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
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...
S3E6 – Parent Companion for Play Therapy: The Four Phases of Child-Centered Play Therapy
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I walk through the four phases of the child-centered play therapy process. Understanding these phases helps parents know what to expect as their child progresses through therapy — from the initial...
S3E5 – Parent Companion for Play Therapy: What the Therapist Does in Session
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I answer one of the most common questions parents have: What does a child-centered play therapist actually do? From the outside, it might look like kids are just playing, but in reality, everything the...
S3E4 – Parenting Through Co-Parenting Struggles and Sibling Fights
In this episode, I answer a question from Barry in the UK about co-parenting struggles, sibling conflict, and feeling overwhelmed when kids fight. I share encouragement from another listener’s success story and then walk through Barry’s challenges step by step....
S3E3 – Parent Companion for Play Therapy: How Child-Centered Play Therapy Works
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I explain how child-centered play therapy (CCPT) actually works — and why it’s different from directive play therapy. Parents often assume all play therapy looks the same, but there are big differences....
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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....