Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy

You'll need to be able to explain the play therapy process to both parents and kids in order to thrive in your practice. So in this episode, I help you to set expectations with your parents to prepare for your first child-centered play therapy session with the child.   Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com Email me: brenna@thekidcounselor.com   References: Cochran, N., Nordling, W., & Coc...

In this episode, I go into great depth on the toys in your playroom, the categories, and how they should be organized. I also give you a pretty comprehensive list of toys for your room, and some great tips for how to select them, based on my experience.   Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com Email me: brenna@thekidcounselor.com   References: Cochran, N., Nordling, W., & Cochran, J. (2010...

In this episode, I discuss the logistics of your playroom, including: size of the playroom, toy selection, and and reason behind toy selection, toy "management".  I also talk through the 3 or 5 categories of toys, depending on your background and training in play therapy. Additionally, I address how to go about purchasing toys for a toy room. There are reasons for not purchasing all new toys, and...

In this episode, I address concerns and speak to the questions that parents, teachers, and other caregivers have about the play therapy process. So add these tools in your toolbox for how to educate and evangelize play therapy in your community, in an effective way.   Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com Email me: brenna@thekidcounselor.com   YouTube title: How To Answer Frequently Asked...

From Freud in 1905 to Landreth in the 2000s, I walk through the history that has led to our modern theoretical model of child-centered play therapy.   Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com Email me: brenna@thekidcounselor.com   References: Cochran, N., Nordling, W., & Cochran, J. (2010). Child-Centered Play Therapy (1st ed.). Wiley.  VanFleet, R., Sywulak, A. E., & Sniscak, C. C. (2010)....

In this episode, we pivot from asking why play therapy, to why child-centered play therapy? I cover Axline's eight principles, I dispel myths or incorrect perceptions about child-centered play therapy, and discuss the four mechanisms of change. Finally, I answer the question... does child-centered play therapy really work?   Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com Email me: brenna@thekidcou...

This is the sixth of a six part series from a FAPT conference workshop. In this final part, I go over the Child Centered Play Therapy Timeline, which maps to the four phases of therapy a child goes through in the play therapy process. You will have a tool to share with parents that sets the expectation of therapy, and you'll see, from a clinician side, what phases to expect your clients to travel...

This is the fifth of a six part series from a FAPT conference workshop. In this fifth part, I go over Skills & Techniques of Interaction, which include: The "4 Pillars" of Play Therapy, Reflecting Feelings, Choice Giving, Limit Setting, and Encouragement   Download the slides PDF here: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com/fapt   Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com Email me: brenna@thekidc...

This is the fourth of a six part series from a FAPT conference workshop. In this fourth part, I go over Applied Play Therapy, which includes: Be With Attitudes, Reflective Responding, "I Wonder" Statements, Returning Responsibility, and Relationship Preserving.   Download the slides PDF here: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com/fapt   Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com Email me: brenna@...

This is the third of a six-part series from a FAPT conference workshop. In this third part, I go over the Foundations of Play Therapy: Core Beliefs of Play Therapy. The Foundations of Play Therapy are broken into two parts.  This is the second part addressing the Core Beliefs of Play Therapy.   Download the slides PDF here: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com/fapt   Podcast HQ: https://www.playther...

This is the second of a six-part series from a FAPT conference workshop. In this second part, I review the Foundations of Play Therapy: Philosophy of Play Therapy. The Foundations of Play Therapy are broken into two parts. This is the first part addressing, specifically, the philosophies of play therapy.   Download the slides PDF here: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com/fapt   Podcast HQ: https://...

This is the first of a six part series from a FAPT conference workshop. These next six podcasts are a pre-cursor to the content in future episodes. In this first part, I give an introduction, tell my story about how I got into play therapy, introduce the Child-Centered Play Therapy Model, and then I give a short history of child-centered play therapy.   Download the slides PDF here: https://www.pl...

In this episode, I move from "Why Play?" into specifically why play therapy works so well for kids. I encourage you to get the book Child-Centered Play Therapy by Rise VanFleet, et al, as well as foundational, Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship by Garry Landreth. Many of the topics I discuss from these books, as well as stories, examples, and case studies from my practice.   Podcast HQ: htt...

In this episode we start with the fundamental question, why play? I know there may be seasoned play therapists that listen to this, but whether you are new to play therapy, or experienced, we start our journey into play therapy explaining why play is critical to the well-being of kids. There's something in this episode for everyone, so let's start with play, and then in the next episode we'll focu...

In this first episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I talk about my vision for the podcast and where we will go along this journey together. Consider this podcast like a Masterclass of Child-Centered Play Therapy. My goal is to equip you to be knowledgable and effective, and inspire you to be the best play therapist you can be. Thank you for joining me on this podcast journey!   Podcast HQ: https:/...