Play Therapy Podcast Dr. Brenna Hicks

In this episode, I address a therapist's question about working with a 9-year-old boy struggling with severe separation anxiety. The child's anxiety stems from an experience of an upset stomach while living in Tanzania, which he has now anchored to feeling safe only when his mother is present.
I explain the importance of understanding the root cause of the anxiety and how it helps guide our approach. Rather than viewing it strictly as separation anxiety, I emphasize the somatic nature of the child's experience and the need to desensitize him gradually through empowering choices.
I provide practical strategies for allowing the mother's presence in the playroom while slowly increasing the child's time without her. This involves giving the child choices about the duration of the mother's stay, thus fostering a sense of control and ownership over the process. I also highlight the necessity of coaching the mother on her role and expectations to ensure the child-centered model remains intact.
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://ccptcollective.com
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com
APT Approved Play Therapy CE courses: https://childcenteredtraining.com
Twitter: @thekidcounselor   https://twitter.com/thekidcounselor
Facebook: https://facebook.com/playtherapypodcast
References:
Cochran, N., Nordling, W., & Cochran, J. (2010). Child-Centered Play Therapy (1st ed.). Wiley. 
VanFleet, R., Sywulak, A. E., & Sniscak, C. C. (2010). Child-centered play therapy. Guilford Press. 
Landreth, G. L. (2002). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (2nd ed.). Brunner-Routledge.
Bratton, S. C., Landreth, G. L., Kellam, T., & Blackard, S. R. (2006). Child parent relationship therapy (CPRT) treatment manual: A 10-session filial therapy model for training parents. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.
Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

In this episode, we get into the fine details of limit setting in play therapy sessions. I emphasize the importance of the "limit setting pause" – a crucial moment where we take a beat to understand the child's underlying emotions, needs, and motivations before setting a limit. By taking this pause, we can set limits and offer choices that truly resonate with the child's "why".
I share practical strategies to hone this skill, such as taking session notes to track the child's play themes and emotions and mental rehearsal—practicing limit-setting scenarios in our heads during routine activities like driving or exercising. This mental practice allows us to explore different "whys" behind a child's behavior and prepare effective reflections of feelings and appropriate choices.
Throughout the episode, I stress the significance of understanding the "why" behind a child's actions, as it informs the choices we offer and ensures they align with the child's original need or desire. By mastering this skill, we can set limits more effectively, maintain acceptance of the child, and create a safe and supportive environment for their therapeutic growth.

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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://ccptcollective.com
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com
APT Approved Play Therapy CE courses: https://childcenteredtraining.com
Twitter: @thekidcounselor   https://twitter.com/thekidcounselor
Facebook: https://facebook.com/playtherapypodcast
References:
Cochran, N., Nordling, W., & Cochran, J. (2010). Child-Centered Play Therapy (1st ed.). Wiley. 
VanFleet, R., Sywulak, A. E., & Sniscak, C. C. (2010). Child-centered play therapy. Guilford Press. 
Landreth, G. L. (2002). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (2nd ed.). Brunner-Routledge.
Bratton, S. C., Landreth, G. L., Kellam, T., & Blackard, S. R. (2006). Child parent relationship therapy (CPRT) treatment manual: A 10-session filial therapy model for training parents. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.
Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

In today's episode, I got to sit down with Dr. Jodi Mullen and talk about CCPT supervision. Dr. Mullen is an RPT-S and CCPT-Master and brings decades of experience to this conversation.
I know you hear this from me often, but I wanted you to hear the message from someone else, who is an actual RPT-S, of why and how important it is to have a supervisor who is also wholly child-centered play therapy orientated.   
During our conversation, Dr. Mullen and I hit on some topical gems of wisdom about CCPT supervision.
I hope you enjoy this special episode as much as I enjoyed making it.  It was a pleasure to "talk shop" with Dr. Mullen and share stories and inspiration with her.
Follow Dr. Jodi Mullen!
https://www.integrativecounseling.us/
https://www.instagram.com/integrativecounseling/
https://www.facebook.com/integrative.counseling.7
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodi-mullen-phd-lmhc-rpt-s-748ba521/
https://www.youtube.com/@IntegrativeCounselingServices
 
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://ccptcollective.com
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com
APT Approved Play Therapy CE courses: https://childcenteredtraining.com
Twitter: @thekidcounselor   https://twitter.com/thekidcounselor
Facebook: https://facebook.com/playtherapypodcast

In today's episode, I got to sit down with Dr. Jodi Mullen and talk about the world of CCPT, and specifically, Dr. Mullen's specialty of childhood trauma.
 
I hope you enjoy this special episode as much as I enjoyed making it. It was a pleasure to "talk shop" with Dr. Mullen and share stories and inspiration with her.
 
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://ccptcollective.com
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com
APT Approved Play Therapy CE courses: https://childcenteredtraining.com
Twitter: @thekidcounselor   https://twitter.com/thekidcounselor
Facebook: https://facebook.com/playtherapypodcast

In this episode, we tackle a sensitive but common issue faced in child-centered play therapy: managing enuresis and encopresis among young clients. I answer a question from Juliette in Georgia, addressing how therapists can maintain a child-centered approach while dealing with bathroom accidents during therapy sessions.
First I discuss the underlying factors of bathroom accidents, such as control, anxiety, and somatic responses, and practical strategies for handling these incidents both in the therapy room and when communicating with parents. I also talk about the importance of normalizing these accidents and providing reassurance to both the child and their parents, emphasizing that such incidents are common and manageable with the right approach.
Key points include:
The dual approach to acknowledging accidents in therapy: either neutrally bringing them up as observations or choosing not to mention them unless the child does, depending on the therapist’s assessment of the situation. The necessity of having spare clothes and understanding the logistics and ethical considerations involved in helping a child manage an accident. Strategies for discussing these issues with parents to ensure they understand the emotional and physiological factors driving their child’s behavior, thereby reducing stigma and anxiety around the topic. This episode is essential for any play therapist seeking effective techniques for handling one of the more challenging aspects of working with children, providing both theoretical insights and practical advice to enhance your therapeutic practice.

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://ccptcollective.com
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com
APT Approved Play Therapy CE courses: https://childcenteredtraining.com
Twitter: @thekidcounselor   https://twitter.com/thekidcounselor
Facebook: https://facebook.com/playtherapypodcast
References:
Cochran, N., Nordling, W., & Cochran, J. (2010). Child-Centered Play Therapy (1st ed.). Wiley. 
VanFleet, R., Sywulak, A. E., & Sniscak, C. C. (2010). Child-centered play therapy. Guilford Press. 
Landreth, G. L. (2002). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (2nd ed.). Brunner-Routledge.
Bratton, S. C., Landreth, G. L., Kellam, T., & Blackard, S. R. (2006). Child parent relationship therapy (CPRT) treatment manual: A 10-session filial therapy model for training parents. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.
Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

In this episode, we take a pause from my planned curriculum to address a crucial skill that many therapists find challenging: limit setting in child-centered play therapy. Over the next two weeks, we will explore this topic in depth, aiming to refine and enhance your limit-setting techniques.
Limit setting in therapy sessions is a multifaceted skill that integrates the ability to reflect feelings, communicate limits neutrally, and provide viable choices. Despite its complexity, mastering this skill is vital for effective therapy, especially as it is less frequently practiced compared to other techniques like reflecting feelings or encouraging children. This rarity can make each instance of limit setting feel urgent and high-pressure, particularly in situations where immediate behavioral management is required.
Today’s discussion unpacks the reasons why therapists often struggle with this skill and suggests practical strategies to improve. We delve into the importance of practicing empowerment choices—simple decisions given to children that enhance their sense of control. This practice not only boosts children's confidence but also helps therapists become more adept at the seamless integration of choices into limit-setting scenarios.
Join me as I lay the groundwork for next week's continuation of this topic, where we will focus more on practicing and refining the specific steps involved in effective limit setting. This series aims to provide you with the tools and confidence needed to tackle one of the more complex aspects of child-centered play therapy, ensuring that you can support your young clients in the most effective manner possible.
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://ccptcollective.com
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com
APT Approved Play Therapy CE courses: https://childcenteredtraining.com
Twitter: @thekidcounselor   https://twitter.com/thekidcounselor
Facebook: https://facebook.com/playtherapypodcast
References:
Cochran, N., Nordling, W., & Cochran, J. (2010). Child-Centered Play Therapy (1st ed.). Wiley. 
VanFleet, R., Sywulak, A. E., & Sniscak, C. C. (2010). Child-centered play therapy. Guilford Press. 
Landreth, G. L. (2002). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (2nd ed.). Brunner-Routledge.
Bratton, S. C., Landreth, G. L., Kellam, T., & Blackard, S. R. (2006). Child parent relationship therapy (CPRT) treatment manual: A 10-session filial therapy model for training parents. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.
Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.