor, Career, Parenting and Relationship Coach at Wonders Counseling Services, LLC. She’s an expert in navigating high conflict divorce and custody cases.  Listen as Lisa and Lynn discuss how to not get caught in the crossfire of high conflict divorce, what your role is as the child’s therapist, and how to be present for the child so ultimately the child can know their own self and truth in what can be a highly stressful and chaotic situation.  Plus, you’ll find out how to … Be proactive and prepared so you don't find yourself stuck in these often challenging and painful situations such as getting quality training, reading articles and books, and having consultation experts and seasoned supervisors on speed dial. Keep attuned to the ever-changing status of your own "band-width" when working with high conflict casts. Learn how to put your own self-care first.  Practice grounding and shifting into neutral gear. Don't let parents at war hook you into the chaotic energy of their high conflict (whether they throw that hook at you intentionally or unintentionally). Maintain the child's therapy as their “oasis” when parents are at war and be the “oasis keeper” for the child.  Know your role and stay in your role, and practice this over and over again during the client case.  Lynn Louise Wonders (www.wonderscounseling.com) is a licensed and certified professional counselor supervisor in Georgia and a registered play therapist supervisor. She is an author, trainer and professional consultant to child and family therapists around the world. She has helped thousands of therapists learn how to bridge and blend non-directive and directive play therapy approaches prescriptively through her in person and online training events since 2010. She has additional background as a yoga and meditation teacher since 1995. Podcast Resources:  Synergetic Play Therapy Institute Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey  Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity * If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and invite your friends/fellow colleagues to join us.  

Sometimes, saying goodbye can be tricky and emotional for our clients, their families, and ourselves. In this week’s episode, Lisa gives some things to consider and do to support children and families with navigating goodbyes and endings. She’ll discuss how we really know when the child is ready to transition and ways to support the child and their parents/caregivers, especially when they are having a hard time saying goodbye.  Podcast Resources:  Synergetic Play Therapy Institute Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey  Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity * If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and invite your friends/fellow colleagues to join us.  

In this newest episode of the Lessons from the Playroom, Lisa discusses three little, but very important questions she’s been asked by therapists from around the world that will expand your work as a play therapist!...   1) What do we do when we see our clients outside of a session? 2) How do we work with imaginary friends? 3) What do we do when a child refuses to do their chores or another activity they are supposed to do?   And check out part 1 (episode #57) for more commonly asked "little questions" including what to do with broken toys, having food in the playroom, lying in the playroom, and what to do when a child tries to take a toy home.   … Get answers to some of these little questions you might have and may not have learned in graduate school or anywhere else. Podcast Resources:  Synergetic Play Therapy Institute Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey  Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity * If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and invite your friends/fellow colleagues to join us.  

Lisa discusses the truth about death and dying in the playroom and gives ideas and tips for what to do when these experiences show up in our child client’s play. She gives answers to the many questions therapists have asked such as: What’s the point of death & dying play for children in the playroom? How do we stay present with ourselves in the midst of activation and dysregulation when a child offers an experience of death and dying? How do we deepen into the vulnerability and stay connected to ourselves in what may feel like an uncomfortable experience to promote integration? Podcast Resources:  Synergetic Play Therapy Institute Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey  Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity * If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and invite your friends/fellow colleagues to join us.  

How do we let parents know, that we know, how important they are in their child’s life?  How can we stay grounded and connected to ourselves as play therapists when we find ourselves triggered or activated when working with overwhelmed parents? And how can we offer an “I see you” relational experience for parents that are experiencing complex trauma in their family system?...    Robyn Gobbel joins Lisa in this episode to answer these very questions. Not only do they discuss the value of working with these parents/caregivers and what to do when we feel stuck, but more importantly how to embrace working with parents in the play therapy process, honor the role they play in their child’s lives, and move from “ I should work with parents” to loving and adoring working with parents/families where complex trauma is part of their lives. Robyn Gobbel is a writer, trainer, speaker, and educator dedicated to understanding why humans behave the way they behave. She teaches parents of children who have experienced trauma how the brain works, why behaviors are simply an externalization of what's happening in the brain, body, and nervous system, and how to respond to children's behaviors in a way that creates healing, not just behavior change. Robyn hosts the Parenting After Trauma podcast. Find her on her website here: https://robyngobbel.com/ Podcast Resources:  Synergetic Play Therapy Institute Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey  Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity * If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and invite your friends/fellow colleagues to join us.