Lessons from the Playroom Lisa Dion

In this episode, Lisa is joined by special guest Brian Keating, a Certified Synergetic Play Therapist and Certified Group Psychotherapist. Brian specializes in tele-play therapy and is a contributing author to Advances in Online Therapy: Emergence of a New Paradigm. He's presented on topics including grief, childhood bereavement, and the therapeutic use of the video game Minecraft, which is the focus of this episode. 
Join Lisa and Brian as they demystify the use of video games in therapy, with a particular focus on Minecraft, the most popular and successful video game ever to hit the market. Here are just a few of the key takeaways from this episode: 
Gain insight into Minecraft's therapeutic potential and ways to integrate it into the therapeutic process. Explore transitioning from a "doing" to "being" perspective of Minecraft during therapy. Understand various modes of gameplay and the therapeutic themes they evoke, including how Minecraft is a version of sandtray and art therapy. Learn to communicate gaming's therapeutic benefits to parents and caregivers. Examples of directive interventions and non-directive interventions when playing the game. Understand how video games can support a client with body awareness and how to regulate their nervous system.  Reflect on using Minecraft in one-on-one versus group therapy settings and learn from Brian's experiences (including his mistakes) with video games in therapy. Tune in and discover the transformative potential of incorporating something as seemingly simple as a video game into your therapy sessions. Uncover the therapeutic magic behind Minecraft and how special it is for kids when we speak their language!
*For those not familiar, Minecraft is a sandbox video game that allows players to build and explore virtual worlds made up of blocks. It offers various modes, including Survival mode where players must gather resources, craft tools, and fend off enemies, and Creative mode where players have unlimited resources to build anything they can imagine.
Podcast Resources: 
Synergetic Play Therapy Institute Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey  Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity * If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and invite your friends/fellow colleagues to join us.

Original Air Date: March 28, 2023
Join Lisa for a crucial conversation addressing a topic often overlooked in the therapy community: the profound impact of trauma exposure on therapists and helpers alike.
As therapists, we find ourselves on the front lines, intimately engaging with trauma exposure day after day, session after session. Despite the ideal of remaining objective observers, the reality is that we are deeply affected by the traumas our clients share. This episode sheds light on the inevitability of experiencing secondary impacts such as compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma, or secondary traumatization.
Discover:
How every therapist inevitably experiences a secondary impact when working with clients in trauma, crisis, or challenge. The effects of being impacted by the same traumas as our clients. The occurrence of our own unresolved traumas surfacing in the therapy room. Strategies for reconnecting with ourselves both inside and outside the therapy session, particularly during moments of activation. Listen and take a moment to honor your journey as a therapist. Reflect on the sacrifices you make and explore ways to mitigate the impact of trauma exposure. Embrace the wisdom of learning to be with ourselves through these challenges and cultivate a lifestyle that supports our chosen career path.
You are extraordinary! Much love on your journey 💕
Podcast Resources: 
Synergetic Play Therapy Institute Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey  Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity * If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and invite your friends/fellow colleagues to join us.

Original Air Date: March 14, 2022
Join Lisa and Judy Norman, Certified SPT therapist/supervisor and SPT co-teacher, as they unveil the inception of the Synergetic Education Institute (https://synergeticeducation.com/). 🎉🙌 Years in the making, their journey highlights the profound impact of integrating Synergetic Play Therapy principles into school settings to empower educators, school-based mental health professionals, and educational leaders.
Their success story has garnered recognition from renowned developmental trauma expert Heather Forbes, Founder of Beyond Consequences Institute and author of "Help for Billy", who lauds one of their schools as the pinnacle of trauma-informed education. (...wow, thank you Heather 🙏💕)
In this transformative episode, you'll delve into:
Strategies for play therapists to collaborate effectively with schools Techniques to empower educators by shifting mindsets The 5 developmental stages of an educator's journey in meeting children's needs A redefined perspective on trauma-informed education How to redefine self-care and help teachers develop a deeper relationship within themselves (SPT-style) Practical resources to enrich your practice today! Tune in and explore why Heather Forbes hails Judy and the Synergetic Education Institute's work as pioneering "the most advanced trauma-informed school(s)" she's ever encountered - a testament to creating environments where every student feels that "they matter and are important."
Podcast Resources: 
Synergetic Play Therapy Institute Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey  Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity * If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and invite your friends/fellow colleagues to join us.

Join Lisa in this inspiring episode as she sits down with Amit Chintan Ramlall and his father, Dr. Kumar Ramlall, for a heartfelt conversation about navigating life with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Despite facing challenges with independent speech, Amit shares his remarkable journey and how he has embraced his talents and gifts to defy expectations.
Drawing from their personal experiences, Lisa, Amit, and Kumar delve into the misconceptions surrounding ASD and the importance of assuming competence in all clients. They explore the journey of self-discovery, highlighting the invaluable lessons learned from Amit's unique perspective on human behavior.
Through anecdotes and insights, they challenge conventional thinking in therapy, emphasizing the need to meet clients where they are and foster genuine connection. Amit's hunger for understanding Autism and his own journey led to the creation of the Chintan Project, which transforms challenges into opportunities for businesses, showcasing the power of resilience and determination.
Amit’s story also illustrates the complexity of sensory compensation and its impact on neuroplasticity, especially concerning Autism. While neuroplasticity is a powerful tool, we can sometimes assume clients’ needs solely based on it. Amit's experience challenges such assumptions, emphasizing the importance of understanding individual perspectives.
This episode offers a profound reminder to approach therapy with curiosity and humility, recognizing the depth of potential within every individual. Tune in to discover the transformative power of assuming competence and embracing alternative perspectives in therapy. 
[Closing Line: Assume competence - there's always more to uncover for all of your clients!]
*This conversation was inspired many years ago when Lisa met Amit when he was 8 years old at a conference (...he is now 22 years old). They were having lunch together and Amit shared that he would love for people to understand his journey and what it’s like to have Autism Spectrum Disorder and a severe developmental delay. 
**Please note: Research supports that the majority of Autistic people prefer identity-first language (Autistic person). Amit preferred person-first language (person with Autism) and thus he uses that and we honored his choice when referencing Autism in this way.
***For a transcript of this episode, please visit our website at synergeticplaytherapy.com.
Learn more about Amit Chintan Ramlall and his father, Dr. Kumar Ramlall:
*Amit Chintan Ramlall, who has Autism Spectrum Disorder, possesses a unique gift for helping leaders transform their challenges into sources of strength. He embarked on a journey of self-improvement, studying the works of great thinkers and change-makers, which helped him thrive because of his challenges, not despite them. A polymath with a vast knowledge base from reading over 14,000 non-fiction books since age 3, he integrates this knowledge with his unique insights to fulfill his deepest desire to help people discover and manifest their life's purpose. Co-founding the Chintan Project with his father, Dr. Kumar Ramlall, Amit believes that each person or team has a distinct purpose, enabling them to shine and make a significant impact. 
*Dr. Kumar Ramlall, an entrepreneur and medical specialist, co-founded the Chintan Project, InspiroMed Clinics, Inspiram Group, and Chinvest Group. As a respected consultant and physician, he has a distinguished academic background and extensive experience. Together, they aim to help clients leverage their unique purpose and challenges for greater impact and rewards.
Podcast Resources: 
Synergetic Play Therapy Institute Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey  Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity * If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe where

Original Air Date: July 29, 2020
Discover the profound language of the body in therapy! In this episode, Lisa delves into the power of attuning to both our own and the child's body language, crucial for fostering co-regulation in therapeutic settings. 
Gain valuable techniques for staying within your window of tolerance to guide children through their discomfort.
Join Lisa to explore the unerring wisdom of the body and learn to deepen your ability to listen and respond effectively to your clients.
"The body never lies. The body is always revealing the truth relative to the individual's perception in any given moment." - Lisa Dion
Podcast Resources: 
Synergetic Play Therapy Institute Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey  Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity * If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and invite your friends/fellow colleagues to join us.

In today’s episode, we delve into one of the most requested topics of the past year. Dr. Montserrat Casado joins Lisa to shed light on PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections), offering invaluable insights for supporting children, parents, and therapists.
Tune in as Montse and Lisa engage in a captivating conversation, debunking misconceptions about PANS/PANDAS, and offering new ways of understanding and supporting clients and caregivers. Discover Montse's personal journey and her decade-long mission to educate therapists on understanding PANS/PANDAS in children.
Key topics covered:
Understanding PANS/PANDAS: Definitions and associated symptoms, including the gut-brain connection. Impact on immune responses and brain inflammation. Primary issues such as OCD, rage/aggression, developmental regression, and restrictive eating. Exploring underlying factors such as infections and toxicity. Trauma responses and navigating overactive reactions. The complexities of parenting a child with medical challenges and behavioral issues. How PANS/PANDAS impact nervous system regulation and dysregulation Counseling strategies with a focus on the brain and systemic therapy approaches. Supporting attachment and strengthening the parent-child relationship. Hope for healing: Insights into therapeutic strategies and fostering resilience in children with PANS/PANDAS. Wow, wow, wow! 😳🤯 Don't miss this enlightening discussion! Tune in now to gain invaluable insights into supporting children with PANS/PANDAS. 💖
Find the resource Montse recommends here: https://aspire.care/ 
*Dr. Montse Casado was a professor of counseling for 17 years training school counselors, mental health counselors, play therapists and marriage and family therapists. Montse loves working with children and families whether in therapy, schools or empowerment parenting workshops. As an educator, she has done many workshops over the years helping families and clinicians understand children through a holistic, trauma-focused and strength based approach. Her work integrates Play Therapy, Expressive Arts, Trauma, Attachment, Resiliency, Strength-Based Parenting and Nature based activities. Dr. Montse is currently working as a Child/Family Therapist, Parent Educator and Expressive Arts Coach/Educator in North Carolina. One of her passions is to educate child therapists as to how to Understand PANS/PANDAS in Children.
Podcast Resources: 
Synergetic Play Therapy Institute Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey  Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity * If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and invite your friends/fellow colleagues to join us.