S3E18 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: The Nature/Nurture Balance Behind Kids' Behavior

Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist · Dec 9, 2025 · 12m · transcript

In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I talk about nature versus nurture and how both play a meaningful role in the behaviors parents often seek therapy for. I explain the difference between a child's inborn personality traits (nature) and the experiences that shape them over time (nurture), and why many struggles — anxiety, control, sensory sensitivities, aggression, timidity — usually reflect both at work.

I walk through how child-centered play therapy honors who a child naturally is while helping them regain regulation when life experiences have pushed their…