S3E31 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Relational Struggles (When Kids Have Trouble Connecting)

Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist · Mar 3, 2026 · 11m · transcript

In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I talk about relational issues — when children struggle socially, don't seem to connect with peers, or have difficulty maintaining friendships. I explain that these struggles are often rooted in a lack of identity or self-concept. When a child doesn't know who they are, they try on different roles from day to day, which makes it hard for other children to relate to them. In other cases, a child may have a consistent pattern of maladaptive behavior that creates distance in relationships.

I walk through how child-centered play…