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"I Hate My Life!" - What To Do When Your Child Says This, Or Other Shocking Things
If you have a young child between, say, 5 and 11, you've probably heard something shocking come out of their mouth like "I hate my life", or "I wish I were…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist"Parenting Hacks For 2021" - My Observations
If you follow this podcast, you know that I teach fundamentals and foundational parenting skills from a play therapy perspective. I do like to keep my "finger…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistA "Revolutionary" Thing: Empathizing And Listening To Your Kids - A Dad's Story
In this episode, I discuss a story about a Dad that does something "revolutionary"... he tried something new to help his son's tantrums and meltdowns.
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistFinding A Balance Between Kids And Device Use
Are you concerned that your kids spend too much time on devices? Do you wonder if there's a happy medium between no enough and too much? In this episode of the…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistMy "Field of Dreams" Story - If I Build It, Will They Come?
In this episode I talk about my own "Field of Dreams" story. If you know me well, you'd know that I'm a huge baseball fan, and recently, the "Field of Dreams"…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistThe "4 Pillars of Play Therapy" - A training presentation I gave to the 300 school and guidance counselors from the Hillsborough County School System in the Tampa, FL area.
This is a special episode of the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast. I was invited to give a training/presentation to the 300, or so, school and guidance…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist"I Wonder" Statements - How To Get Better, More Meaningful Responses From Your Kids
I wonder how often you get frustrated when your child responds with one-word answers. (See what I did there?) Using "I wonder" statements with your children is…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist"I Love My Kids, But I Don't Like Parenting"
In this episode, I comment on a blog post I saw on todaysparent.com that I couldn't ignore. "I love my kids, but I don't like parenting—and I know I'm not…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist"Encourage The Effort Rather Than Praise The Product"
This is a continuation of the "Rules of Thumb" series [as taken from Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (Bratton & Landreth, 2019)] "Encourage the effort rather…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist"Never Do For a Child That Which They Can Do For Themselves"
You will never know what your child is capable of unless you allow them to try! I know it's hard to watch your child struggle with something, like opening lids…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistAdding Structure to your Summer Prevents Behavior Issues
We are a month into summer... are your kids driving you nuts? It could be that you need to add some structure back into your kids lives to prevent behavior…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist"You can't give away what you do not possess." - How can you extend acceptance to your child if you don't extend it to yourself?
This is a continuation of the "Rules of Thumb" series from the Child-Parent Relationship Therapy curriculum, which is the core training used in my In-Home Play…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist"Digital Pacifiers" - Why Screen Use Is Harming, And Ruining Our Relationships With Our Kids
Another Memorial Day weekend observation... I couldn't believe how many families were at our hotel (poolside, restaurant, lobby, etc.) all ignoring each other…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistWhy Reasoning Doesn't Work with Kids
While my family was on a weekend getaway over Memorial Day weekend, I couldn't help but do some people watching while I was sitting by the pool, reading a…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist"What's most important may not be what you do, but what you do after what you did!"
"We are certain to make mistakes, but we can recover. It is how we handle our mistakes that makes the difference." This is such a great rule-of-thumb from the…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistThe Parenting Journey - 50th Episode Celebration!
This is my 50th episode! I'm so grateful to my podcast listeners. In this episode, I'm looking back on my week's observation of the "Parenting Journey"…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist"Focus on the Donut, Not the Hole"
One of the most important things we can do for our kids to cherish the relationship that we have with them. In this episode, I talk about a Rule of Thumb from…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistNatural Consequences of Behavior
In this episode of the podcast, I talk about the natural consequence of child behavior. There are three points that I'd like to share with you regarding…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist"When a child is drowning, don't try to teach them to swim"
One of the "Rules of Thumb" that we teach you in the In-Home Play Therapy program is this concept of "When a child is drowning, don't try to teach them to…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistThe Four Universal Outcomes of Play Therapy
We all know that therapy is beneficial and that positive change is associated with the process. But what can you count on in terms of areas of growth when a…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistPlay Therapy (spaghetti) vs. Talk Therapy (waffles) : A Comparison
Often people assume that if talk therapy works with adults, it should work with kids, too. But have you ever asked your child a question about how they feel or…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistWake Up! Social Media is Ruining our Kids (TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, etc.)
Do you know what your kids are doing on social media? Do you REALLY know? I work with a lot of pre-teens and teens every week, with debilitating personal…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistCutting: What You Need to Know as a Parent
Cutting: What You Need to Know as a Parent. Why kids are doing it. How they are finding out about it. How they are hiding it. How they are sharing it. What you…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistAnxiety: The Untold Epidemic of 2021 Kids
You probably haven't heard many people talking about how badly our kids are absorbing the "adult response to the coronavirus". No one is really addressing it…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistOne Way Kids Bridge the Gap Between Their Actual Self and Their Ideal Self
Often one of the underlying causes of emotional and behavioral struggles is that who the child wants to be (their "ideal self") is very different from who they…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistHow Angry Emotions Mask Deeper Feelings
Parents are often concerned when children express angry or aggressive behavior. In this podcast exclusive I discuss how parents can recognize the deeper…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistLessons on Consistency and Hard Work Paying Off (Applied to Parenting)
Have you ever wondered if all the work you put into learning how to be a good parent is paying off? Have you noticed that the more consistent you are with…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist2 Main Parenting Goals You Should Be Working On In 2021
Are you setting goals or resolutions for the new year? If so, is one to create a better relationship with your kids? Or to parent in a kinder way? In this…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistDo Your Kids Feel Loved By You? (How to Make Certain)
Are you loving your kids in the way that they feel love? You might be completely wasting your efforts in showing love to your kids, unless you are speaking…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistThe Antidote to Guilt, Shame, and Blame as a Parent
We know that kids don't come with an instruction manual and parenting doesn't have a road map. That often leaves us confused, defeated, frustrated, and ashamed…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistHow to Talk to Your Kid's Teacher About Behavior Problems
Is your child's behavior at school creating stress and anxiety in your family? Do you fear daily reports from the teacher? Are you unsure how to handle what's…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist2 Tips for Parents Dealing with Their Child's Anxiety
Have you ever felt helpless to handle your children's anxiety and worries? Have you tried things that didn't seem to help? Do you want nothing more than to see…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistWhat are the Warning Signs of Anxiety in Children?
Do you wonder if some of your children's behaviors are related to anxiety? Have you seen an increase in big emotions, worry, fear, or confusion? Is one of the…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistIs Your Child a "Two Marshmallow Kid?"
Have you ever felt that your kids are too impulsive? Do they get out of control when they are overly excited? Are they quick to melt down when they don't get…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistWhy your child should say "I'm angry"
You probably hate it when your child loses it when they get upset! But do you know what's going on in their brain when they have that reaction? In this…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistWhat You Need to Know about Your Kids' Thoughts, Emotions, and Behaviors (spoiler - they're all connected!)
Kids say things that often lead us to the wrong conclusions about what is going on. A Yale study reveals how much our feelings influence what we think and do…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistStop trying to reason and rationalize with your child!
Have you ever tried to explain to your child why something they did wasn't a good idea? We've all done it. But here's the problem... kids aren't rational until…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistUnderstanding your kid's big emotions (anger, crying, etc.)
One of the key practices in Play Therapy is figuring out the emotion behind the behavior. When you know what emotion is causing a child to act a certain way…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistSay it in 10 words or less!
Kids under 13 do not have rational thought, yet parents try to rationalize with their kids during discipline. This is completely futile! Kids are emotional, so…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistPediatricians should prescribe PLAY! (not meds)
In this episode of Play Therapy Parenting®, Dr. Brenna discusses how the American Academy of Pediatrics published their "best of" 2019 journal articles, and…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist"Be a thermostat, not a thermometer"
In this episode of Play Therapy Parenting®, Dr. Brenna shares a parenting tip from her private parent coaching class (Child Parent Relationship Therapy [CPRT])…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistToday I Just Want To Encourage You
In this episode of Play Therapy Parenting®, Dr. Brenna just offers some encouragement during this time of unknown. As you adjust to this "new normal", and with…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistThe Truth about "Baker Acting" Kids
In this episode of Play Therapy Parenting®, Dr. Brenna discusses the involuntary committing of minors (known as "Baker Acting" in Florida) to mental health…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistSay Goodbye to Power Struggles with your Kids
In this episode of Play Therapy Parenting®, Dr. Brenna discusses how the root of many, if not most, behavioral issues with kids is Power Struggles. Learn what…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistWhy Reflecting Feelings Works (even on adults!) - Play Therapy Parenting® w/ Dr. Brenna Hicks
In this episode of Play Therapy Parenting®, Dr. Brenna shares a story of a Mom who has taken Brenna's private parenting coaching, using the Reflecting Feelings…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistHow to be truthful with your kids, even when the truth is hard! (great advice for adoptive families) - Play Therapy Parenting® w/ Dr. Brenna Hicks
In this episode of Play Therapy Parenting®, Dr. Brenna discusses the topic of talking to your kids about hard subjects, and why you should do so truthfully, by…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistThe Consequence is Enough - Play Therapy Parenting® w/ Dr. Brenna Hicks
In this episode of Play Therapy Parenting®, Dr. Brenna discusses three ways to prevent the "emotional investment" in our child's behavior from becoming a…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistTo a Child, Different is Bad
Sometimes it's easy to forget if a child has a developmental delay, when dealing with their behavior problems. In this episode, Dr. Brenna Hicks delves into…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistKids already know what they need to work on
"The very heart of play therapy lies in the belief that children innately understand what they struggle with, they just don't necessarily know how to fix it…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistLet Your Kids "Play" Through Their Issues
In this video, Dr. Brenna shares an example from her play room to explain how children "play" through their issues. Whereas adults "talk" or "work" through…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistThe Goodness of Kids
In this video, Dr. Brenna comments on a situation that happened in the lobby of her practice where she overheard a Mom, maybe unknowingly, using a play therapy…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistTrends in Child Diagnoses
From ADHD to Autism Spectrum to ODD, CD and Bi-Polar. Dr. Brenna talks about the trends she observes in her practice about childhood diagnoses. She believes…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistSeeking child therapy does NOT mean you are failing as parents!
Sometimes it is a struggle when families pursue therapy for their kids. In this podcast, Dr. Brenna helps you to understand the way that the therapy process…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistGet Your Kids Moving to Combat Diagnoses!
In this video, Dr. Hicks talks about research revealing that a holistic approach, that aligns with Play Therapy, is effective in combating common child…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistStop Rewarding Negative Behaviors
Many parents don't realize that the way they respond to their kids is actually REWARDING their NEGATIVE behavior! In this video, Dr. Hicks explains what this…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistThe Top 3 Most Preventable Behavior Problems
Dr. Brenna discusses the top 3, most easily preventable reasons kids display behavior problems. So before reacting, mentally go through this list to see if you…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistPlay Therapy with Teens
Play Therapy works for all age groups. In this episode, Dr. Brenna explains what play therapy with teens and older populations may look like, and why it's…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistThe "Magic" of Play Therapy
Sometimes, Play Therapy is described as "Magical" because people don't know why it works so well, it just does. In this episode, Dr. Brenna explains how play…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist#Badmom
A video that I had to record as a result of a simple bumper sticker on a car in front of me… and it is now my personal mission to make every parent claim…
Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child TherapistHow To Increase Your Emotional Vocabulary
The more you understand the "wheel" of emotions, the more you can help your child communicate what they are feeling accurately. In this video, Dr. Brenna Hicks…