Playful Beginnings

Do your kiddos sometimes feel out of control? Or do they move from one activity to the next? Do you struggle in maintaining calm and connection when there is chaos in the room? In this episode, Drs. Kristie and Maggie explore how kids can show up in the play therapy space and how they maintain their "be with" attitudes to ensure children feel safe, secure, and understood. Next week, we will explor...

🎙️ New Episode: Supporting Grieving Children After the Texas Floods with Drs. Jenifer Balch, Kristie Opiola, and Maggie Parker In this powerful episode of Playful Beginnings , we come together in the wake of the devastating floods in Texas to talk about how children experience grief—and how parents, teachers, and communities can show up to support them. Dr. Jenifer Balch, an expert in grief and tr...

🎙️ Episode 2 — Tech, Play, & Presence: A Conversation with Dr. Rachel Altvater In this episode of Playful Beginnings , we sit down with Dr. Rachel Altvater , licensed psychologist, registered play therapist supervisor, and leading voice on the integration of technology in child therapy. Dr. Altvater brings her signature clarity and compassion to a conversation about how modern therapists can t...

🎙️ New Episode Alert! We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Rachel Altvater to Playful Beginnings ! 💛 In this episode, we dive into the power of presence, play, and connection in the therapy room. Dr. Altvater brings her wisdom on integrating technology, co-regulation, and authentic attunement into work with children—and how therapists can show up fully, even when the work gets messy. Whether you’re a cl...

Do you sometimes feel caught off guard when parents report they do not want their kids to "just play" in therapy? Are you unsure how to respond? Do you struggle with wanting to defend yourself but not sure how to do so? In this episode, Kristie and Maggie answer a listener's question: What do I say when a parent shares they had a terrible experience in therapy because all the child did was play? W...

Are you a play therapist and a parent? Do you sometimes struggle being child-centered all the time? Or to see your kids from your child-centered perspective? In this episode, Maggie opens up about her struggles as a parent and the helpful ways Kristie shares how she helps Maggie reframe from a CCPT perspective.

How do you "convince" parents that CCPT works? How do you share with parents how you see their child's growth in the playroom? We answer these questions and more on this episode of Playful Beginnings, we answer supervisee's questions regarding how to work with parents. Enjoy! @playfulbeginnings @playtherapyspace playtherapyspace.com

Are you stuck without a supervisor? Are you not sure how to go about finding a supervisor that aligns with your views of children? Or a play therapy supervisor? In this episode of Playful Beginnings, Kristie and Maggie explore supervision in play therapy, questions they encourage their students to ask supervisors, and aspects to consider when both providing and receiving play therapy supervision....

Do you struggle to incorporate kids into family therapy? Do you feel like kids are less engaged in the family therapy process? It is likely because their developmental needs aren't being met. Listen to the latest episode of Playful Beginnings to gain insights into family play therapy and how to incorporate families in developmentally appropriate ways!

Do you want to include families in your work with children? Are you interested in learning more about how CCPT aligns with family work? In this episode, Kristie and Maggie share insights into Child Parent Relationship Therapy, a way of working with caregivers and families from a child centered perspective. Listen to this episode of Playful Beginnings! playtherapyspace.com

Do you struggle responding to children's questions in the playroom? Are you not sure how to align when answering when identifying as Child Centered? In this episode, Kristie and Maggie explore kids' questions and how to respond. Using their own experiences and understanding the complex nature of questions, they delve into how and when play therapists can respond to children.

Do you find yourself asking a lot of questions in the playroom? Is it hard to break the habit? In this episode, Kristie and Maggie explore questions- their use, their purpose, and their alignment with Child Centered Play Therapy. They share ways in which they help students engage meaningfully and break the habit of question, question, question! This episode can also be helpful for parents and teac...

Diagnosis is hard. It can feel scary to put a label on a child, especially if you just met them! It is important to explore the whole child and rely on your theory and your training. In this episode, Kristie and Maggie share their perspectives on diagnosis, how they work to understand the child, and the steps they take to ensure they provide thoughtful and accurate diagnoses. Enjoy!

Do you wonder if you should have books in the playroom? Do you struggle with knowing whether they add to the relationship or detract from it? In this episode, Drs. Kristie and Maggie examine their perspectives of books in the playroom from a child centered perspective. This episode will highlight the rationale from a theoretical perspective, as well as aspects to consider when exploring if you sho...

Do you have games in the playroom? Have you been told you need to have games in the playroom? Do you struggle with games as a Child Centered Play Therapist? In this episode, Drs. Kristie and Maggie explore games from a CCPT perspective, share insights into how they've navigated games in the playroom, and questions play therapists should ask themselves before including games in the playroom. Enjoy!

Do you sometimes feel stuck with clients? Do you feel like you struggle to engage and/or understand? Is it hard to find new things to say when children engage in the same play activities each week? In this session, Maggie and Kristie explore how they work to engage, share vulnerable moments when we struggled, and provide ways to ensure that as play therapists we are focused on the children's needs...

Dr. Krystal Turner is back exploring the impacts of her dissertation, the ways her experiences in play changed her perspectives on parents, and the people who continue to support her throughout her journey. Listen in and gain insight into what a dissertation really is, the importance of meeting people where they are rather than by what you may believe to be true, and the beauty of play therapy rel...

Have you wondered how the toys in the room represent your clients? Do you want to make sure that children feel safe and seen in your space? In this episode, Dr. Krystal Turner talks about her journey to play therapy and how she works to support children in the playroom. Dr. Turner's doctoral journey focused on ensuring all children felt seen in the playroom.

In this episode, Drs. Kristie and Maggie explore how to provide empathy for children in the playroom, and what they do in the moments they struggle to provide empathy. Sometimes, it is difficult to provide unconditional positive regard, and Kristie and Maggie explore how they work to always provide it for all children, and how they get there.

Dr. Opiola and Parker share their personal experiences with children who experienced trauma. They share insights into their practices, how trauma has shown up in some cases, and ways they work to be mindful and responsive to their clients.

Today Drs. Parker and Opiola discuss child centered play therapy and childhood trauma. Drawing on person experience, theory, and neurobiology, Kristie and Maggie explore how CCPT can help children heal and grow through trauma.

In this episode, Kristie and Maggie explore authenticity in the playroom, what that looks like, and the impacts on children. Transparency can go a long way- this episode may also be helpful for adults who work with children and may struggle with knowing what to share and how-especially when the adult is having a difficult time. Enjoy!

In this episode, we explore experiences in the playroom that are powerful and moving, as well as the safety of the play therapy space for both children and other play therapists. we examine the experience of true acceptance in the play therapy space. Additionally, we explore how Dee can "pick up" when someone would be a great play therapist!

In this episode, Kristie and Maggie share their activities for Play Therapy Week, as well as some "aha" moments from the playroom!

In this episode, Kristie and Maggie speak with their mentor, professor, supervisor, and friend, Dr. Dee Ray. Dr. Ray is a play therapy author tackling subjects like Child Development and Cultural Reflexivity in the Playroom, as well as researching the efficacy of Child Centered Play Therapy. She is an internationally renowned speaker, traveling the world to share her love of Child Centered Play Th...