Play Therapy Parenting Podcast
The path to calm, confident, and in-control parenting starts now
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Listen to the Latest Episode
Latest Podcast Episodes
S3E12 – Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Moving Toward the Middle-How Parent and Child Growth Connect
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I talk about how parents and children move toward each other during the play therapy process — and why that shared movement is essential for lasting change. I explain what happens when a child begins to...
S3E11 – Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Seeing Behavior as Communication
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I talk about how we interpret our children’s behavior — and why it’s so important to see behavior as communication. I share a simple but powerful reminder from the phrase that comes from Child-Parent...
S3E10 – Handling Power Struggles and Big Feelings the Child-Centered Way
In this episode, I answer a listener question from Lisa about how play therapy helps when parents aren’t in the room — and how to handle power struggles and aggression at home in a child-centered way. I explain why it’s actually beneficial for children to be alone...
S3E9 – Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Four Universal Outcomes of Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I explain the four universal outcomes of child-centered play therapy — the lifelong benefits every child gains from the process, no matter what brought them into therapy. While each child works through...
S3E8 – When Kids Won’t Sleep Alone or Panic at School Drop-Off: A Parent’s Guide to Separation Anxiety
In this episode, I answer a listener question from Ellie, a mom navigating separation anxiety with her 9- and 7-year-old children. We unpack the root of separation anxiety—how it's often more about a child’s internal anxiety than the separation itself—and discuss the...
S3E7 – Parent Companion for Play Therapy: How Symbolic and Thematic Play Reveal What Children Are Working Through (and Why Parents Should Understand It)
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I explain one of the most important parts of understanding what happens in the playroom — symbolic and thematic play. This episode helps parents make sense of how their child’s play reflects their...
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Foundational Play Therapy Parenting Concepts
S2E8 – Encouragement vs. Praise: The Key to Nurturing Self-Esteem in Your Child
I can't emphasize enough the profound impact of encouragement on a child's self-esteem, self-worth, and overall development. Unlike the other pillars we've discussed, encouragement stands alone as a powerful tool that shapes a child's understanding of their identity,...
Play Therapy Fundamentals
Below is a compilation of my best podcasts covering the most fundamental play therapy skills.All Feelings Are ValidThe Four "Pillars" of Play TherapyThe Importance of Learning to “BE” With Your KidThe “Magic” of Play TherapySay Goodbye to Power Struggles with your...
Rules of Thumb Podcasts
One of the services I offer at The Kid Counselor Center is a 10-week course called Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT). Each week of the course I cover a "rule of thumb" that is a little nugget of wisdom that gives you something to think about as you parent....