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PODCAST

Playful Beginnings

Maggie Parker and Kristie Opiola

Welcome to playful beginnings. Within this podcast, Dr. Kristie Opiola and Dr. Maggie Parker explore the magic of play therapy, the why behind what we do, and how play therapy helps children heal and grow. This podcast is helpful for current play therapists, students and professionals interested in working with children or becoming play therapists, and anyone who is interested in creating transformative relationships with children. Parents and teachers can gain insights into what play therapy is,

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All Episodes

26:42

Child Centered Play Therapy and Academic Achievement

Playful Beginnings ·

2026/05/25

Play Heals and Helps Kids Thrive in School! 🧸📈When people think of Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), they usually think about emotional regulation, trauma healing, and behavioral growth. But did you know it also has a massive, evidence-based impact on academic achievement?On this week’s episode of Playful Beginnings, we are thrilled to sit down with the incredible Dr. PJ Blanco to talk about his groundbreaking research on school-based play therapy! 🎒✨Dr. Blanco’s work bridges the gap between

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21:30

Navigating the Hallways: Expert Tips and Techniques ...

Playful Beginnings ·

2026/05/18

Working with kids in a school setting is a whole different ballgame. Between the ringing bells, packed schedules, and the pressure of academic demands, finding the space and time to truly connect with a child can feel like a jigsaw puzzle.In this week’s episode of Playful Beginnings, we are breaking down practical, real-world tips and tricks for working with kids within the school system! 🧩✨Whether you are a school counselor, a play therapist splitting time between sites, or an educator looking to

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18:27

Navigating CCPT in the School Space

Playful Beginnings ·

2026/05/04

In this episode, we pivot to a topic that touches almost every practitioner: Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) in schools. Whether you are a full-time school counselor or a private practitioner connecting for an IEP meeting, the school environment brings a unique set of dynamics and challenges.Join Dr. Christie Opiola and Dr. Maggie Parker as they share their diverse experiences working within public, private, charter, and Montessori settings. We dive into the practical (and sometimes frustrating)

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25:44

Supporting Autistic Students through a Relational Lens

Playful Beginnings ·

2026/04/27

Episode SummaryIn this episode, Dr. Lisa Rice joins the show to challenge traditional behavioral approaches to special education. As an accomplished researcher in inclusive education and the co-host of the On Her Side podcast, Dr. Rice discusses the critical importance of a "relational plate" when working with autistic children in school systems. The conversation delves into the "conflict cycle" between adults and children, the often-overlooked emotional needs of teachers, and how we can design

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25:44

Unmasking the Experience of Girls on the Spectrum...

Playful Beginnings ·

2026/04/20

In this episode of Playful Beginnings, Dr. Maggie Parker and Dr. Kristie Opiola sit down with Dr. Elisabeth Rice, an Associate Professor at George Washington University and co-host of the On Her Side podcast. The conversation explores the nuanced and often overlooked presentation of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in girls. Dr. Rice discusses how traditional diagnostic criteria, largely based on male presentations, have led to a "lost generation" of women and girls who go undiagnosed or

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14:29

It’s time to change the conversation around ASD and...

Playful Beginnings ·

2026/04/13

Often, therapists are pressured to focus solely on behavioral outcomes. But Dr. Regine Chung’s research shows us that when we provide a truly Child-Centered environment, non-verbal children don’t just 'behave'—they thrive.Dr. Chung joins us to share her longitudinal findings, providing the clinical community with the data needed to advocate for relational, neurodiversity-affirming care.Key Takeaways:How CCPT facilitates autonomy in non-verbal children.Making sense of the research: What the numbers

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33:58

Child Centered Play Therapy and Autism: Room...

Playful Beginnings ·

2026/04/06

Stop choosing between "compliance" and "connection." 🧩 Can Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) actually work for non-verbal children with Autism? Dr. Regine Chung says YES—and she has the data to prove it.If you’ve ever felt like your playroom wasn't "set up right" for neurodivergent clients, or feared that making adaptations would "ruin" the Child-Centered model, this episode is your roadmap.In this deep dive, CCPT expert Dr. Regine Chung joins us to discuss her longitudinal study on non-verbal

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33:58

Seeing the Soul: A Child Centered Approach to Autism...

Playful Beginnings ·

2026/03/30

Caring for the whole child means seeing beyond a diagnosis. 🌈How does Child-Centered Play Therapy align with the needs of autistic children? It starts by recognizing that play is the universal language of childhood—regardless of neurotype. In this episode, Dr. Kristie Opiola and I sit down with Dr. Regine Chung to discuss:Moving from a 'deficit' model to a 'strength-based' approach.The role of the therapist as a regulated, empathetic witness.Why the freedom of the playroom is essential for

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37:33

Child-Centered Play Therapy and Autism: A Natural...

Playful Beginnings ·

2026/03/23

What if Child-Centered Play Therapy wasn't just compatible with autism — but was, at its core, designed for it?In this episode, Dr. Christie Opiola and Dr. Maggie Parker explore the profound alignment between CCPT and the needs of autistic children. Not as a conversation about modifying or adapting the approach — but as an argument that Carl Rogers' six core conditions already speak directly to what autistic children need most: a relationship that meets them exactly where they are, without asking

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25:58

Relaying CCPT and Anxiety to Parents with Guest...

Playful Beginnings ·

2026/03/16

You asked, we listened. You want to know about how to work with parents and make the links between diagnosis/presenting concerns and child centered play therapy. Listen in to this week's episode of Playful Beginnings for a greater understanding of childhood anxiety, how it shows up in the playroom, and bridging the gap with parents. #playtherapy #childcenteredplaytherapy #CCPT #childcenterede #playtherapyworks #playtherapytraining

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39:52

🎧 Playroom Anxiety & CCPT: Expert Insights with Dr....

Playful Beginnings ·

2026/03/09

Anxiety in kids isn't always fear—sometimes it's rigid play or outbursts. 🌪️ Dr. Hayley Stulmaker joins the Playful Beginnings Podcast to explain how Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) helps kiddos process anxiety.Listen here: [Link] 🚀 #PlayTherapy #ChildhoodAnxiety #ParentingTips

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16:44

🚨 Does anxiety look different in boys vs. girls?

Playful Beginnings ·

2026/03/02

Often, we miss the signs because they don't look like what we expect. In the latest episode of the Playful Beginnings Podcast, we break down how gender differences shape anxiety behaviors in kiddos—and how you can spot them early. 🎧 Click the link to listen and subscribe for more insights!

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26:44

Anxiety Across Developmental Stages

Playful Beginnings ·

2026/02/23

In this episode of Playful Beginnings, Dr. Kristie Opiola and Dr. Maggie Parker shift the spotlight to one of the most common—yet frequently misunderstood—experiences in childhood: Anxiety.While anxiety is a universal human emotion, it wears many different "masks" in the playroom and at home. This episode explores the nuance of the anxious child, moving beyond the stereotype of the "worried kid" to look at the physiological and developmental realities of a child in a state of alarm.The Developmental

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28:20

How does ADHD show up in the CCPT Playroom?

Playful Beginnings ·

2026/02/16

In this episode of Playful Beginnings, we delve deeper into ADHD and CCPT with expert Amy Work. Amy examines how ADHD can show up in the playroom, the symptoms and characteristics of ADHD, and how to support children and parents using CCPT. It is important to remember that there is no "hard and fast" rule- that with CCPT and children, there is always fluidity- so these are things to look for and examine!

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31:20

CCPT and ADHD: Speaking with expert Amy Work

Playful Beginnings ·

2026/02/09

How do CCPT therapists support regulation, attention, and emotional growth without turning therapy into behavior management?In this episode of Playful Beginnings, we’re joined by ADHD expert and Child-Centered Play Therapy clinician Amy Work for a rich, practice-informed conversation on how CCPT aligns naturally with the nervous system needs of children who present with or are diagnosed with ADHD.Together, we explore: ✔️ How ADHD shows up in play, relationships, and regulation ✔️ What therapists

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24:37

How ADHD and CCPT Align

Playful Beginnings ·

2026/02/02

ADHD is often treated as a compliance problem rather than a nervous system and executive functioning difference.In this episode of Playful Beginnings, we examine: • Core ADHD symptom presentation across development • Regulation, impulse control, working memory, and emotional modulation • Why behavior-based interventions alone frequently plateau • How Child-Centered Play Therapy supports intrinsic regulation, agency, and attachment security • Clinical implications for treatment planning and parent

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26:57

ADHD or Developmentally Appropriate? Understanding...

Playful Beginnings ·

2026/01/26

Are you missing the subtle signs of ADHD in your home or classroom? ADHD is often misunderstood- we hear about it all the time, but what is it actually? In this episode of Playful Beginnings, Kristie and Maggie delve into what ADHD looks like in children. It's more than just "can't sit still." And often, boys and girls demonstrate ADHD differently.Tune in as we outline the core symptoms you may be overlooking. This episode is great for parents, teachers, and play therapists. Understand the why

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13:27

Talking to Parents about diagnoses: A CCPT Perspective

Playful Beginnings ·

2026/01/19

Parents often ask: “What does this diagnosis actually mean for my child?”Play therapists often ask: “How do I explain diagnosis without labeling, limiting, or pathologizing the child?”In this episode, we explore: • What diagnosis is (and isn’t) in child mental health • How CCPT conceptualizes the whole child beyond symptoms • How therapists can guide parents into developmentally informed conversations • How parents can collaborate effectively with their child’s therapistIf you care about ethical,

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20:54

Diagnosis from a Child Centered Lens

Playful Beginnings ·

2026/01/12

When we talk about diagnosis in children, it’s easy to feel like we’re "boxing them in." But at PlayTherapySpace, we view diagnosis through a different lens: The Child-Centered Perspective.A diagnosis isn’t a definition of who the child is—it’s a guide to how they experience the world. 🌍❤️Why it matters:It validates their struggle: It tells the child, "There is a reason why this feels hard for you, and it’s not your fault."It’s a roadmap for support: It helps us stop asking "Why are they doing

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29:04

Child Centered Play Therapy and Executive Functioning

Playful Beginnings ·

2026/01/05

🧠✨ New Episode of Playful Beginnings ✨🧠Executive Functioning Meets Child-Centered Play TherapyEver been asked, “But how does play therapy help with executive functioning?” This episode is for you.In our newest Playful Beginnings conversation, we break down how child-centered play therapy (CCPT) directly supports the development of executive functioning—without worksheets, rewards, or constant correction.We explore: • Why executive functioning is developmental, not motivational • How CCPT supports

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