Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy

15:01

399 | Signs a Child Has Too Much Screen Time: What It...

Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in... ·

2026/05/21

In this episode, I answer a question about recognizing signs of excessive and unrestricted technology use in children and how those patterns show up in the playroom. I discuss common indicators I've observed in CCPT, including difficulty engaging in imaginative play, replicating video games or screen content during sessions, low frustration tolerance, irritability, boredom with toys, emotional dysregulation, and struggles in school. I also explain how heavy screen exposure impacts the nervous

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17:05

398 | CCPT Mythbusters: The Child Has to Talk About It

Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in... ·

2026/05/19

In this episode of the CCPT Mythbusters series, I tackle the belief that "play therapy isn't enough" unless children verbally talk about their problems. I explain why this myth is rooted in adulthood bias and the false assumption that children process experiences cognitively and verbally the way adults do. In reality, children are experiential and emotional beings who naturally work through their world through play. Talking is not required for healing to occur, and in many cases, insisting that

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13:02

397 | If Children Aren't Cognitive, Why Do Some Want...

Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in... ·

2026/05/14

In this episode, I answer a thoughtful question about how child-centered play therapy works if children are not yet capable of abstract reasoning. I explain the important distinction between children being able to memorize and learn information versus having the cognitive ability for true introspection, logic, and abstract thought. Drawing from Piaget's developmental framework, I discuss why children under approximately age 12–13 are primarily experiential and emotional learners, not cognitive

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16:50

396 | CCPT Mythbusters: It's Not Therapeutic If the...

Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in... ·

2026/05/12

In this episode of the CCPT Mythbusters series, I tackle the belief that "it's not play therapy if the child isn't in the playroom." I explain why a child refusing to go back to the playroom is not a problem to solve, but simply another behavior to understand within the child's process. Whether a child sits in the lobby, hallway, parking lot, or refuses to engage at all, our role does not change. We remain fully adherent to the model, trusting the child's pace, honoring their autonomy, and

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10:59

395 | Helping Children Through Divorce: The...

Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in... ·

2026/05/07

In this episode, I answer a question about helping children navigate a difficult divorce and discuss how to guide parents in communicating hard truths in developmentally appropriate ways. I explain why shielding children from reality often creates more confusion and anxiety, because children are already aware that something is wrong. When adults avoid conversations, children fill in the gaps themselves—and unfortunately, they often do so with self-blame, shame, or distorted conclusions. I emphasize

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12:19

394 | CCPT Mythbusters: You Have to "Do Something"......

Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in... ·

2026/05/05

In this episode of the CCPT Mythbusters series, I address one of the most persistent and widely accepted myths in the field: that therapists have to do something for therapy to be effective. I unpack how this expectation shows up—from parents, schools, and even our own training—and why it creates pressure to intervene, direct, or "produce" visible results. I explain how this mindset is rooted in an adult framework that assumes we know what the child needs and how to get them there, when in reality,

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16:43

393 | When to Set Limits (and When Not To) in CCPT +...

Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in... ·

2026/04/30

In this Q&A episode, I respond to two questions that highlight common areas of uncertainty in child-centered play therapy. First, I address a case involving a 7-year-old with significant behavioral challenges across settings. The core issue isn't what to "do more," but whether a limit is actually necessary. I walk through the three reasons we set limits and the three questions we ask ourselves, emphasizing that if safety isn't compromised, restraint is often the more appropriate response. What may

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19:56

392 | CCPT Mythbusters: The "Innovation" Myth in Play...

Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in... ·

2026/04/28

In this episode, I introduce a new series on the podcast—CCPT Mythbusters—and we begin by tackling what I believe is one of the most pervasive myths in the field: that child-centered play therapy needs innovation. I explain how the field often defines "innovation" as applying models to new populations, integrating multiple theoretical approaches, or repackaging techniques. While those efforts may be creative, they are not innovation within the model itself. If a model is effective, empirically

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17:57

391 | When a Child Doesn't Want to Stop: Navigating...

Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in... ·

2026/04/23

In this episode, I answer a question about preparing a child and family for termination in child-centered play therapy—especially when the child appears clinically ready, but the parent is still seeing concerns outside the playroom. I walk through how to assess readiness using the four termination criteria, including both clinical and environmental factors, and explain why it can feel unclear when progress is happening in most settings but not at home. In those cases, I emphasize that the issue may

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22:41

390 | Room Wrecks: The Moment That Tests Every...

Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in... ·

2026/04/21

In this episode, I walk through one of the most challenging—and inevitable—aspects of child-centered play therapy: room wrecks. I explain why these moments, as overwhelming and inconvenient as they can feel, are often deeply meaningful and necessary parts of a child's process. When a child is dumping shelves, throwing toys, or creating chaos, there is always a reason beneath the behavior. Rather than reacting with frustration or trying to control it, I emphasize the importance of shifting our

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15:24

389 | Building Buy-In for CCPT with Teachers and Staff

Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in... ·

2026/04/17

In this episode, I answer a question about how to effectively communicate child-centered play therapy to teachers and school staff—especially when they are expecting quick, directive results. I explain why this is such a challenge, given that educational systems often operate from a very different framework than CCPT. I share practical strategies for bridging that gap, including building strong relationships with faculty, finding opportunities to introduce CCPT principles in small, accessible ways,

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13:29

388 | Why Are These Kids So Happy?: What I Learned...

Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in... ·

2026/04/14

In this episode, I share some observations from my recent trip to Japan and reflect on what I noticed about children and their parents. What stood out to me most wasn't a specific experience or attraction—it was the consistent presence of calm, content, and genuinely happy children. Over the course of two weeks, I observed something very different from what we often see: children who were regulated, autonomous, and simply enjoying being kids, alongside parents who were calm, neutral, and highly

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17:58

387 | Stop Overloading Parents: How to Drip Feed CCPT...

Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in... ·

2026/04/07

In this episode, I talk about a common mistake we make in parent consults—giving parents too much, too fast, and expecting them to implement it successfully. I explain how this often comes from our own desire to "have something to say" or to be helpful, but it actually sets parents up for failure. Instead of equipping them, we overwhelm them. I walk through why parent engagement matters so much in CCPT, but also why it has to be done thoughtfully, gradually, and in a way that matches the parent's

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14:28

386 | Adulthood Bias and Piaget: Why Adults...

Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in... ·

2026/03/31

In this episode, I revisit the concept of Adulthood Bias and explain why it continues to show up so frequently in how adults interact with children. At its core, Adulthood Bias is the tendency to forget what it's like to be a child—emotional, present-focused, and without the capacity for abstract reasoning—and instead expect children to think and respond like adults. I connect this idea back to Piaget's developmental stages to show that this isn't just a perspective shift—it's grounded in what we

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13:02

385 | How to Talk to Kids About Parent Meetings and...

Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in... ·

2026/03/26

In this episode, I answer a question about how to communicate with children regarding two important parts of the play therapy process: meeting with parents and taking notes during sessions. I explain why it's critical to set clear expectations from the very first session, using that brief window to establish predictability, transparency, and trust. When children understand upfront that I meet with their caregivers periodically—and why—that foundation helps prevent confusion or anxiety later on. I

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08:08

384 | Stop Trying to Figure Out the Play: A Reminder...

Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in... ·

2026/03/24

In this episode, I address a growing trend I've been seeing among therapists—trying to interpret, analyze, and "figure out" what a child's play means. I understand the desire to make sense of themes, especially when we're trying to communicate progress to parents. But in child-centered play therapy, that instinct can actually pull us away from what matters most. When we start making assumptions or drawing conclusions, we move out of the present moment and into our heads, which takes us out of true

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14:00

383 | The Parent Factor in CCPT: Can a Child Fully...

Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in... ·

2026/03/19

In this episode, I answer a question about how a parent's own anxiety, stress, or perfectionism impacts a child's progress in play therapy. I talk through the reality that while children often absorb what they are around, their growth in CCPT is not dependent on their parent "fixing" themselves first. The child will continue to move toward self-actualization through the relationship and the playroom, even when the environment isn't ideal. At the same time, I offer an important perspective on the

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12:51

382 | "Imposter Syndrome" in Therapy: Why It's Time...

Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in... ·

2026/03/18

In this episode, I challenge the widespread use of the phrase "imposter syndrome" in the therapy field and invite you to reconsider what you're saying—and believing—about yourself as a clinician. I explain how this language often gets introduced early in training and can quietly shape how therapists view their competence, especially when they're new. But in child-centered play therapy, if you are showing up, prioritizing relationship, and staying faithful to the model, there is nothing "imposter"

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11:44

381 | When Kids Ask Questions in the Playroom: How...

Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in... ·

2026/03/12

In this episode, I answer a listener question about working with an inquisitive 11-year-old who frequently asks questions during sessions. Many child-centered play therapists struggle with how to respond when children ask for information, especially because the model encourages us to feign ignorance, avoid teaching, and return responsibility to the child. I explain why our adherence to the CCPT model should never be dictated by how a child reacts, even when frustration emerges. When a child becomes

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10:58

380 | From Playing Alone to Playing Together:...

Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in... ·

2026/03/10

In this episode, I talk through the differences between independent play and collaborative play in child-centered play therapy sessions, and why understanding the distinction is so important. Early in the therapy process, children often play independently as they are still orienting to the playroom, building trust, and determining whether the relationship feels safe. Independent play is not a problem to solve and does not mean the child is "stuck." In fact, a child may play independently throughout

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