Playful Beginnings

When we think of depression in adults, we picture sadness, withdrawal, and low energy. But in children, depression rarely looks like a miniature version of adult despair. Instead, it frequently masks itself as irritability, physical somatic complaints, or behavioral outbursts. In this episode, we break down the complex symptomology of childhood depression, discuss why these signs are so easily mis...

Episode 2: Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr. Kristi Perryman as we delve into the transformative power of Child-Centered Play Therapy in schools. Discover how this approach not only enhances the school experience but also nurtures emotional growth and resilience in children. Tune in to learn why play is more than just fun—it's a vital tool for development and understanding.

"Toys are children's words and play is their language." It is with heavy hearts, but profound gratitude, that we dedicate this episode to the father of Child-Centered Play Therapy, Dr. Garry Landreth. The play therapy community lost a giant, but his legacy lives on in every playroom, every therapeutic relationship, and every child who has ever been truly seen and heard through the power of play. I...

What happens when we meet children where they spend the majority of their lives—not in an isolated clinic, but right in the school building? In this episode, we sit down with the incredible Dr. Kristi Perryman, Director and Founder of the Office of Play Therapy Research and Training at the University of Arkansas and Chair-Elect for the national Association for Play Therapy (APT) Board. Long before...

In this episode, the hosts sit down with prominent child-centered play therapy (CCPT) researcher Dr. PJ Bianco to discuss the complex real-world challenges of practicing in school environments. The conversation centers heavily on a common point of friction for school counselors and contracted clinicians: navigating school administrations that ban or restrict aggressive toys from the playroom . The...

Play Therapy & Academic Success In this episode of Playful Beginnings , the hosts sit down with Dr. PJ Blanco to unpack his groundbreaking research on the correlation between Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) and academic achievement . Key Takeaways from the Conversation: The Academic Disconnect: Schools frequently pour resources into traditional academic interventions (tutoring, extra drills...

Play Heals and Helps Kids Thrive in School! 🧸📈 When people think of Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), they usually think about emotional regulation, trauma healing, and behavioral growth. But did you know it also has a massive, evidence-based impact on academic achievement ? On this week’s episode of Playful Beginnings , we are thrilled to sit down with the incredible Dr. PJ Blanco to talk abo...

Working with kids in a school setting is a whole different ballgame. Between the ringing bells, packed schedules, and the pressure of academic demands, finding the space and time to truly connect with a child can feel like a jigsaw puzzle. In this week’s episode of Playful Beginnings , we are breaking down practical, real-world tips and tricks for working with kids within the school system ! 🧩✨...

In this episode, we pivot to a topic that touches almost every practitioner: Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) in schools . Whether you are a full-time school counselor or a private practitioner connecting for an IEP meeting, the school environment brings a unique set of dynamics and challenges. Join Dr. Christie Opiola and Dr. Maggie Parker as they share their diverse experiences working within...

Episode Summary In this episode, Dr. Lisa Rice joins the show to challenge traditional behavioral approaches to special education. As an accomplished researcher in inclusive education and the co-host of the On Her Side podcast, Dr. Rice discusses the critical importance of a "relational plate" when working with autistic children in school systems. The conversation delves into the "conflict cycle"...

In this episode of Playful Beginnings , Dr. Maggie Parker and Dr. Kristie Opiola sit down with Dr. Elisabeth Rice, an Associate Professor at George Washington University and co-host of the On Her Side podcast. The conversation explores the nuanced and often overlooked presentation of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in girls. Dr. Rice discusses how traditional diagnostic criteria, largely based on m...

Often, therapists are pressured to focus solely on behavioral outcomes. But Dr. Regine Chung’s research shows us that when we provide a truly Child-Centered environment, non-verbal children don’t just 'behave'—they thrive. Dr. Chung joins us to share her longitudinal findings, providing the clinical community with the data needed to advocate for relational, neurodiversity-affirming care. Key Takea...

Stop choosing between "compliance" and "connection." 🧩 Can Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) actually work for non-verbal children with Autism? Dr. Regine Chung says YES—and she has the data to prove it. If you’ve ever felt like your playroom wasn't "set up right" for neurodivergent clients, or feared that making adaptations would "ruin" the Child-Centered model, this episode is your roadmap. In...

Caring for the whole child means seeing beyond a diagnosis. 🌈 How does Child-Centered Play Therapy align with the needs of autistic children? It starts by recognizing that play is the universal language of childhood—regardless of neurotype. In this episode, Dr. Kristie Opiola and I sit down with Dr. Regine Chung to discuss: Moving from a 'deficit' model to a 'strength-based' approach. The role of...

What if Child-Centered Play Therapy wasn't just compatible with autism — but was, at its core, designed for it? In this episode, Dr. Christie Opiola and Dr. Maggie Parker explore the profound alignment between CCPT and the needs of autistic children. Not as a conversation about modifying or adapting the approach — but as an argument that Carl Rogers' six core conditions already speak directly to w...

You asked, we listened. You want to know about how to work with parents and make the links between diagnosis/presenting concerns and child centered play therapy. Listen in to this week's episode of Playful Beginnings for a greater understanding of childhood anxiety, how it shows up in the playroom, and bridging the gap with parents. #playtherapy #childcenteredplaytherapy #CCPT #childcenterede #pla...

Anxiety in kids isn't always fear—sometimes it's rigid play or outbursts. 🌪️ Dr. Hayley Stulmaker joins the Playful Beginnings Podcast to explain how Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) helps kiddos process anxiety. Listen here: [Link] 🚀 #PlayTherapy #ChildhoodAnxiety #ParentingTips

Often, we miss the signs because they don't look like what we expect. In the latest episode of the Playful Beginnings Podcast , we break down how gender differences shape anxiety behaviors in kiddos—and how you can spot them early. 🎧 Click the link to listen and subscribe for more insights!

In this episode of Playful Beginnings , Dr. Kristie Opiola and Dr. Maggie Parker shift the spotlight to one of the most common—yet frequently misunderstood—experiences in childhood: Anxiety. While anxiety is a universal human emotion, it wears many different "masks" in the playroom and at home. This episode explores the nuance of the anxious child, moving beyond the stereotype of the "worried kid"...

In this episode of Playful Beginnings, we delve deeper into ADHD and CCPT with expert Amy Work. Amy examines how ADHD can show up in the playroom, the symptoms and characteristics of ADHD, and how to support children and parents using CCPT. It is important to remember that there is no "hard and fast" rule- that with CCPT and children, there is always fluidity- so these are things to look for and e...

How do CCPT therapists support regulation, attention, and emotional growth without turning therapy into behavior management? In this episode of Playful Beginnings , we’re joined by ADHD expert and Child-Centered Play Therapy clinician Amy Work for a rich, practice-informed conversation on how CCPT aligns naturally with the nervous system needs of children who present with or are diagnosed with ADH...

ADHD is often treated as a compliance problem rather than a nervous system and executive functioning difference. In this episode of Playful Beginnings , we examine: • Core ADHD symptom presentation across development • Regulation, impulse control, working memory, and emotional modulation • Why behavior-based interventions alone frequently plateau • How Child-Centered Play Therapy supports intrinsi...

Are you missing the subtle signs of ADHD in your home or classroom? ADHD is often misunderstood- we hear about it all the time, but what is it actually? In this episode of Playful Beginnings, Kristie and Maggie delve into what ADHD looks like in children. It's more than just "can't sit still." And often, boys and girls demonstrate ADHD differently. Tune in as we outline the core symptoms you may b...

Parents often ask: “What does this diagnosis actually mean for my child?” Play therapists often ask: “How do I explain diagnosis without labeling, limiting, or pathologizing the child?” In this episode, we explore: • What diagnosis is (and isn’t) in child mental health • How CCPT conceptualizes the whole child beyond symptoms • How therapists can guide parents into developmentally informed convers...

When we talk about diagnosis in children, it’s easy to feel like we’re "boxing them in." But at PlayTherapySpace , we view diagnosis through a different lens: The Child-Centered Perspective. A diagnosis isn’t a definition of who the child is—it’s a guide to how they experience the world. 🌍❤️ Why it matters: It validates their struggle: It tells the child, "There is a reason why this feels hard fo...