Shows / Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
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.
Episodes
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
265 | When and How to Use Enlargement in CCPT & Tracking Progress in CCPT (What to Do When Stages Aren't Clear)
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer two questions from Terry in Ireland. First, I break down the role of enlargement and self-esteem-building…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
264 | Mastering Neutrality: Wrap-up (A Reflection on What It Means to Be CCPT)
In this final episode of the Mastering Neutrality Series on the Play Therapy Podcast, I reflect on the essence of child-centered play therapy (CCPT) through a…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
263 | Clear Policies + Systems = Happy Clients: Managing Cancellations, No-Shows, and Expectations
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer a fantastic question from Tess in Illinois about balancing boundaries and customer service in private…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
262 | House-Tree-Person in CCPT: Why I Use It and How It Helps
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer a great question from Zoe in Texas about why I use the House-Tree-Person (HTP) and Kinetic Family Drawing…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
261 | Mastering Neutrality: Foundations for Neutrality in Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I continue our neutrality series by exploring what neutrality truly looks like in child-centered play therapy…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
260 | Navigating Tough Conversations with Parents in CCPT
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I respond to Michelle from Ireland, who posed three important questions about challenges in child-centered play…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
259 | Early Termination, Rewards, and Night Terrors: Q&A Addressing Unique Playroom Challenges
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer three questions from Melissa in Colorado, covering early termination with clients, the use of rewards for…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
258 | Mastering Neutrality: Letting Go of Control and Embracing True Neutrality in the Playroom
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I dive deeper into the concept of neutrality in child-centered play therapy (CCPT). I explore the profound idea of…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
257 | Jan. 3rd Live Event - Q & A Session
In this special live Q&A episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I connected with listeners from around the world to answer their most pressing questions about…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
256 | Theoretical Consistency: Avoiding Burnout When Working with All Ages
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I respond to a question from Chiara in Florida about working with clients over the age of 14. I explain how…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
255 | Mastering Neutrality: Practicing Neutrality Means Letting Go of Expectations, Not Emotions
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I continue exploring the essential role of neutrality in child-centered play therapy (CCPT). I unpack how…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
254 | From Cutting to Conversations: Handling Safety Concerns in CCPT
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I respond to a question from Christy in New Mexico about working with a 12-year-old client who has a history of…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
253 | Integrating CCPT Principles into Child-Led Educational Settings
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer a series of thoughtful questions from Emily in Washington State, who runs an outdoor playschool. Emily…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
252 | Mastering Neutrality: The "Missing Tenet" in Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I introduce a new series focused on neutrality in child-centered play therapy (CCPT). Neutrality is a foundational…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
251 | Becoming a Person of Impact: Beyond the Playroom in 2025
In this special "live" episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I reflect on the concept of impact and how we, as child-centered play therapists, can think beyond…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
250 | How to Approach Autism Concerns with Parents as a Child-Centered Play Therapist
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer a question from Bracha in New York about working with children who might be on the autism spectrum…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
249 | Permission-Seeking and Negative Self-Talk: Staying Neutral in the Child-Centered Playroom
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I respond to Anna from Virginia, a new child-centered play therapist, who seeks advice on a variety of scenarios…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
248 | Adherence, Power, and Certification: A Global CCPT Discussion
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer three questions from Mai in Bahrain, a mental health counselor in training. Mai asks about integrating…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
247 | From Frustration to Confidence: Why Theoretical Adherence Matters in Play Therapy
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I dive into the importance of theoretical adherence in child-centered play therapy (CCPT). As we wrap up 2024 and…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
246 | Why Hiding Toys Matters: Reflecting Permanence and Trust in the Child-Centered Playroom
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I respond to a question from Rob in Arizona about a child who hides toys and asks if they will be safe while he's…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
245 | Separation Anxiety and Resistance: Trusting the CCPT Process
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address two questions from Alison in Arkansas related to separation anxiety and resistance in child-centered…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
244 | Why Kids Use "Potty Talk" in Session — And How to Stay Child-Centered When Responding
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer a question from Monica in California about how to handle "potty talk" in child-centered play therapy…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
243 | A Tidal Wave of Change: How CCPT is Transforming Lives Worldwide
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I share a collection of inspiring emails from therapists, parents, and listeners who have fallen in love with…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
242 | Children Deserve Therapy: The Case for Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a question from Yehudis in New York about the growing belief that child therapy should be a "last…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
241 | Short on Time, Big on Impact: CCPT for Kids with Communication Barriers
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer a question from Ailene in North Carolina, a clinical counseling student working with a partially deaf…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
240 | It's Not About the Toys: The Power of the Therapeutic Relationship in CCPT
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer two thoughtful questions from Mikayla, a graduate student and new play therapist in Illinois. Mikayla…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
239 | The Power of "Yet": A Simple Word That Changes Reflective Responding in Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I share a simple but powerful "Pro Tip": the importance of adding the word "yet" when returning responsibility to…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
238 | Transitioning from Directive to Non-Directive: From Moms in the Room to Letting Go of Plans
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer two questions from Alyssa in California, a therapist in training, about working with children in…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
237 | Navigating End-of-Session Challenges: Taking Toys and Child Won't Leave the Playroom
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a question from Jess in Florida about how to handle a child who refuses to leave the playroom after…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
236 | Session Savvy Finale: Preserving the Classical CCPT Model
In this Session Savvy "wrap-up" episode, I end the series by emphasizing the importance of preserving the classical child-centered play therapy (CCPT) model…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
235 | Session Savvy: Neutral Language in the Child-Centered Playroom
In this Session Savvy episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I discuss the potential impact of using the word "silly" in the playroom and why it's essential to…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
234 | Trusting CCPT with Anxious Kids: Why CCPT Works for Every Child
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer a question from Mary Clare in Illinois, who is working with a 10-year-old client and feeling unsure if…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
233 | Incorporating Sand Trays in the Child-Centered Play Therapy Playroom
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I respond to a question from Laura in Washington about incorporating sand trays in a child-centered play therapy…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
232 | Session Savvy: Avoiding a Common Choice-Giving Mistake in Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this Session Savvy episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I discuss the critical importance of phrasing choices correctly in child-centered play therapy…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
231 | How to Overcome Parental Doubts as a Non-Parent Child-Centered Play Therapist
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a thoughtful question from Malley in Texas, who wonders how not having children might influence her work…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
230 | The Calm Before the Storm: Understanding Shifts in Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I respond to a question from Jyotsna in India about a child who enters the playroom calm and reserved but then…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
229 | Why Children Ask 'How Much Time Is Left?' and Recognizing Termination Readiness
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer two questions from Chris in the Virgin Islands. First, Chris asks about how to respond when children…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
228 | Session Savvy: Staying Neutral and Avoiding "Body" Commentary in CCPT
In this Session Savvy episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I talk about the importance of avoiding commentary on a child's body or physical actions in the…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
227 | Revisiting SMART Goals with CCPT for School Settings
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer a question from Sandy in Iowa about creating SMART Goals, referencing the four universal outcomes in…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
226 | When Therapy Approaches Collide: Supporting Siblings with Different Therapists
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a question from Sarah Beth in North Carolina about handling a tricky situation with two siblings in…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
225 | Session Savvy: Avoiding Value-Laden Language & Reflecting Without Owning
In this Session Savvy episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I discuss the importance of staying neutral and avoiding value-laden language when a child disagrees…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
224 | CCPT and Autism: Child-Centered Play Therapy with Children on the Spectrum
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer a question from Michelle in Texas regarding how child-centered play therapy (CCPT) aligns with the needs…
- Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
223 | Preparing Children for Therapist Absences: Maternity Leave and Vacation
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a question from Melissa in Colorado about how to communicate upcoming absences to children and their…
Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy222 | The Universal Efficacy of CCPT: How to Address Doubters
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I respond to a question from Nicole in Indiana about finding research that compares child-centered play therapy…
Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy221 | Staying True to the Model: Encouraging New Therapists to Trust CCPT
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I respond to a question from Deidra in Virginia, a first-year supervised therapist whose supervisor isn't…
Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy220 | Repetitive Play and/or Self-Soothing in Early Sessions
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a question from Suzanne in Maryland, who has been working with a six-year-old child that engages in…
Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy219 | Session Savvy: Reflecting Content Without Assuming Emotion
In this Session Savvy episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I discuss an important topic: not assuming that content is emotionally connected in child-centered…
Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy218 | Mastering In-Session Note-taking in Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I respond to Ethan from Virginia, who asked about writing in-session notes during child-centered play therapy…
Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy217 | Sending Birthday Cards: Balancing Customer Service and Confidentiality
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I respond to Brianna from Texas, who asks about the process of sending birthday cards to clients while maintaining…
Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy216 | Session Savvy: Eliminating "Fluff" Words in Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this Session Savvy episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I discuss a common deviation in child-centered play therapy (CCPT)—using phrases like "you feel,"…
Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy215 | Environment and Expectation Changes in a Child-Centered Play Therapy Playroom
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I respond to Nneka from England, a returning listener who recently transitioned from being a mobile therapist to…
Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy214 | Understanding "Storytelling" in the Playroom: A Child-Centered Play Therapy Approach
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer a question from Sweeney in India about how to handle a 12-year-old client who frequently makes up…
Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy213 | House-Tree-Person Assessment: When and How to Use It in Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I respond to a question from Christina in Vermont regarding the first session with a child in the playroom and how…
Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy212 | Session Savvy: Breaking the Habit of Saying 'OK' in the Child-Centered Play Therapy Playroom
In this Session Savvy episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I talk about the subtle impact of saying "OK" in the playroom. While it seems harmless in everyday…
Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy211 | Setting Clear Expectations: How to Get Parents to Commit to Weekly Sessions
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a question from Sarah in Missouri about encouraging parents to commit to weekly play therapy sessions…
Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy210 | Why Saying "Good Choice" and "Bad Choice" Is Not Really A Choice
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I respond to a great question from Vicky in Canada about the language we use with children, particularly the…
Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy209 | Preventative Power: The Lasting Impact of Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a question from Jonathan in Ohio, who is curious about how child-centered play therapy (CCPT) can be…
Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy208 | Session Savvy: Avoiding Value-Laden Words in Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this Session Savvy episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I explore the subtle but significant impact of using value-laden words in child-centered play…
Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy207 | How to Let the Child Lead in Game Play: Child-Centered Examples and Guidance
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer a question from Theodore in the UK, who is preparing his playroom and wondering about incorporating games…
Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy206 | When Kids Don't Play: Screen Time or Something Else?
In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I answer a question from Kira in Texas about children who come into the playroom and do not play. Kira wonders if…