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

In this episode, I answer a question from a play therapist in the UK who was trained in an integrative model but is feeling increasingly drawn toward practicing exclusively child-centered play therapy. Her struggle is one that many therapists face when transitioning to CCPT: how do you trust that a completely nondirective approach is enough, especially when working with children who have experienced significant trauma? I explain why CCPT is a complete, empirically supported theoretical model that doesn't require us to switch approaches, introduce directive interventions, or interpret a child's play to facilitate healing. When we understand the theory behind CCPT, we can trust that children are capable of processing even their most difficult experiences through symbolic and thematic play without our intervention.
I also address the temptation to use interpretive "I wonder" statements when a child engages in intense or repetitive play. While those responses may feel helpful, they can introduce assumptions, emotions, or meanings that the child never communicated. Instead, I explain why tracking, reflecting content, and reflecting feelings allow us to remain fully present without influencing the child's process. For therapists transitioning from integrative or directive approaches, I share why becoming fully CCPT is a process of unlearning old habits, developing new skills, and gradually building trust through experience. We won't be perfectly adherent every time, but as we continue to catch ourselves, correct our responses, and remain committed to the model, we begin to see why we never needed those directive or interpretive interventions in the first place.
PlayTherapyNow.com is my HUB for everything I do! playtherapynow.com. Sign up for my email newsletter, stay ahead with the latest CCPT CEU courses, personalized coaching opportunities and other opportunities you need to thrive in your CCPT practice. If you click one link in these show notes, this is the one to click!
2nd Annual CCPT: The Field of Dreams Conference
January 30-31st, 2027. Go to iamccpt.live for more information.
New Resource for Play Therapists: The Parent Companion for Play Therapy is now available at author pricing for therapists. Created specifically to help parents better understand the child-centered play therapy process, this book is designed to support parent engagement, improve buy-in, and reduce attrition throughout the therapeutic journey. As a listener of the Play Therapy Podcast, you can order a copy for just $8 (our cost plus shipping).
Click here to order your author-priced copy. ** Limit 1 per therapist, offer valid in the Continental U.S. only.
Order copies for your practice and save with discounted bulk pricing. Bulk ordering makes it easy to place Parent Companion for Play Therapy directly into the hands of the parents you serve.
If you would like to ask me questions directly, check out www.ccptcollective.com, where I host two weekly Zoom calls filled with advanced CCPT case studies and session reviews, as well as member Q&A. You can take advantage of the two-week free trial to see if the CCPT Collective is right for you.
Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com
Brenna's CCPT Hub: https://www.playtherapynow.com
CCPT Collective (online community exclusively for CCPTs): https://www.ccptcollective.com
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com
APT Approved Play Therapy CE courses: https://childcenteredtraining.com
Common References:
Landreth, G.L. (2023). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship (4th ed.). Routledge.
Landreth, G.L., & Bratton, S.C. (2019). Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT): An Evidence-Based 10-Session Filial Therapy Model (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315537948
Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

In this episode, I take a deeper look at one of the most foundational principles of child-centered play therapy: unconditional acceptance. We talk about it constantly, and most of us would say we wholeheartedly believe in it. But what does it actually look like when a child screams at us for an entire session, refuses to come out from behind the puppet theater, repeatedly tests limits, or does something that makes us genuinely uncomfortable? I explain why unconditional acceptance is much more than a philosophical belief. It requires us to examine our own reactions, recognize when our discomfort is influencing our behavior, and do the personal work necessary to remain neutral and accepting regardless of what the child brings into the playroom.
I also share a practical way to evaluate whether we're truly demonstrating unconditional acceptance: Have I communicated, verbally or nonverbally, that I would prefer the child to be doing something different? Our tone, facial expressions, body language, and even subtle changes in enthusiasm can communicate conditional acceptance without us ever saying a word. I challenge therapists to consider whether their acceptance remains the same when a child is quiet, messy, resistant, angry, or simply doing something we find boring. The heart of CCPT is communicating that the child is accepted exactly as they are, in that moment, without needing to change anything to earn our approval. That's what it means to truly embody the model and live out the Be With Attitudes.
PlayTherapyNow.com is my HUB for everything I do! playtherapynow.com. Sign up for my email newsletter, stay ahead with the latest CCPT CEU courses, personalized coaching opportunities and other opportunities you need to thrive in your CCPT practice. If you click one link in these show notes, this is the one to click!
2nd Annual CCPT: The Field of Dreams Conference
January 30-31st, 2027. Go to iamccpt.live for more information.
New Resource for Play Therapists: The Parent Companion for Play Therapy is now available at author pricing for therapists. Created specifically to help parents better understand the child-centered play therapy process, this book is designed to support parent engagement, improve buy-in, and reduce attrition throughout the therapeutic journey. As a listener of the Play Therapy Podcast, you can order a copy for just $8 (our cost plus shipping).
Click here to order your author-priced copy. ** Limit 1 per therapist, offer valid in the Continental U.S. only.
Order copies for your practice and save with discounted bulk pricing. Bulk ordering makes it easy to place Parent Companion for Play Therapy directly into the hands of the parents you serve.
If you would like to ask me questions directly, check out www.ccptcollective.com, where I host two weekly Zoom calls filled with advanced CCPT case studies and session reviews, as well as member Q&A. You can take advantage of the two-week free trial to see if the CCPT Collective is right for you.
Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com
Brenna's CCPT Hub: https://www.playtherapynow.com
CCPT Collective (online community exclusively for CCPTs): https://www.ccptcollective.com
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com
APT Approved Play Therapy CE courses: https://childcenteredtraining.com
Common References:
Landreth, G.L. (2023). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship (4th ed.). Routledge.
Landreth, G.L., & Bratton, S.C. (2019). Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT): An Evidence-Based 10-Session Filial Therapy Model (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315537948
Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

In this episode, I answer a question about a seven-year-old girl whose play has become increasingly focused on romantic relationships and sexual themes. When a child begins acting out kissing, adult relationships, or other behaviors that make us uncomfortable, how do we respond while remaining faithful to the CCPT model? I explain why children sometimes use play to process things they've been exposed to but aren't developmentally equipped to understand. Rather than assuming something inappropriate has happened or trying to interpret the play, we need to recognize that the child is bringing this into the therapeutic relationship for a reason. If the behavior doesn't warrant a limit based on safety or protecting property, our responsibility is to allow the play to continue.
I also explore what happens when our own discomfort begins influencing our clinical decisions. In this case, the therapist acknowledged that she became uncomfortable, set an unnecessary limit, and ultimately redirected the child's play. I explain why these moments are opportunities for self-examination rather than self-criticism. What was happening internally that made it difficult to remain accepting? Why did we feel compelled to intervene? CCPT requires us to continually examine our own reactions so they don't interfere with the child's process. We don't have to understand, enjoy, or feel comfortable with everything that happens in the playroom. We do have to trust the child, trust the model, and remain committed to unconditional acceptance—even when the play challenges us.
PlayTherapyNow.com is my HUB for everything I do! playtherapynow.com. Sign up for my email newsletter, stay ahead with the latest CCPT CEU courses, personalized coaching opportunities and other opportunities you need to thrive in your CCPT practice. If you click one link in these show notes, this is the one to click!
2nd Annual CCPT: The Field of Dreams Conference
January 30-31st, 2027. Go to iamccpt.live for more information.
New Resource for Play Therapists: The Parent Companion for Play Therapy is now available at author pricing for therapists. Created specifically to help parents better understand the child-centered play therapy process, this book is designed to support parent engagement, improve buy-in, and reduce attrition throughout the therapeutic journey. As a listener of the Play Therapy Podcast, you can order a copy for just $8 (our cost plus shipping).
Click here to order your author-priced copy. ** Limit 1 per therapist, offer valid in the Continental U.S. only.
Order copies for your practice and save with discounted bulk pricing. Bulk ordering makes it easy to place Parent Companion for Play Therapy directly into the hands of the parents you serve.
If you would like to ask me questions directly, check out www.ccptcollective.com, where I host two weekly Zoom calls filled with advanced CCPT case studies and session reviews, as well as member Q&A. You can take advantage of the two-week free trial to see if the CCPT Collective is right for you.
Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com
Brenna's CCPT Hub: https://www.playtherapynow.com
CCPT Collective (online community exclusively for CCPTs): https://www.ccptcollective.com
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com
APT Approved Play Therapy CE courses: https://childcenteredtraining.com
Common References:
Landreth, G.L. (2023). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship (4th ed.). Routledge.
Landreth, G.L., & Bratton, S.C. (2019). Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT): An Evidence-Based 10-Session Filial Therapy Model (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315537948
Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

In this episode, I explore a fascinating concept that helps explain why child-centered play therapy is so powerful in shaping a child's identity: **the Looking Glass Self**. Originally introduced by sociologist Charles Cooley, this concept suggests that we develop our sense of who we are through the messages and perceptions reflected back to us by others. For children, those messages aren't always positive. Whether they're repeatedly told they're difficult, incapable, too young, or not good enough, those experiences can become part of how they see themselves. I explain how these external messages influence a child's developing self-concept and why the formative years are especially important.
I also discuss how CCPT offers children something they may rarely experience elsewhere: a relationship and environment that reflect an entirely different view of who they are. Through unconditional acceptance, empathy, encouragement, and trust, children begin to see themselves as capable, competent, and worthy. I connect the Looking Glass Self to Rogers' person-centered theory, the ideal versus actual self, and the self-fulfilling prophecy to illustrate how children can begin to redefine their identity through the therapeutic relationship. This is also a valuable concept to share with parents because it helps explain how CCPT creates meaningful, lasting change in the way children see themselves.
PlayTherapyNow.com is my HUB for everything I do! playtherapynow.com. Sign up for my email newsletter, stay ahead with the latest CCPT CEU courses, personalized coaching opportunities and other opportunities you need to thrive in your CCPT practice. If you click one link in these show notes, this is the one to click!
2nd Annual CCPT: The Field of Dreams Conference
January 30-31st, 2027. Go to iamccpt.live for more information.
New Resource for Play Therapists: The Parent Companion for Play Therapy is now available at author pricing for therapists. Created specifically to help parents better understand the child-centered play therapy process, this book is designed to support parent engagement, improve buy-in, and reduce attrition throughout the therapeutic journey. As a listener of the Play Therapy Podcast, you can order a copy for just $8 (our cost plus shipping).
Click here to order your author-priced copy. ** Limit 1 per therapist, offer valid in the Continental U.S. only.
Order copies for your practice and save with discounted bulk pricing. Bulk ordering makes it easy to place Parent Companion for Play Therapy directly into the hands of the parents you serve.
If you would like to ask me questions directly, check out www.ccptcollective.com, where I host two weekly Zoom calls filled with advanced CCPT case studies and session reviews, as well as member Q&A. You can take advantage of the two-week free trial to see if the CCPT Collective is right for you.
Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com
Brenna's CCPT Hub: https://www.playtherapynow.com
CCPT Collective (online community exclusively for CCPTs): https://www.ccptcollective.com
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com
APT Approved Play Therapy CE courses: https://childcenteredtraining.com
Common References:
Landreth, G.L. (2023). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship (4th ed.). Routledge.
Landreth, G.L., & Bratton, S.C. (2019). Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT): An Evidence-Based 10-Session Filial Therapy Model (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315537948
Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

In this episode, I answer a question from a therapist in Hong Kong about how to help parents talk to their children about an autism diagnosis. When a child begins noticing that they receive extra support at school or experience the world differently from their peers, should parents explain the diagnosis? And how can they do that without making the child feel that something is wrong with them? I explain why children deserve age-appropriate truth about things that directly affect their lives, and why withholding important information can damage trust in the parent-child relationship. Children are often far more perceptive than we give them credit for, and when they don't understand why they're different, they may begin blaming themselves for their struggles.
I also share practical guidance for helping parents have these conversations without overexplaining, overwhelming the child, or allowing a diagnosis to become their identity. Simple, honest explanations about how a child's brain works differently can provide the understanding they need while leaving room for questions as they arise. I also discuss why we need to be cautious about accepting every childhood diagnosis at face value, particularly ADHD, and why I believe a thorough understanding of the whole child is essential before introducing a label that may follow them for years. Ultimately, our role as CCPTs is to help parents communicate truthfully, protect their relationship with their child, and ensure that a diagnosis provides understanding rather than defining who the child is.
PlayTherapyNow.com is my HUB for everything I do! playtherapynow.com. Sign up for my email newsletter, stay ahead with the latest CCPT CEU courses, personalized coaching opportunities and other opportunities you need to thrive in your CCPT practice. If you click one link in these show notes, this is the one to click!
New Resource for Play Therapists: The Parent Companion for Play Therapy is now available at author pricing for therapists. Created specifically to help parents better understand the child-centered play therapy process, this book is designed to support parent engagement, improve buy-in, and reduce attrition throughout the therapeutic journey. As a listener of the Play Therapy Podcast, you can order a copy for just $8 (our cost plus shipping).
Click here to order your author-priced copy. ** Limit 1 per therapist, offer valid in the Continental U.S. only.
Order copies for your practice and save with discounted bulk pricing. Bulk ordering makes it easy to place Parent Companion for Play Therapy directly into the hands of the parents you serve.
If you would like to ask me questions directly, check out www.ccptcollective.com, where I host two weekly Zoom calls filled with advanced CCPT case studies and session reviews, as well as member Q&A. You can take advantage of the two-week free trial to see if the CCPT Collective is right for you.
Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com
Brenna's CCPT Hub: https://www.playtherapynow.com
CCPT Collective (online community exclusively for CCPTs): https://www.ccptcollective.com
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com
APT Approved Play Therapy CE courses: https://childcenteredtraining.com
Common References:
Landreth, G.L. (2023). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship (4th ed.). Routledge.
Landreth, G.L., & Bratton, S.C. (2019). Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT): An Evidence-Based 10-Session Filial Therapy Model (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315537948
Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.