Shows / Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
Parenting can be confusing—especially when you're dealing with tantrums, anxiety, aggression, emotional outbursts, sibling conflict, ADHD concerns, school struggles, or behavior that just doesn't make sense. On the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast, child therapist Dr. Brenna Hicks answers real parenting questions and helps you understand what's really going on beneath your child's behavior. Each episode provides practical insight into emotions, development, behavior, and the parent-child…
Episodes
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S4E19 - Is My Child Misbehaving—or Just Trying to Be Heard?
In this episode, I share an experience from a recent flight that reminded me how easy it is for parents to focus on a child's behavior while missing what the…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S4E18 - Why Does My Child Fight Me Over Everything? (And How to Stop the Power Struggle)
In this episode, I answer a question from a mom whose six-year-old can be cooperative one minute and completely defiant the next. I explain why behavior like…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S4E17 - How Do I Stop My Kids From Tattling on Each Other?
In this episode, I answer a question from a mom whose 3- and 5-year-old children are constantly tattling on each other over every little thing. I explain why…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S4E16 - Is My Child's School Anxiety a Sign We Should Homeschool?
In this episode, I answer a question from a mom whose 7- and 9-year-old daughters are experiencing significant anxiety around going to school. We talk about…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S4E15 - How Much Freedom Should I Give My 10-Year-Old (Without Sacrificing Safety)?
In this episode, I answer a follow-up question from a mom who recently reduced screen time for her 8- and 10-year-old children and is now seeing an unexpected…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S4E14 - Why Is My Child Resisting Play Therapy?
In this episode, I answer a question from a mom whose seven-year-old has become frustrated with her play therapist and says the therapist treats her "like a…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S4E13 - How Do My Words Shape My Child's Self-Esteem?
In this episode, I answer a collection of parent questions around one central concern: what do we do when a child seems to be struggling with who they are? I…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S4E12 - How Do I Reduce My Child's Screen Time Without Constant Battles?
In this episode, I answer a question from a mom who realizes that screens have gradually become a major part of her children's daily lives and now wants to…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S4E11 - How Do I Help My Child With School Anxiety?
In this episode, I answer a question from a mom whose 9-year-old daughter experiences intense anxiety every morning before school—even though she does well…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S4E10 - Why Is My Youngest Child Always Acting Out? - When a Child Uses Bad Behavior and Negative Attention to Find Their Place
In this episode, I answer a question from a homeschooling mom whose six-year-old becomes angry, disruptive, and resistant whenever it's time to do schoolwork…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S4E9 - How Do I Make Custody Exchanges Easier for My Toddler?
In this episode, I answer a question from a mom whose toddler struggles every time it's time to transition to the other parent's home for a custody exchange…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S4E8 - Why Is My Child Aggressive and Sad?
In this episode, I answer a question from a mom whose son has struggled with aggression, sadness, and emotional regulation for years. She wonders why he's so…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S4E7 - How Do I Handle Aggressive Behavior Without Punishment?
In this episode, I answer a question from an adoptive mom who is learning how to use child-centered parenting techniques with her daughter, who struggles with…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S4E6 - How Do I Stop Power Struggles With My Preteen?
In this episode, I answer a question from a mom who feels like she's constantly butting heads with her ten-year-old daughter. We talk about why the preteen…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S4E5 - Why Is My Child Always Fighting for Control?
In this episode, I answer a question from a mom whose five-year-old daughter seems to be caught in constant power struggles despite receiving choices…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S4E4 - Why Does My Child Hold Their Pee?
In this episode, I answer a question from a mom whose seven-year-old daughter has struggled with pee withholding since potty training. We explore why toileting…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S4E3 - How Do I Stop Sibling Fighting and Rough Play?
In this episode, I answer a question from a mom who is worried about the relationship between her four-year-old son and his younger brother. If you've ever…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S4E2 - How Does Trauma Affect a Child Years Later?
In this episode, I answer a question from a mom whose daughter witnessed the death of her father at a very young age. Now that her daughter is older, she's…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S4E1 - Can Children Develop Internal Motivation Without Rewards?
In the first Q&A episode of Season 4, I answer a thoughtful question from a mom who is trying to help her eight-year-old daughter develop internal motivation…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E46 - Wrapping Up the Parent Companion Series + What's In Store for Season 4!
In this final episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I reflect on why this season has mattered so much to me and to the field of…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E45 - The Emotional Crash After Fun Activities: What Parents Need to Know
In this episode, I answer a question from an adoptive mom whose three-year-old becomes extremely dysregulated before and after exciting events like family…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E44 - How Play Therapy Helps Even When Nothing in Their Environment Changes
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I answer a common question parents ask: "How can play therapy help if nothing in my child's…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E43 - Reverse Pandora's Box: Can My Child Lose the Progress They've Made in Therapy?
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I talk about one of the biggest fears parents have after things begin improving: "What if we…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E42 - Can My Child Do Play Therapy and Occupational Therapy at the Same Time?
In this episode, I answer a question from a mom whose child is currently in play therapy and making great progress, but who is also considering adding…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E41 - How Kids Learn to Trust Themselves
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I explain one of the most important shifts that happens for children in the play therapy…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E40 - The Roller Coaster of Child Counseling Progress
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I explain why a child's growth and healing process is not linear, even though we often expect…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E39 - Child "Stealing": Why It Happens and How to Handle It
In this episode, I answer a question from a mom about her child taking things that don't belong to her. I explain that while this behavior can feel alarming…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E38 - The Wave Model: From Tsunami to Tide
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I introduce a visual way to understand your child's behavior before and after child-centered…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E37 - The Pendulum Swing: Why Kids Go to Extremes Before They Find Balance
In this episode, I explain the concept of the pendulum swing and why it is such an important picture for understanding what happens in child-centered play…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E36 - The Anger Iceberg: What Your Child Is Really Feeling
In this episode, I explain the concept of the anger iceberg and how it completely changes the way we understand our children's behavior. What we see on the…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E35 - How Birth Order Shapes Your Child's Personality
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I walk you through how birth order shapes your child's personality—and why that matters more…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E34 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Why Kids Melt Down (And What It Actually Means)
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I explain one of the most important mindset shifts we can make as parents: behavior is…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E33 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Helping Children Build Healthy Self-Esteem
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I talk about self-esteem, the seventh and final common issue that often brings children into…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E32 - ADHD Diagnosis: What Parents Need to Think Through
In this episode, I answer a question from a mom who is trying to decide whether to pursue an ADHD evaluation for her six-year-old while he is already in play…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E31 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Relational Struggles (When Kids Have Trouble Connecting)
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…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E30 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Understanding Aggression in Kids (What's Really Behind It)
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I talk about aggression — one of the most common concerns that brings children into…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E29 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Internalizing Behaviors (When Kids Keep It All Inside)
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I talk about internalizing behaviors and how they often go unnoticed because these kids keep…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E28 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Externalizing Behaviors (When Big Feelings Come Out as Big Behavior)
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I explain externalizing behaviors — what they are, why they happen, and how child-centered…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E27 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Understanding Power Struggles in Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I focus on power and control — one of the most common reasons children enter child-centered…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E26 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Understanding Anxiety in Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I focus on anxiety — one of the most common reasons parents seek child-centered play therapy…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E25 - "That's Mine!" Understanding Possessive Behavior in Kids
In this episode, I answer a question from Melissa about children who are possessive of their things and struggle with sharing. I explain why phrases like…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E24 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Layers of an Onion-How Children Work Through Issues in Play Therapy
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I explain the idea of layers of an onion and how it helps parents understand what's really…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E23 - How to Respond When Children Are Put in the Middle of a Divorce and Conflicting Messages
In this episode, I answer a question from a mom navigating a difficult co-parenting situation during divorce. Her young children are repeating things they've…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E22 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Why Kids' Brains Work Differently in Therapy
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I explain how a child's brain works differently from an adult's brain in therapy — and why…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E21 - Helping Kids Speak Up in Co-Parenting Situations
In this episode, I answer a question from Deborah about co-parenting, shared custody, and how to support a 12-year-old who doesn't want to go back and forth…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E20 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Self-Fulfilling Prophecy (How Child-Centered Play Therapy Changes the Story)
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I explain the concept of self-fulfilling prophecy and how it shapes a child's behavior…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E19 - Sibling Jealousy: A Middle-Child Perspective
In this episode, I answer a question from Kylee about sibling jealousy — specifically how her seven-year-old daughter reacts during her siblings' birthdays. I…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E18 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: The Nature/Nurture Balance Behind Kids' Behavior
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…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E17 - Why Your Child Fights for Control — and How to Respond
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I talk about how many challenging behaviors in young children can be traced back to one core…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E16 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: "Snowball Effect" and the Power of Momentum in Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I explain the idea of snowball momentum — how one area of growth in child-centered play…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E15 - How Medical Trauma Impacts Power and Behavior in Kids
In this episode, I respond to a parent who's navigating a long list of confusing behaviors with her six-year-old — from struggles with socks and underwear to…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E14 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: How One Child in Therapy Changes the Whole Family
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I talk about how your child becomes the "identified change agent" in the family once they…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E13 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Why Kids Fight for Control (and What to Do About It)
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I talk about one of the biggest underlying causes of difficult behavior — a child's need for…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E12 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Moving Toward the Middle-How Parent and Child Growth Connect
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I talk about how parents and children move toward each other during the play therapy process —…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E11 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Seeing Behavior as Communication
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I talk about how we interpret our children's behavior — and why it's so important to see…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E10 - Handling Power Struggles and Big Feelings the Child-Centered Way
In this episode, I answer a listener question from Lisa about how play therapy helps when parents aren't in the room — and how to handle power struggles and…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E9 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Four Universal Outcomes of Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I explain the four universal outcomes of child-centered play therapy — the lifelong benefits…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E8 - When Kids Won't Sleep Alone or Panic at School Drop-Off: A Parent's Guide to Separation Anxiety
In this episode, I answer a listener question from Ellie, a mom navigating separation anxiety with her 9- and 7-year-old children. We unpack the root of…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E7 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: How Symbolic and Thematic Play Reveal What Children Are Working Through (and Why Parents Should Understand It)
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I explain one of the most important parts of understanding what happens in the playroom —…
- Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
S3E6 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: The Four Phases of Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I walk through the four phases of the child-centered play therapy process. Understanding these…