412 | When an Anxious Child Won't Stay in the Playroom

Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy · Jul 3, 2026 · 12m

In this episode, I answer a question about working with a young child who repeatedly tries to leave the playroom during the first few sessions of therapy. Whether the child says they need to see their parent, use the bathroom, or simply can't stay in the room, I explain why these behaviors are often rooted in anxiety, a need for control, and difficulty with emotional regulation—not a true desire to end the session. I walk through how to establish and enforce limits around staying in the playroom while remaining deeply empathic and accepting of the child's experience.

I also discuss why…