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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

16:49

S2E27 - Power and Control: Handling Resistance to...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2024/10/17

In this episode of the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast, I respond to an email from Nicola, a parent struggling with her six-year-old son who resists reflective feelings and limit-setting techniques, often becoming aggressive. Nicola also has a younger son who responds well to these strategies, adding to her frustration. I explain why this behavior is a typical power and control struggle, and how her son's resistance is rooted in his discomfort with change. I offer practical advice on how to approach

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01:12:37

S2E26 - Empowering Your Child with Wholesome Stories:...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2024/10/01

In this episode of the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast, I speak with C.R. Stewart, author of the Britfield series, about the power of wholesome literature in shaping children’s emotional and intellectual development. We discuss how value-based stories can nurture your child’s creativity, critical thinking, and sense of self-worth, while providing an alternative to the media and screen time overload. Learn how you can empower your children with content that promotes family, courage, and hope. Stewart

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17:11

S2E25 - Too Late to Start? Implementing Play Therapy...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2024/08/23

In this episode of the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast, I answer a question from Amy, a mom of two from Florida, who is navigating the challenge of implementing child-centered play therapy principles with her 12 and 9-year-olds. Amy is concerned about whether it’s too late to start using these techniques with older children and asks about handling mean words, backtalk, and yelling in her home. I discuss how these strategies can be applied effectively at any age, and I offer practical advice on

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13:42

S2E24 - When Encouragement Backfires: Reflecting...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2024/08/12

In this episode, I address a question from Nell in Ireland about using encouragement and esteem-building techniques with a sensitive child who doesn't respond well in challenging moments. I discuss the importance of ensuring our tone of voice and facial expressions are congruent with the child's emotional state, especially when they're frustrated or struggling. I emphasize the value of reflecting feelings before offering encouragement. This approach validates the child's emotions and creates a

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13:08

S2E23 - Solving Hygiene Battles with Choices

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2024/08/06

In this episode, I address a common parenting challenge: children's resistance to hygiene practices. I respond to a question from Rosemary in Florida, who's struggling with her 10-year-old daughter's refusal to use soap while showering and to wipe and flush after using the bathroom. I explain that this behavior is fundamentally a power and control issue. Children have control over very few things in their lives, and hygiene routines are one area where they can exert independence. To address this, I

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14:14

S2E22 - Play Therapy at Home: 30 Minutes to Transform...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2024/07/31

In this episode, I discuss the importance of implementing small play sessions with your children to practice the parenting skills we've been discussing. I explain why play is crucial for children's development and emotional processing, and how it provides a unique window into their world. I share practical advice on how to schedule 30-minute play sessions with each of your children every week. During these sessions, I encourage you to let your child lead the play while you focus on practicing

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14:31

S2E21 - Presence: The Art of True Engagement with...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2024/07/26

In this episode, I discuss the importance of being present and engaged with our children. I share a heartwarming experience I had on a recent flight, where I observed a father fully engaged with his young son for the entire 2.5-hour journey. This interaction exemplified the essence of play therapy parenting - being attuned, present, and engaged. I offer practical tips for improving presence, including maintaining eye contact, using reflective responses, and trying to experience the world through our

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18:21

S2E20 - Power, Control, and Potty Problems: Effective...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2024/07/25

In this episode, I address a question from Emma in Ireland about her 4-year-old son's toileting issues. Despite being toilet trained for over a year, he frequently has accidents, especially during changes in routine or when other people are caring for him. I explain that this behavior is likely rooted in power and control issues, as children have control over very few aspects of their lives. I discuss the concept of "somatic" responses, where emotional issues manifest physically, and how positive

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14:19

S2E19 - Diffusing Power Struggles: A Play Therapy...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2024/07/02

In this episode, I discuss the topic of power struggles between parents and children. I explain why these struggles occur, provide a framework for handling them, and offer practical advice rooted in child-centered play therapy principles. I emphasize the importance of understanding the "why" behind power struggles. Children often seek control because they have little of it in their daily lives. By recognizing this, parents can approach these situations with more empathy and effectiveness. I

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18:43

S2E18 - Choices, Consequences, and Catching the Bus:...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2024/06/27

In this episode, I address a question from Noel about managing morning routines and getting kids ready for school on time. As many parents can relate, the struggle to get children dressed, fed, and out the door for the bus is a common challenge. I share insights from a child-centered play therapy approach to make mornings easier and less stressful for everyone involved. I emphasize the importance of providing choices to children, especially the night before, to create buy-in and ownership. This

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12:20

S2E17 - Stop Fixing, Start Listening: A Game-Changing...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2024/06/25

In this episode, I discuss a practice from the child-centered play therapy model: sitting in the pocket of your child's feelings. As parents, we often struggle to relate to our children's intense emotions because we have the luxury of rational thinking. However, children live in their emotions to a degree that's hard for us to comprehend. I explain why it's important to reflect your child's feelings without dismissing or trying to fix them. By simply acknowledging their emotions and sitting with

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23:28

S2E16 - Helping Adopted Siblings Thrive: Play Therapy...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2024/06/13

In this episode, I answer a question from Gaer in the UK about her two adopted sons, ages 3 and 9, who are both starting play therapy to help with anxiety and emotional dysregulation. Gaer's youngest in particular has been acting out physically when upset. I explain that it's common for siblings, especially of the same sex, to take on "internalizer" and "externalizer" roles when it comes to expressing emotions. The older son is likely internalizing his feelings while the younger is externalizing

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14:14

S2E15 - Keeping Your Relationship with Your Child at...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2024/06/03

In this episode, I talk about how the relationship with your child is the most important thing, even more important than the specific parenting skills and techniques we've been discussing. While learning and applying skills like reflecting feelings, setting limits, giving choices, and using encouragement are certainly valuable, we can't lose sight of why we use those approaches in the first place. It all comes back to preserving and strengthening our relationship with our kids. Every time a child

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10:54

S2E14 - Encouragement: The Easiest and Most...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2024/05/17

In today's episode, I discuss the importance of encouragement and how it differs from praise when it comes to parenting. Encouragement is all about focusing on your child's efforts and contributions, rather than giving value-laden words that have opposites, like "good" or "awesome." When you encourage your child by starting with "you" and acknowledging their perseverance, problem-solving skills, or willingness to take on challenges, you help them develop a healthy self-concept and sense of identity

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17:14

S2E13 - Gentle Parenting vs. Child-Centered Play...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2024/05/08

In this episode, I address a listener's question about gentle parenting and whether it has gone too far. I discuss the principles of gentle parenting and contrast them with the child-centered approach, highlighting the importance of setting appropriate limits and boundaries while maintaining a kind, respectful, and relational dynamic with your child. I explain that while gentle parenting aims to build a healthy bond and meet a child's needs, it often lacks a comprehensive framework for effective

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15:56

S2E12 - Applying Limit Setting at Home: Effective...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2024/05/01

In today's episode of the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast, we're diving into the practical application of the "limit setting" pillar in daily parenting. Now that we’ve covered the four foundational pillars, it’s time to see how we can apply these skills in everyday interactions with our kids. Limit setting is unique in that it combines the other pillars—reflecting feelings and giving choices—making it a nuanced yet powerful tool for effective discipline. I explore how limit setting can be used

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13:09

S2E11 - Using the Choice-Giving Skill at Home: The...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2024/04/25

In this episode, I discuss how to practically apply the "choice-giving" pillar from the child-centered play therapy parenting framework. I cover two types of choices to give your kids: Empowerment Choices Give your kids choices just for the sake of letting them feel empowered and in control Examples: Let them choose how to get to the car (hold your hand or push the cart), what to eat/drink, what to wear, where to sit in the car, what music to listen to, etc. This gives your kids a measure of

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14:01

S2E10 - Reflecting Feelings with Your Child at Home:...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2024/04/17

In this episode, we explore the practical aspects of Reflecting Feelings, focusing on how this essential skill can be effectively used in daily interactions with children. Our goal is to demystify the process and encourage more confident and consistent application in your parenting. Key Points Covered: Understanding Reflecting Feelings: An overview of why this skill is fundamental yet challenging, emphasizing its importance in validating children’s emotions. Practical Application: Step-by-step

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14:40

S2E9 - Addressing Body Image Concerns in Young Children

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2024/04/12

In this episode, I address a question submitted by a therapist on behalf of a concerned parent. The parent has a 6-year-old girl who is grappling with body image issues. As this little girl expresses concerns about her tummy being "fat" and worries that other kids are judging her, her mother fears she may be using food to soothe her big emotions. These behaviors are merely cues, signaling deeper underlying issues that need to be addressed. More often than not, a child's fixation on food, sleep, or

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23:18

S2E8 - Encouragement vs. Praise: The Key to Nurturing...

Play Therapy Parenting Podcast ·

2024/04/10

I can't emphasize enough the profound impact of encouragement on a child's self-esteem, self-worth, and overall development. Unlike the other pillars we've discussed, encouragement stands alone as a powerful tool that shapes a child's understanding of their identity, capabilities, and innate value. In this episode, we delve deep into the crucial distinction between praise and encouragement. Praise, although well-intentioned, often includes value judgments that inadvertently make children dependent

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193 results

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