Play Therapy Community

Episode 49:  The Art of Raising Honest Children with Integrity In This Episode:     Children learn way more by watching what we do, than by listening to what we say to do. This is why it is so important to live our lives with integrity and good character.  It was super important before we had children, but it's more important now than ever as it could impact generations to come. There are quite a...

Episode 48:  EMDR Therapy: Helping Children Move Past the Tough Stuff In This Episode:     Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, also known as EMDR, is an effective, research and evidence-based therapy that helps free people from painful memories, anxiety, intrusive thoughts and other disturbances from exposure to trauma or especially disturbing situations.  And, it works with children to...

As a Play Therapist, I love using art with my clients!  Art engages more of the brain in the healing process.  But what about home? Is it important to have our materials and home? They can get messy look a little bit cluttered, be expensive sometimes, and take some time to delve into.  Is it worth it? The answer is yes! Art helps children in so many ways. Art projects can definitely help with conf...

"Is my kid addicted to video games?"  I hear that question all the time from parents.  The word "addiction" is thrown round a lot these days… Video game addiction is not actually in the diagnostic manual per se, but some families have a real issue with their child being clued to a video game for many hours of the day. Sometimes, this is at the detriment of the social relationships play, family rel...

I'm really excited about this episode with Dr. Temple Grandin!   She's so inspirational to me and many around the world.  She has written so many books on Autism!   In this episode, she talks about what it was like growing up for her with Autism, what helps and what doesn't.  She also provides some great tips for parents, teachers, and therapists to help raise kids that have a sense of purpose and...

I love Sandtray Therapy!  In my early days as a therapist, while I was working towards licensure Tammi Van Hollander was very influential on growth as a, then, aspiring Play Therapist (to be).  She has a private practice in Ardmore, PA. Her passion and enthusiasm to helping people through Play Therapy is contagious.  Since then, I have had years of experience with Sandtray, but will never, ever fo...

Tiffanie Trudeau, LMHC, LPC, CSAT, NCC is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Florida as well as a Licensed Professional Counselor in the Commonwealth of Virginia and District of Columbia.  She earned a Dual Bachelor's of Art degree in Psychology and Criminology and a Master's of Art degree in Mental Health Counseling.  She has advanced training in:  Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DB...

Episode 42, When a Child is Shamed   In This Episode:   It's important to understand what shame is and what isn't Shaming is when someone induces humiliation, embarrassment, and a feeling of guilt, regret, or deep sadness on another person. Shaming is not motivating, although that is a common misconception.  Sometimes people think "if they feel really bad about what they did, then they won't do it...

Episode 41, When a Parent Feels Judged   In This Episode:   What does it mean with someone feels "judged"?  When you feel something in your heart that your mind knows isn't true.  It can wreak havoc on family relationships. One thing that I remember from a pre-marital training called Pre-Cana was the emphasis of not sharing personal disagreements and issues with friends and family members.  When p...

Episode 40, A Parent's Guide to Having a Productive & Helpful Meeting at School   In This Episode:   Many different types of meetings occur in the school setting.  For parents, the most common are parent / teacher conferences, IEP meetings, 504 meetings, meetings to address a specific concern and/ or gather information, and so on. ..   Each school has its own culture and each district and/or schoo...

Episode 39, Understanding the Aftermath of Trash Talk   In This Episode:   Let's begin this episode with a clear understanding of what I mean when I mention "trash talk".   My definition of "trash talk" is when someone intentionally attempts to degrade someone by speaking poorly of them a manner that involves defamation, malintent, and  purposeful degradation of another.  This is also known as poo...

In This Episode:   Click Here for the Free Download: DISTRESS SCALE for Before / After Calming Techniques Today's episode is all about what it is like when a parent struggles with anxiety, as well as some options to heal from and some coping skills to get through the trying times.   My work has been greatly influenced by my work in EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing and reading books...

"When something bad happens you have three choices. You can let it define you, let it destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you." Anonymous This week's episode is all about our experience with Hurricane Matthew in Florida.   I invited my daughter Angel on the show to share her experience with it all as well. We discuss what it was like to prepare for it, leave our home, arrive at a nearby safe...

Parenting can get really stressful at times, especially if you have difficult circumstances.  Kids are so very different in regards to their strengths and special needs.  And, some situations are definitely more difficult than others.  Some children really require a specialized set of skills, as well as an environment that helps them function.  For example, parents of kids with ADHD really benefit...

In This Episode:   The words "I Hate You" can cut deep, especially when they are from your child.   When emotions get heated all kinds of comments can surface.   Let's begin with an understanding of how the brain works.   I love Dr. Seigal's Handy Model of the Brain.  His simple explanation of how the brain functions can give us a better understanding of how an "I Hate You" can slip out.  The good...

Episode 34,  Labyrinths for Focus, Calmness, and Connection   In This Episode:  I had the pleasure of having a conversation with Neal from Relax 4 Life. I first learned about Neal after purchasing one of his labyrinths to use with my students. I was in search for a tool that was easy to use that helped kids calm down, focus, and regain collectedness enough to go back to class after feeling bothere...

Depression is an often misunderstood condition.   I think lots of times, the term "depression" get's thrown around.  In this episode I want to talk about what it is, what it is not, what helps, what doesn't and how it can affect the realm of parenting.   It's so much more than just "being sad". There are many types of depression. Having a baby, childbirth, can trigger a plethora of powerful emotio...

In This Episode:   Anxious feelings during back to school time are not uncommon especially in times of transition such as kindergarten, moving from elementary to middle school, from middle to high school, and then eventually college.  This time can be really stressful for kids and families.  It may look like crying, clinginess, lower tolerance levels that lead to tantrums sometimes, somatic sympto...

In This Episode:   Today we're talking about emotional abuse.  Through my work, I help clients heal from this and move past the wounds that it can leave.  It can be a trauma.   Unfortunately, emotional abuse can take a huge toll on one's self-confidence and self-esteem levels.   Being in an emotionally abusive relationship can have people questioning their life choices and own self-worth. Today's...

Episode 30, Knowing the Difference Between a Tantrum and a Meltdown and How to Respond to Both   In This Episode:   Tantrums A tantrum and a meltdown are different.  It's important to differentiate between the two as it helps guide a helpful response by the parent.  Knowing that tantrums are a result of the child trying to get something and meltdowns are a reaction to sensory overstimulation. A ta...

In This Episode:   I'm reflecting on all the times I have made a mistake as a parent. Whew! This realization cans me quite humbling. Now, to be completely honest, I could not possibly remember each time that I have made a parenting mistake. Or any mistake for that matter. As I have probably made about a gazillion mistakes in my lifetime, and certainly many of them during last 13-ish years as a par...

  In This Episode:   We'll hear Stephanie Sanders explain the realm of Speech and Language services for children in the school setting.  She mentions that the group setting is most common with her work. She also tells us that it differs from the home setting, where she would work with the child one on one.   She created a curriculum that she developed over the course of 4 years while working with...

Parenting in the Rain, Episode 27, How to Heal and Move on After Divorce Are you a parent worried about your child through your divorce? Here's a link to my s Free Parent Class http://jackieflynnconsulting.com/parentingthroughdivorce   In This Episode:   It's important to identify the emotional pain by naming the feelings. Dr. Siegel says "When we can name it, we can tame it!".  This is so true. ...

Parenting in the Rain, Episode 26 A Child is Like a Butterfly Are you a parent worried about your child through your divorce? Here's a link to my s Free Parent Class http://jackieflynnconsulting.com/parentingthroughdivorce   In This Episode:   Just like a butterfly needs the struggle of emerging from the chrysalis to get it's blood to it's wings then ultimately fly, so does a child.   Giving child...

Parenting in the Rain, Episode 25 Divorce and Sports Are you a parent worried about your child through your divorce? Here's a link to my s Free Parent Class http://jackieflynnconsulting.com/parentingthroughdivorce   In This Episode:   Brian Brunkow is a San Diego-based lawyer, Glazier Head Coach Academy speaker, and the author of Zero Offseason – a guidebook on divorce & sports parenting.   With a...