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PODCAST

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast

Dr. Brenna Hicks

The path to calm, confident, and in-control parenting starts now. The Play Therapy Parenting Podcast is hosted by Dr. Brenna Hicks, The Kid Counselor®. All content, no fluff.

kids & family parenting

All Episodes

16:58

S2E47 - Only Child, Big Questions: Navigating Screen...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2025/07/25

In this episode, I answer three questions from Jillian in Colorado, all centered around real-life parenting challenges. As a fellow mom of an only child, I share what has worked for me in finding the balance between being your child’s playmate and maintaining healthy boundaries—especially when screen time starts to feel like a guilt-driven substitute. I also talk through how to handle co-parenting when the other parent isn’t aligned with your parenting approach and what to do when your child won’t

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16:14

S2E46 - How to Set Limits When the Behavior Comes Out...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2025/07/18

In this episode, I answer a question from Kendall about how to set limits when you can’t predict a behavior in advance—like when a child suddenly lashes out at a sibling “for no reason.” I walk through how to balance proactive expectations with in-the-moment limit setting using the ACT model (Acknowledge, Communicate the limit, Target alternatives). I also explain how to shift the language from parent-imposed consequences to child-led choices, so children learn that their actions have natural

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17:29

S2E45 - “Stay With Me!”: Parenting Through Bedtime...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2025/06/26

In this episode, I answer a question from a mom navigating intense bedtime struggles with her highly anxious daughter. When emotions escalate and her child feels panicked or overwhelmed, she questions whether enforcing boundaries might seem insensitive. I break down what’s really going on—how anxiety drives a need for control—and why bedtime often becomes the battleground. Using child-centered strategies, I walk through how to respond in ways that honor both the child’s emotions and the parent's

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12:14

S2E44 - Toilet Training Power Struggles: What to Say...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2025/06/17

In this episode, I respond to a question from Hannah in England about her 3.5-year-old son who is regressing in his toilet training—especially around poop. I walk through how power struggles, control, and developmental readiness all play a role in potty setbacks. I explain how enforcement choices from the child-centered model can be used to return responsibility to the child, allowing them to experience the natural consequences of their decisions without nagging, pressure, or shame. We also talk

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11:55

S2E43 - My Child Hits Himself and Says He’s Bad—What...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2025/06/05

In this episode, I respond to a question from Whitney about her six-year-old son’s negative self-talk and self-harming behaviors—things like calling himself “stupid” or hitting himself after making a mistake. I explain why these behaviors are often rooted in low self-esteem, anxiety, and low frustration tolerance—and why it’s not about attention or defiance, but maladaptive coping. I walk through how to set clear, compassionate limits on self-harm while offering healthy alternatives for emotional

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15:04

S2E42 - Trying to Reflect Feelings but Freezing in...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2025/05/06

In this episode, I answer an email from Sarah, a mom whose two boys are in school-based play therapy and who is just beginning to learn about the child-centered approach. Sarah shares her excitement, questions, and challenges as she starts to apply what she’s learned—especially the difficulty of knowing what to do in the moment with strong emotions. I talk about the common struggle parents face when trying something new: your brain goes blank. I explain why that happens, how CCPT is like learning a

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14:57

S2E41 - When Someone Dies: What to Say to Your Child...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2025/04/17

In this episode, I talk about how to have honest, age-appropriate conversations with your child when a death occurs—especially when it’s sudden and unexpected. I walk through how to talk to children in a way that gives them truth without overwhelming them, and why sparing them from information often does more harm than good. I also explain how grief looks different in children than in adults, how developmental stages impact the grieving process over time, and how to support your child through those

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16:04

S2E40 - When Kids Won’t Sleep Alone: Helping Anxious...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2025/04/03

In this episode, I respond to Sunny from Australia, who shares her family's ongoing bedtime struggle with her 6.5-year-old daughter—an intelligent, big-feeling child working through anxiety and night terrors. After a year of consistency that led to sleep deprivation and exhaustion, Sunny and her partner ultimately let their daughter sleep on a separate bed in their room. Now, they’re wondering how to help her transition back to her own bedroom. I explain the underlying reasons why anxious kids

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10:44

S2E39 - Potty Training Power Struggles: What’s Really...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2025/03/20

In this episode, I answer a question from Claire, a mom of 4-year-old twins, who’s navigating the challenges of potty training and trying to decide if limits or consequences are appropriate when accidents happen. I talk through the developmental reality of toileting at this age, the somatic and emotional components that impact bodily regulation, and why accidents—even when a child “should know better”—are often not about defiance. I also share why I don’t recommend using rewards or taking things

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46:32

S2E38 - When Parents Struggle: How to Support Your...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2025/03/12

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby—a psychologist, marriage and family therapist, and founder of Growing Self Counseling & Coaching—for an important conversation about how our struggles as parents affect our kids, especially during seasons of divorce, separation, or personal crisis. We explore what parents need to know when navigating big transitions, why your own emotional health directly influences your child’s, and how to make decisions with confidence and clarity. We also talk

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13:22

S2E37 - When Kids Want to Quit Play Therapy: What...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2025/03/07

In this episode, I answer a question from Sabrina about her 10-year-old daughter who suddenly refused to continue play therapy after just a few weeks. She now says she’d rather journal or talk with her mom instead. Sabrina wonders if play at home can bring the same results as therapy and how to navigate this resistance. I explain the four phases of play therapy, why resistance is a natural and expected part of the process, and how avoiding therapy can reinforce anxiety rather than resolve it. I also

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10:59

S2E36 - Power Struggles & Choice Giving: What to Do...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2025/03/01

In this episode, I answer a question from Anne in Germany about her three-year-old daughter who refuses to choose when given enforcement choices. Instead of picking an option, she repeatedly says nothing, creating a power struggle around limit-setting. I explain why choosing "nothing" is still a choice and how to handle this scenario without engaging in a battle of wills. I walk through how to calmly and confidently remind children that choosing not to choose means the parent will choose for

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13:25

S2E35 - Adulthood Bias: Why Kids Don’t Think Like...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2025/02/19

In this episode, I introduce the concept of ADULTHOOD BIAS —the tendency for adults to forget what it was like to be a child, who does not possess rational thought or abstract reasoning until about age 12. This bias causes frustration when kids act impulsively, give one-word answers, or behave in ways that don’t make sense from an adult perspective. Children don’t think or reason the way adults do; they react emotionally and live in the moment. When we expect them to process situations like we do,

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21:15

S2E34 - Winning the Bedtime Battle: How to End the...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2025/02/07

In this episode, I answer a question from Lauren, a mom struggling with her almost 3-year-old’s intense attachment to her father. Her daughter experiences severe separation anxiety, especially at bedtime, making it nearly impossible for mom to comfort her without dad’s presence. I walk through why this attachment has developed and what steps Lauren (and any parent in a similar situation) can take to break the cycle. From setting clear boundaries to using the "be-with" attitudes and remaining neutral

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19:21

S2E33 - Biting, Aggression, and Emotional Overwhelm:...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2025/01/30

In this episode of the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast, I respond to a heartfelt question from Heather, a mom navigating divorce while helping her young child through big emotions and challenging behaviors like aggression and biting. I discuss how changes in relationships—such as a deployed parent, a changing caregiver, or shifting custody arrangements—can deeply impact a child's sense of stability and security. I explain why behaviors like biting and aggression often stem from emotional overwhelm

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11:09

S2E32 - Raising Kids Who Self-Regulate: A New...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2025/01/09

In this episode of the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast, I kick off a new series on raising kids who self-regulate. Power struggles and control grabs are common challenges in parenting, but they often undermine the parent-child relationship. I discuss why the ultimate goal is not controlling your child’s behavior but teaching parents a new way to interact with their kids that fosters self-regulation. I introduce the key concept that children learn self-regulation by being given the opportunity to take

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24:42

S2E31 - Transforming Mornings with Choices and...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2025/01/02

In this episode of the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast, I respond to an insightful email from Laura in the UK, who is navigating challenges with her 10-year-old son. Laura shares concerns about his lack of intrinsic motivation, his struggle with self-worth, and their morning routine battles. I explain how to encourage intrinsic motivation by using neutral encouragement paired with reflective statements, and how to avoid praise, which can often backfire. For improving self-worth, I discuss strategies

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14:49

S2E30 - Reflecting Feelings and Giving Choices: Tips...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2024/12/13

In this episode of the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast, I respond to Alison’s questions about handling two common parenting challenges: when kids reject reflecting feelings and when they power-struggle choice-giving. Alison shares her frustrations with her son covering his ears and yelling, “Stop talking!” during feeling reflections and refusing choices during mealtime. I explain why this resistance is normal, especially when children are uncomfortable with new strategies, and how to stay consistent

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12:46

S2E29 - Blended Families and Big Gaps: Parenting with...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2024/12/02

In this episode of the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast, I respond to an email from Deborah in Florida, who is navigating several parenting challenges in a blended family. Deborah shares her experience raising two sons, ages 11 and 4, and the complexities of applying play therapy principles across different stages of development, varying household rules, and challenges like screen time and birth order dynamics. I provide practical advice for implementing consistent parenting strategies, managing

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16:10

S2E28 - Managing Separation Anxiety: Setting Clear...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2024/11/11

In this episode of the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast, I answer a question from Cindy about managing her five-year-old daughter's intense separation anxiety and big emotions. Cindy describes her daughter's attachment to her as a "safe person," especially at home, where her anxiety becomes more unmanageable. I discuss strategies that can support Cindy’s daughter, including reflecting her feelings to help build emotional vocabulary and setting clear limits with choices, which empowers Cindy’s daughter

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193 results

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