S3E5 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: What the Therapist Does in Session

Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist · Oct 2, 2025 · 17m · transcript

In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I answer one of the most common questions parents have: What does a child-centered play therapist actually do? From the outside, it might look like kids are just playing, but in reality, everything the therapist says and does is intentional, skill-based, and grounded in the child-centered psychological theory.

I explain how therapists use reflective responses, offer choices, set limits when needed, and create a safe environment of trust, respect, and unconditional acceptance. I also share the deeper ways a child experiences the…