It was my pleasure to interview Dr. Brandy Schumann for today's podcast episode. Dr. Schumann is the creator/owner of the Bag of Air, the best quality and most durable "Bobo" in every play therapist's playroom! I have 4 Bags of Air, in my center (one over 9 years old), and I encourage every play therapist to invest in a quality Bobo. So I thought it would be enlightening to have Dr. Schumann on the show to talk about the significance of the Bobo in play therapy sessions, and other topics...

In this episode, I address a therapist's question about working with a 9-year-old boy struggling with severe separation anxiety. The child's anxiety stems from an experience of an upset stomach while living in Tanzania, which he has now anchored to feeling safe only when his mother is present. I explain the importance of understanding the root cause of the anxiety and how it helps guide our approach. Rather than viewing it strictly as separation anxiety, I emphasize the somatic nature of the...

In this episode, we get into the fine details of limit setting in play therapy sessions. I emphasize the importance of the "limit setting pause" – a crucial moment where we take a beat to understand the child's underlying emotions, needs, and motivations before setting a limit. By taking this pause, we can set limits and offer choices that truly resonate with the child's "why". I share practical strategies to hone this skill, such as taking session notes to track the child's play themes and...

In today's episode, I got to sit down with Dr. Jodi Mullen and talk about CCPT supervision. Dr. Mullen is an RPT-S and CCPT-Master and brings decades of experience to this conversation. I know you hear this from me often, but I wanted you to hear the message from someone else, who is an actual RPT-S, of why and how important it is to have a supervisor who is also wholly child-centered play therapy orientated.    During our conversation, Dr. Mullen and I hit on some topical gems of wisdom...

In today's episode, I got to sit down with Dr. Jodi Mullen and talk about the world of CCPT, and specifically, Dr. Mullen's specialty of childhood trauma.   I hope you enjoy this special episode as much as I enjoyed making it. It was a pleasure to "talk shop" with Dr. Mullen and share stories and inspiration with her.   Ask Me Questions:  Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: [email protected] Brenna's CCPT Hub: https://www.playtherapynow.com CCPT Collective (online community...

In this episode, we tackle a sensitive but common issue faced in child-centered play therapy: managing enuresis and encopresis among young clients. I answer a question from Juliette in Georgia, addressing how therapists can maintain a child-centered approach while dealing with bathroom accidents during therapy sessions. First I discuss the underlying factors of bathroom accidents, such as control, anxiety, and somatic responses, and practical strategies for handling these incidents both in...

In this episode, we take a pause from my planned curriculum to address a crucial skill that many therapists find challenging: limit setting in child-centered play therapy. Over the next two weeks, we will explore this topic in depth, aiming to refine and enhance your limit-setting techniques. Limit setting in therapy sessions is a multifaceted skill that integrates the ability to reflect feelings, communicate limits neutrally, and provide viable choices. Despite its complexity, mastering...

In this episode, I tackle a nuanced situation shared by Nell from Maryland, a play therapist working with an 11-year-old client who does not speak during therapy sessions. Despite not being diagnosed as selectively mute, the child exhibits behaviors akin to selective mutism, engaging in play but not verbal communication.   While the child's parents are fixated on verbalization as the primary goal, I offer a crucial reframing. I also discuss the child's interaction with toys, particularly...

In today's episode, I start the first episode in a new series on advanced CCPT concepts. Today I'm discussing a metaphor/story that I tell parents during consultations that I refer to as the Reverse Pandora's Box. This idea is crucial for understanding the natural process of regression and progress in therapy. Drawing from the mythological story of Pandora's Box, where once opened, it unleashed uncontrollable chaos, I discuss how the reverse is true in child-centered play therapy. Children,...

In today's episode, I answer a question from Summer in Illinois.  She asked about the use of board games in the playroom. As a tool in child-centered play therapy, board games serve as a conduit for emotional growth, problem-solving, and social interaction. This episode's content highlights how the structured nature of board games can be leveraged to foster meaningful therapeutic outcomes. I also go over the most common questions I get about board games in the playroom, such as cheating,...

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I continue the discussion into the child-centered filial approach within play therapy. I recently conducted a filial CEU course, and I want to share the insights I learned from participant feedback. I identified six key takeaways, offering valuable perspectives for integrating CPRT (Child-Centered Play Therapy) into practice. Highlights include the importance of vetting parents for suitability, clarifying that CPRT is distinct from couples...

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a question from Marian in Ireland regarding the Touchstone story, a method sometimes used in initial therapy sessions. While acknowledging the intention behind the Touchstone story, I delve into why it doesn't align with child-centered play therapy principles. Instead, I propose ways to achieve similar goals through child-centered approaches. I emphasize the importance of creating a safe and comfortable environment for children in their...

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I cover the goals of filial therapy. I'm focusing primarily on the Child-Parent Relationship Training (CPRT) model. Facilitators need to understand the importance of these goals for parents, children, and the therapist. For parents, the goals of filial therapy include gaining tools, knowledge, and a new way of interacting with their children, ultimately leading to a stronger parent-child relationship. Children, on the other hand, benefit from...

Lightning Round Q&A #4! - Four listeners contacted me with five questions, so here we go with Lightning Round #4.  I'm so grateful to you and your investment in child-centered play therapy.  You are why I do this podcast.  Thank you for your emails and phone calls.   Here is a summary of the questions: Pamela from Texas - The child keeps getting "bad" behavior notes from school. When do we know that a child has moved into the Termination Phase Rattanyoo (Bonus) from Thailand - How to...

In this episode, we delve into filial therapy, continuing our exploration of working with parents and families. Filial therapy, derived from the Latin word for family, encompasses various theoretical orientations, with our focus being on the child-centered approach. I emphasize the importance of empirical support in our work and highlight statistics indicating that active parental engagement leads to better outcomes. Notably, parents utilizing play therapy skills with their children have...

In today's episode, we dive into a question from Ariana about children's consistent play themes of battles and fights in therapy sessions. Ariana shares her experiences with clients repeatedly setting up battle scenes with varying degrees of aggression, leading to character deaths each time. We explore interpretations of this repetitive play, including themes of power and control, dominance, means to an end, destruction, and third-person aggression. Additionally, we discuss the significance...

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I'm going to take one more week to drive home the most important concept in engaging parents in the play therapy process. Through numerous discovery calls for the Play Therapy Professional Certification program, a common theme emerged: the need for guidance on communicating with parents. While we've covered this topic extensively in previous episodes, I felt compelled to delve deeper into the MINDSET necessary for successful parent engagement....

In this special episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I deviate from our usual schedule to share an inspiring email from a listener named Nathan. His email details how child-centered play therapy (CCPT) has transformed his career and life. Nathan, a social worker, shares his journey of transitioning from directive treatment methods to CCPT after discovering the podcast. He describes the challenges he faced in articulating the CCPT process to parents and the remarkable progress he made in...

In this episode, I discuss effective strategies for communicating with schools as a play therapist. It's important to understand that school personnel aren't always trained in mental health, so approaching them with empathy and support can make a big difference. I share tips on focusing on the child's successes and growth, offering resources and insights, and fostering a collaborative tone in conversations. By building relationships with schools and educators, we can better support children's...

In this episode, I delve into a question from Batsheva about how to distinguish between play that stems from a child's imagination versus play influenced by screen time. As someone who authored the book "Device Detox," I'm deeply passionate about reducing children's screen time due to its harmful effects. While it's true that screen-influenced play can disrupt the purity of imaginative play, it's crucial to trust the child's process regardless of what they bring into the playroom. Whether...

In this episode of The Play Therapy Podcast, I tackle a critical issue: how to communicate with parents while keeping confidentiality intact. Drawing from my experiences at my center and insights from my coaching program, I dive into the delicate balance between transparency and confidentiality in our conversations with parents. I share what information is appropriate to share with parents, such as themes, observations, and progress updates while stressing the importance of safeguarding...

In this episode, I address a question from Margaret in Indiana regarding credentialing for play therapy. Margaret, like many others, expressed concern about her lack of formal training in child development and whether it's necessary to become a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). I reassure Margaret and our listeners that there's nothing proprietary about the title "play therapist," and individuals can use it to describe themselves if they provide play therapy, regardless of their degree or...

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I look into the intricacies of helping parents navigate problematic behaviors exhibited by their children. I provide insights from three different angles: addressing parental concerns during the initial consultation, equipping parents with tools and skills during subsequent consultations, and addressing behaviors exhibited in various environments outside the therapy room. I emphasize the importance of helping parents understand the underlying...

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a question from Alexa in Texas about case conceptualization. Alexa, soon to be an RPT, seeks guidance on how case conceptualization fits into the Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) model and how to document it. I emphasize that while case conceptualization is standard practice in the field and often tied to insurance, it's not necessarily clinically necessary, especially in private pay settings like at my center. However, for those...