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PODCAST

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

Dr. Brenna Hicks

Your source for centered and focused Play Therapy coaching. A "Master-Class" in Play Therapy. Breaking down the barriers to high-quality Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) education. No paywalls, no ads, no fluff... all content — just expert, accessible training for every play therapist, free of charge.

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All Episodes

17:37

318 | Mastering CPRT Announcement + Q&A: CCPT...

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

2025/07/07

Mastering CPRT is open for registration - go to playtherapynow.com and use the code “CPRT100” to get $100 off for 10 days. It goes up to full price after 10 days, so grab this offer today! In this episode, I answer a question from Orla in Ireland about what to do when a child says they don’t want to come to therapy anymore—and how to communicate that to parents. I break down two case examples and explain why child-led termination isn't reliable in CCPT, especially early in treatment. More often than

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09:26

317 | CCPT with Tweens: Navigating the Shift from...

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

2025/07/04

In this episode, I respond to a thoughtful question from Dearbhla in Ireland about working with a 12-year-old client who prefers to talk rather than engage in traditional play. As children get older, CCPT sessions often look different—more conversational, more cognitive, and more activity-based. I explore how this developmental stage influences the nature of the session and why talking, even about seemingly mundane topics, is still meaningful. I also offer reassurance that when we stay true to the

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15:35

316 | When Parents Join the Session: Why It...

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

2025/07/03

In this episode, I answer a question from Hope in Kentucky about incorporating parents into the CCPT process. Her case involved a foster mom participating in session—and the outcome revealed why that’s not aligned with the CCPT model. I explain how parent presence in the playroom introduces variables that compromise neutrality, undermine the therapeutic relationship, and make it difficult for children to fully engage in the process. I also walk through the three-step limit-setting process and

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12:45

315 | Theoretical Integrity in Play Therapy: Why One...

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

2025/07/02

In this episode, I respond to a thoughtful question from Cassie in North Carolina about integrative play therapy and the belief that there’s no “one size fits all” approach. As a CCPT purist, I explain why I believe in full adherence to a single theoretical model and why integration—though well-intentioned—can dilute effectiveness, undermine empirical support, and blur the therapeutic process. I lay out the research supporting non-directive, humanistic models like CCPT and explain why choosing one

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13:49

314 | Art of the Session: What Happens in the Lobby...

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

2025/07/01

In this episode of the Art of the Session summer series, I talk about one of the most overlooked parts of the CCPT process—our relationship with parents. While we spend most of our time and training focusing on the therapeutic relationship with the child, we often miss the weekly opportunity to build rapport, trust, and connection with the parents in the lobby. But those 10 to 15 minutes before and after sessions can make all the difference in client retention, parent satisfaction, and overall

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20:37

313 | The Art of the Session: Setting Up the CCPT...

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

2025/06/24

In this first episode of the Art of the Session summer series, I walk through one of the most essential components of effective CCPT work: the playroom itself. I share the practical, intentional choices that make a playroom therapeutic—including size, layout, toy categories, visual neutrality, and why predictability matters more than decoration. I also break down what permissiveness really requires: accessible, inviting, and affordable toys that don’t need protection. From dollhouses to sandboxes,

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15:32

E213 | CCPT Mindset: The Final Mindset Shift…From...

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

2025/06/20

In this final episode of the CCPT Mindset series, I wrap up with one of the most foundational shifts we must make as child-centered play therapists: moving from doing to being. I explore how the pressure to “do it right” in session—say the right thing, follow the right steps, get the right outcome—keeps us stuck in a performance mindset that actually undermines the very heart of the model. Instead, I walk through what a being posture looks and feels like in the playroom: calm, grounded, attuned, and

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10:09

311 | Two Questions, One Answer: Trust the Process in...

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

2025/06/17

In this episode, I answer two great questions from Joy in Maryland. First, we talk about kids who spend most of their session playing with slime. I explain why that kind of repetitive play often falls into the competence theme and why it’s important not to jump to conclusions until patterns emerge across sessions. I also highlight how subtle shifts—like reduced time spent with slime or changes in how it's used—can signal important progress. The second question is about when (or if) we refer a child

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08:43

310 | CCPT With Toddlers and Preschoolers: What...

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

2025/06/13

In this episode, I respond to a question from Mara in North Carolina—and a handful of other listeners—about working with very young children in Child-Centered Play Therapy, specifically those under the age of five. I share what you can expect when seeing toddlers and preschoolers in the playroom, including how their play differs, what sessions often look like, and how the process tends to unfold at a much faster pace. I also talk through common concerns like session length, speech challenges,

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20:58

309 | CCPT Mindset: When Progress Anxiety Undermines...

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

2025/06/11

In this episode, I continue the CCPT Mindset series with a deep dive into something we all wrestle with at some point: progress anxiety. As child-centered play therapists, it’s easy to slip into the trap of wanting sessions to “go somewhere”—especially when outside pressures, whether internal doubts, school expectations, or parent demands, make us question whether anything is really happening. I unpack the ways agenda sneaks into our work, often in subtle forms, and how our discomfort can lead us to

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10:17

308 | Toileting Battles and the Need for Power: CCPT...

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

2025/06/06

In this episode, I respond to a question from Rachel in Missouri about a 5½-year-old client who refuses to poop in the toilet and insists on using a pull-up. We explore how this long-standing habit is likely a reflection of control and vulnerability, and how Child-Centered Play Therapy can gently address the emotional drivers behind it. I offer specific parent coaching strategies, including how to introduce a future transition date to allow the child time to adjust. I also explain how giving

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11:12

When Parents Call It a Bribe: Defending Choice Giving...

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

2025/06/05

In this episode, I respond to a question from Sarah in California about how to explain the difference between bribery and choice giving in CCPT—specifically after a parent watched the Cookies, Choices, and Kids video and thought it sounded like a bribe. I walk through the foundational CCPT principles that differentiate choice giving from manipulation and how limit-setting within CCPT actually empowers children rather than controls them. We explore why true choices are rooted in mutual acceptability

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21:19

CCPT Mindset: The Myth of the Therapeutic Agenda

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

2025/06/03

In this episode of the CCPT Mindset series, I unpack the “myth of the therapeutic agenda” and how even well-intentioned goals can lead us away from true child-centeredness. It’s easy to think we’re being helpful when we hope for insight, change, or breakthroughs—but these hopes can quietly become agendas that introduce pressure, control, and a loss of presence in the playroom. I walk through the signs of hidden agendas, how they show up in subtle ways, and why CCPT requires a radical trust in the

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13:33

Shared Walls and Noisy Lobbies: Preserving the CCPT...

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

2025/05/30

In this episode, I answer a question from Jill in Pennsylvania about how to handle playrooms that share a wall with a waiting area—and the issues that come with that setup. From parents commenting on sessions to kids reacting to sounds from the lobby, these scenarios are more common than you might think. I share the strategies I've used in my own practice to mitigate sound, preserve the integrity of the playroom, and maintain strong therapeutic boundaries. I also offer scripts and practical language

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11:34

Facilitating CPRT With Challenging Parent Dynamics

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

2025/05/29

In this episode, I respond to a question from Tess in Illinois about coaching parents with personality disorders—specifically borderline and narcissism—within the CPRT (Child-Parent Relationship Therapy) framework. This is a tough but important topic because it forces us to examine fit, expectations, and how to approach CPRT when cognitive or relational barriers are present. I walk through how to vet parents for CPRT, what makes someone a good candidate, and how personality disorders can complicate

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18:43

CCPT Mindset (New Series): Examining the Language...

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

2025/05/27

In this episode, I kick off a new CCPT Mindset Series focused on the hidden beliefs and unconscious language that quietly pull us away from full adherence to the CCPT model. I begin with one of the most common and seemingly innocent phrases I hear from therapists: “I just want to help.” While it sounds well-intentioned (and often is), this mindset can subtly reinforce a directive stance—one centered on fixing, controlling, or producing outcomes. I unpack why this phrase reflects an internal

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10:34

Bringing CCPT Into Schools: Group Sessions, Teacher...

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

2025/05/23

In this episode, I answer a question from Robin in New York, a school-based counselor who’s navigating how to implement Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) in an academic setting. From managing large caseloads and working in group formats to responding to teacher perceptions and supporting special education students, Robin’s questions reflect the real-world tension between clinical best practices and the demands of the school environment. I share how CCPT can be delivered effectively in small groups,

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14:02

CCPT Skills for Quiet Sessions: Narrative Summary &...

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

2025/05/22

In this episode, I talk about how to use narrative summary and narrative commentary in Child-Centered Play Therapy sessions—especially when you're working with a child who is quiet, repetitive, or nonverbal in their play. I explain why relying only on tracking behavior can feel robotic or monotonous, and how adding a layer of insight, reflection, and light commentary can create more flow and ease in your sessions—while staying fully adherent to the model. I also introduce the concept using a

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28:25

300th Episode Livestream: Three Years, One...

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

2025/05/17

In this special 300th episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, and on a special day (the podcast launched three years ago today!), I share the full audio from our recent livestream celebration—a live Zoom event joined by listeners from all over the world. This episode is part reflection, part celebration, and part rally cry for what’s next in the CCPT movement. I talk about how the podcast started as a simple idea to serve a small group of play therapists—and how it’s grown into something so much

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28:52

You’re Not Behind—You’re Becoming: The CCPT Growth...

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

2025/05/13

In this episode, I offer encouragement and clarity for those of you who feel like you're not where you “should” be in your CCPT journey. If you’ve ever felt behind, inadequate, or unsure if you’re doing it right—you’re not alone. You’re not behind… you’re becoming. I explain why your struggle is not a sign of failure—it’s evidence of growth. Just like the butterfly in the cocoon, it's the effort that prepares us to fly. I also introduce the Summit Framework, a tool I created to help therapists

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