Lessons from the Playroom

Original Air Date: May 11, 2021 Separation anxiety is a common challenge in the therapy room—whether it's the child hesitant to leave their caregiver or the parent struggling to step away. In this episode, Lisa unpacks the nuances of separation anxiety and provides actionable tools for therapists to navigate this tender dynamic. Here's what you'll learn: What separation anxiety is, its potential c...

"Your fear will always be the ceiling of your innovation." – Lisa Dion In this special post New Year's episode, Lisa is joined by Jen Taylor, therapist, educator, and mastermind behind Jen Taylor Productions. Together, they kick off the first month of 2025 with an inspiring conversation about goal-setting, vision, and how therapists can master the business side of their practice to create greater...

Original Air Date: June 21, 2022 In this heartfelt episode, Lisa, dives into the tender and often challenging topic of the "shoulds" and "should nots" that we carry as clinicians. These inner judgments—those persistent whispers of self-criticism—show up in the playroom, in our work with parents and caregivers, and even in our personal lives. Joined by two Certified Synergetic Play Therapists, Hele...

" So much of play therapy is about clearing away the conditions that limit children from discovering who they are ." - Georgie Wissen Vincent In this episode, Lisa is joined by Georgie Wissen Vincent.  She is a play therapist, co-founder of the Play Strong Institute, and co-author of The Way of Play: Using Little Moments of Big Connection to Raise Calm and Confident Kids with Dr. Tina Payne Bryson...

Original Air Date: June 19, 2017 In this insightful podcast, delve into the transformative power of gratitude with guidance from Lisa Dion. While it's effortless to appreciate the positives in our lives, what about the challenges? Discover how cultivating gratitude can expand your window of tolerance and foster a compassionate heart. Explore the profound notion that clients enter our playrooms wit...

"Working with families isn't about fixing individuals; it's about finding the rhythm where everyone can grow together." – Dr. Stacy Jagger In this episode, Lisa welcomes back the inspiring Dr. Stacy Jagger, affectionately known as "Dr. Sassy," to dive into a topic that has shockingly never been fully explored in the series: working with the entire family system in play therapy. With her groundbrea...

Original air date: September 27, 2022 Do you know what bibliotherapy is or how to incorporate it into your client sessions? We're resharing this episode in which Lisa Dion is joined by Althea T. Simpson, the founder of Brighter Day Therapeutic Solutions and Unicorn Life Training. Althea is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, Certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Facili...

We're diving into another special Q&A episode of Lessons from the Playroom! Lisa is answering three thought-provoking questions from our listeners, offering insights into some of the tricky moments that arise in the playroom. Tune in as Lisa explores messes, transitions, and those unexpected trips to the bathroom, unpacking what they might signify for the therapeutic process and how to respond wit...

Original air date: February 13, 2023 In this special episode, Lisa welcomes Dr. Robert Jason Grant, creator of AutPlay Therapy, to explore his integrative approach to family play therapy designed specifically for neurodivergent children and their families. Dr. Grant, a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, and dedicated Neurodiversity Advocate, shares his extensive...

Original Air Date: June 12, 2021 In this episode, Lisa dives into the sensitive topic of death and dying as it appears in the playroom, offering guidance and practical insights for therapists. She addresses common questions, such as: What role does death & dying play have for children in the therapeutic space? How can we remain grounded and present when a child explores these themes? How do we emb...

In this heartfelt episode, Lisa Dion, founder of Synergetic Play Therapy, steps into the spotlight as she's interviewed by long-time colleague and Certified SPT Supervisor, Polly Douglass. Together, they explore Lisa's deeply personal experience of transitioning into the "empty nester" phase of life when her daughter left for college.  This episode isn't just for parents—whether you're facing a si...

Original Air Date: May 2, 2019 "The majority of relationship, any relationship, is rupture. Repair is the remedy." - Lisa Dion In relationships—whether with clients or ourselves—rupture and repair are essential. Mis-attunement isn't something we can avoid, nor should we. It's actually a key ingredient in the recipe for building trust. Each moment of rupture and repair forms the bedrock of connecti...

Lisa is back with another episode of the Little Lessons Series, where she answers your insightful questions about the complexities of working in the playroom. In this episode, Lisa dives deep into the theme of authenticity and how it plays a critical role in the therapist-client dynamic. Tune in as Lisa responds to 3 thought-provoking listener questions, exploring how to stay genuine and present w...

Original air date: April 24, 2017 Setting boundaries in the playroom can be a complex process! When to set them? How to set them? Why to set them? Is it important to set them? In this archived episode, Lisa Dion dives deep into these crucial questions, offering new insights on setting boundaries with children in ways you might not have considered before. Join Lisa as she explores: The fundamental...

Lisa welcomes back the remarkable Marie José Dhaese, a trailblazer in the field of play therapy and the original creator of expressive play therapies. Building on their previous conversation about Holistic Expressive Play Therapy, Lisa and Marie José dive even deeper into the profound journey of healing, attachment, and reconnecting to one's true nature. With over 50 years of experience as a regis...

Original air date: May 24, 2022 In this special episode of Lessons from the Playroom, Lisa Dion welcomes the amazing Dr. Bonnie Goldstein, a faculty member at Pat Ogden's Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Institute. Dr. Goldstein has uniquely applied Sensorimotor Psychotherapy to children, making her a pioneer in this field. Hear the delightful story of how Bonnie and Lisa met at the Australian Childhood...

Lisa is back to answer more of your burning questions! And this time, we're diving deep into the world of teens, one of the most complex and rewarding populations to work with in the playroom.  In this episode, Lisa addresses 3 thought-provoking questions submitted by listeners, shedding light on adolescents' nuanced and sometimes perplexing behaviors. Karen asks: "What do you do when a teen doesn...

Original air date: February 28, 2023 We're resharing this episode in which Lisa revisits a frequently asked question: how to support parents and caregivers in regulating themselves and ultimately co-regulating with their child when the child is dysregulated. Offering co-regulatory moments to parents can repattern their nervous systems, empowering them to become their child's external regulator. Jo...

In this insightful episode, Lisa welcomes back the incredible Liliana Baylon, a bilingual English and Spanish multicultural therapist and cultural ambassador for the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute. Building on their previous conversation about the experiences of immigrants and refugees, Lisa and Liliana delve into the evolving language and understanding around newcomers, which includes migrants...

Original air date: January 24, 2019 Child's play is serious business, and games like Peek-a-Boo and Hide-and-Seek are no exception. In this episode, Lisa Dion explores how these seemingly simple games serve as powerful platforms for children to process their emotions. Inspired by her insight, "Games are platforms to help kids process their emotions. Sometimes peek-a-boo and hide-and-go-seek are ju...

In this special episode, Lisa welcomes Tammi Van Hollander, LCSW, RPT-S™, to explore a transformative approach to bibliotherapy. Moving beyond the traditional view of books as cognitive tools, Tammi introduces us to using bibliotherapy as a means for co-regulation, attachment, and creating a sense of safety within the therapeutic space. Tammi, who was initially trained in client-centered play ther...

Original air date: December 6, 2022 Have you ever wondered what intergenerational trauma looks like in a play therapy session? Or how you can support both the child and the parent in integrating this trauma? In this episode, Lisa Dion is joined by Dr. Arielle Schwartz, renowned author of "The Complex PTSD Workbook" and "The Post-Traumatic Growth Guidebook," to discuss this profound topic. Together...

We're shaking things up and doing something we haven't done in a while. In this episode, Lisa is responding directly to your questions! And today, we have three fantastic questions from our listeners that Lisa will be answering. Jennifer asks: "What do you do if a child wants to bring food or their own toys into the session?"  Lisa gives insights and shares different ways to respond. She delves in...

Original air date: November 10, 2019 In this episode, we explore the vital role of play therapists in addressing Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) in the playroom, inspired by Lisa Dion's words: "It's not that children with SPD don't want to regulate; it's that they can't." SPD can present various challenges in the play therapy setting, often making it difficult for children to self-regulate. We w...

In this special episode, Lisa reconnects with a long-time colleague, Nilüfer Devecigil, who joins her from Turkey. Nilüfer completed her master's degree in psychology in the US and worked closely with Byron and Carol Norton, the pioneers of Experiential Play Therapy. She's also the lead teacher for Experiential Play Therapy in Turkey. With extensive experience in attachment parenting and trauma he...