Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast

In the milestone 50th episode of 'Pondering Play and Therapy,' Philippa and Julie reflect on their podcast journey over the past year. They discuss how the podcast has influenced their professional practices, thoughts about play and therapy, and personal growth. They also recount interviews with various experts, including insights on unstructured play, the role of play in emotional regul...

In this episode of Pondering Play and Therapy, Julie hosts Alan Herron, CEO of Play Board Northern Ireland. They discuss the organisation’s 40-year history, founded during the troubles of the mid-1980s in Northern Ireland, to offer children safe play opportunities amidst political unrest. Alan shares insights on the significance of play in breaking down societal barriers and fostering community co...

In this episode of Pondering Play and Therapy, Philippa interviews Sarah Amanda, a relationship manager for the Arts Council England and a playwright, director, and dramaturg. They discuss the role of a dramaturg in shaping and supporting scripts, as well as the diverse responsibilities of a relationship manager in connecting artists and organisations across various art forms. Sarah shares her exp...

In this week's episode of Pondering Play and Therapy, host Philippa interviews her co-host Julie about her diverse career path. Julie shares her early aspirations of becoming a car mechanic or ballerina, but ultimately became a primary school teacher. She narrates her transition to play therapy, influenced by her experiences with children in the classroom and a particular puppet, Rita, who he...

Parenting Insights with Dr. Vanessa Lapont Join Philippa in this illuminating episode of 'Pondering Play and Therapy' as she sits down with Dr Vanessa Lapointe, a seasoned psychology expert turned global parenting advocate. With over 20 years of experience, Dr Lapointe shares her invaluable insights on parenting from a developmental perspective. They delve into the importance of focusing...

In this episode of 'Pondering Play and Therapy' with Philippa, guest Claire discusses the growing issue of school anxiety among children. The conversation explores the potential reasons for increased anxiety, including heightened academic pressures, the complexities of modern social interactions, and the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent children. Claire highlights the importance...

In this episode of 'Pondering Play and Therapy', host Philippa interviews Greg, an author and child advocate from 'Can I Go and Play Now?'. Greg talks about his journey from working in a scrap store to becoming a passionate advocate for play and autonomy in children. He shares his experiences and methods for helping teachers and adults connect with their inner child and incorpo...

In this episode of 'Pondering Play and Therapy,' Philippa and Julie delve into the essence of play therapy. They discuss the common misconception that play therapy is solely about teaching children how to play. The conversation shifts to the nuances of what play therapy entails, from addressing developmental delays in play to providing a safe space for children to explore relationships a...

In this week's episode of 'Pondering Play and Therapy', host Philippa welcomes Dr. Sharon Giblin, a consultant clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience working with children and families. Philippa and Sharon discuss the attachment cycle, the concepts of shame and guilt, and the therapeutic approach known as PACE (Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity, and Empathy). Sharon...

In this week's episode of 'Pondering Play and Therapy' with Philippa, the guest is Charlotte Booth, the owner of Leek Play Hub and former senior lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University. Charlotte recounts her extensive career in education, from teaching early years groups to becoming a senior lecturer, and her recent transition back to working directly with young children. Th...

Episode 39 – Navigating Therapeutic Support in Fostering with Jaid Bennett In this episode, Philippa is joined by Jaid Bennett , Deputy Regional Manager at Fusion Fostering in the Southwest. Together, they explore what it means to be a foster carer, the challenges and rewards of supporting children who have experienced trauma, and the importance of embedding therapeutic approaches into everyday ca...

In this episode of Pondering Play and Therapy, Philippa and Julie dive into the concepts of play and symbolism in therapeutic settings. They discuss how play therapists like Julie use symbolism in sessions with children to explore emotions and experiences. The conversation covers the differences between primary and secondary relationships in play therapy, the use of objects to facilitate play, and...

 Play Therapy and Animal-Assistance with Jasmine Williams In this episode, Philippa is joined by Jasmine Williams , a play therapist, teen counsellor, and animal-assisted therapist based in Queensland, Australia. Jasmine shares her journey from teaching into play therapy, explains the four stages of therapeutic play , and highlights the importance of creating safe, supportive environments for chil...

In this episode of Pondering Play and Therapy, our host welcomes Sarah Lloyd, a consultant occupational therapist and play therapist, who introduces her innovative BUSS model, focusing on Building Underdeveloped Sensory Systems (BUSS). Sarah shares her journey from traditional therapy to integrating sensory motor systems with therapeutic relationships, particularly for children with disrupted earl...

In this week's episode of 'Pondering Play and Therapy', Philippa is joined by Peppy Hills, a multifaceted professional with extensive titles including play therapist, creative practitioner, and clinical supervisor. Peppy shares her journey from childhood movements and imaginative play to her contemporary roles, offering insight into the importance of creative arts, community connect...

Join hosts Julie and Philippa as they reflect on the last seven months of 'Pondering Play and Therapy' podcast. They discuss their experiences, highlight notable guests, and ponder the future direction of the show. Topics include the significance of play throughout different stages of life, the impact of COVID-19 on free play, and international perspectives on incorporating play into var...

In this episode of Pondering Play and Therapy, Julie from South London welcomes Mostak from Dhaka, Bangladesh. They discuss their shared qualification in play therapy and explore how their training paths intersected at Roehampton University. Mostak shares his experiences working as the only BAPT-certified play therapist in Bangladesh, delving into the cultural perceptions of therapy and the challe...

In this week's episode of Pondering Play and Therapy, Philippa welcomes Penny from NVR Northampton to delve into the concept of Nonviolent Resistance (NVR) as a parenting approach. They discuss the origins of NVR, its application to different family dynamics, and how it provides caregivers with strategies to stand against harmful behaviours in a caring and collective manner. The episode explo...

Join Julie as she interviews Simon Airey and they delve into the intersection of neurodiversity and play. In this episode, Simon shares his personal experiences as an autistic adult, discussing how everyday activities like sorting and organising can be forms of play. They also explore the concept of play in early childhood education, emphasising the importance of child-led and neuro-affirming prac...

In this episode of 'Pondering Play and Therapy,' host Philippa welcomes Joseph Franks, a veteran in the field of mental health nursing since 2004. Joseph discusses his varied career, which spans working in mental health services, teaching at the University of West London, and his pivotal role as the mental health lead at Reading Prison. His experiences highlight the vulnerabilities faced...

In this episode of Pondering Play and Therapy, host Philippa welcomes Matt, a senior practitioner at CAPA First Response. Matt shares his expertise on child-to-parent aggression, detailing different forms of violence and aggression, and the importance of addressing these behaviours early. Matt emphasises the need for understanding and strengthening the parent-child relationship through effective c...

In this episode of 'Pondering Play and Therapy,' host Philippa interviews Angela Griffith, a registered social worker and independent social care consultant with over 30 years of experience in children's social care. Angela discusses her journey in the sector, beginning in 1991, and the changes she has observed over the years. Angela highlights the importance of strong management in...

In this episode of Pondering and Play Therapy, host Philippa Kelly interviews Charlotte Jenkins, founder of Beacon Family Services and co-founder of the app Looming and Us. Charlotte discusses her journey from a frustrated social worker to establishing innovative, play-based therapeutic solutions for families. She emphasises the importance of connection, nervous system regulation, and understandin...

In this episode of 'Pondering Play and Therapy,' the host converses with Jessica McLaughlin, a senior creative director with 20 years of experience in creating digital content for children. Jessica shares her accidental journey into children's media, her work at Find Your Fun Studios, and her new venture, Play Wise Labs. She discusses the intricacies of designing educational games,...

In this episode of Pondering Play and Therapy, Philippa interviews Marguerite Hunter Blair, OBE, the Chief Executive of Play Scotland. Marguerite discusses her extensive career in advocating for children's play in Scotland and Northern Ireland, including her leadership in establishing the Scottish Play Commission, Scotland's Play Strategy, and the statutory duty for play in the Planning...