Next Level Play Therapy: A Podcast for Play Therapy Excellence

Cathi Spooner, LCSW, RPT-S
  • 3.7 (3)
  • How To
  • Updated Weekly

Join me on Next Level Play Therapy, a podcast for child and adolescent therapists seeking to elevate your play therapy services. Hosted by Cathi Spooner, LCSW, RPT-S, at Renewing Hearts Play Therapy Training.   Each episode delves into the nuances of play therapy, exploring innovative techniques, evidence-based practices, and practical strategies for providing exceptional therapeutic experiences. These engaging discussions cover a wide range of topics, including building rapport with children, how to make sure you get great outcomes for clients, therapeutic toys and tools and strategies to use in sessions, addressing trauma and attachment issues, engaging parents, promoting emotional regulation, and nurturing resilience for children and their families. Whether you're an experienced therapist looking to refine your skills or a novice clinician venturing into the world of play therapy, the Next Level Play Therapy podcast equips you with the knowledge and insights to enhance your play therapy practice. With interviews featuring experts in play therapy, exploration of best practices, discussion of game-changing principles and strategies, this podcast equips you with the tools to unlock the amazing power of play therapy to transform the lives of children, adolescents, and families. Tune in to Next Level Play Therapy and take a journey towards becoming an exceptional play therapist as we navigate the next level strategies that lead to profound healing and growth for children and their families.

  1. The Trauma Roadmap: Using Neuroscience & Attachment in Play Therapy

    4d ago

    The Trauma Roadmap: Using Neuroscience & Attachment in Play Therapy

    Send us Fan Mail Are you tired of leaving your play therapy sessions wondering if you’re actually helping or just "playing"? You’ve invested in the play therapy training, you’ve gathered the strategies, and you have a playroom full of tools.  But if you’re like many play therapists, having more information has only led to more confusion.  When you’re in the middle of a play therapy session with a traumatized child or teen, it’s easy to second-guess your decisions and feel overwhelmed by which direction to take. The secret isn’t another weekend workshop or a new set of play therapy activities—it’s having a reliable Play Therapy Roadmap. In this week’s podcast, we’re discussing how to move from clinical overwhelm to grounded confidence.  We’ll explore why a trauma-informed play therapy model acts as your professional GPS, guiding your decision-making through every stage of the healing process. We’ll be diving into: The Play Therapy GPS: Why a play therapy model is essential for knowing exactly where you are (and where you’re going) in treatment.The Neuroscience & Attachment Lens: How grounding your work in these two pillars simplifies your clinical choices.Healing the "Second-Guessing": How to tell if your interventions are truly helping your traumatized clients heal.The Power of Community: Why the "secret ingredient" to clinical success is never practicing in isolation. Stop wondering if you’re doing enough and start using a play therapy framework that provides clarity for you and better outcomes for your clients. Don't forget to subscribe and follow for more weekly insights on mastering trauma-informed play therapy! #PlayTherapy #Neuroscience #AttachmentTheory #TraumaInformed #CathiSpooner #ClinicalSupervision #PlayTherapistLife #MentalHealthProfessionals Join my free Facebook Community Play and Expressive Arts Therapy Playground. Check out my free resources for mental health professionals working with children, adolescents, and families who want to integrate play therapy and expressive arts into their clinical work. I work with individuals and agencies to develop successful strategies and meet the treatment needs of your child and adolescent clients and their families using play therapy & expressive arts. Contact me to schedule a free 30-minute video call if you're ready to level up your skills

    39 min
  2. Is Trauma Really Stored in the Body? New Science for Play Therapists

    Jun 4

    Is Trauma Really Stored in the Body? New Science for Play Therapists

    Send us Fan Mail Is trauma actually "stored" in our organs, or have we been looking at it all wrong? For years, play therapists have repeated the mantra that "trauma is stored in the body," but a groundbreaking 2026 peer-reviewed article is challenging this foundational belief. If you’ve ever felt like the "storage" explanation didn't quite click, this episode is for you. Join me, Cathi Spooner, for this week’s podcast as we explore the evolution of trauma research and what it means for your playroom interventions.  We’re diving deep into the science of Predictive Coding and  Metastability to understand why the autonomic nervous system actually activates during traumatic triggers. In this episode, we’ll explore: The "Storage" Myth: Why trauma is likely a "disorder of prediction," not physical storage in organs.Predictive Coding 101: How the brain-body feedback loop assesses danger before conscious awareness.Healing Through "Flow": How flow states and high-challenge activities can disrupt rigid neural patterns.Smarter Psychoeducation: How to explain these complex shifts to parents and caregivers using clear, accurate language. As play therapists, staying current with evolving research is critical to providing the best care for traumatized children and teens.  Let’s ground your approach in the latest science and move toward more effective, somatic-based regulation strategies. Don't forget to subscribe to Cathi Spooner - Renewing Hearts Training for weekly play therapy clinical tips! Citation: Kolter, S., Mannino, M., Fox, G., and Friston, K. (2026). The body does not keep the score: Trauma, predictive coding, and the restoration of metastability. Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience. doi.10.3389/fnsys.1812957 #PlayTherapy #TraumaInformed #Neuroscience #PredictiveCoding #CathiSpooner #MentalHealthProfessionals #TraumaHealing Join my free Facebook Community Play and Expressive Arts Therapy Playground. Check out my free resources for mental health professionals working with children, adolescents, and families who want to integrate play therapy and expressive arts into their clinical work. I work with individuals and agencies to develop successful strategies and meet the treatment needs of your child and adolescent clients and their families using play therapy & expressive arts. Contact me to schedule a free 30-minute video call if you're ready to level up your skills

    49 min
  3. Beyond Labeling: Why Emotional Granularity is the Key to Resilience in Play Therapy

    May 28

    Beyond Labeling: Why Emotional Granularity is the Key to Resilience in Play Therapy

    Send us Fan Mail Helping children and teens identify and label their emotions is a core therapeutic goal in play therapy, but simply naming a feeling isn't enough.  In fact, an overfocus on "feeling good" can sometimes hinder the healing process. To build true resilience, we need to help clients move from basic affect to high emotional granularity. In this free weekly podcast, we dive into the science of how emotions are constructed and how play therapists can move beyond simple labeling to help traumatized children differentiate between real and perceived threats. What you’ll learn: What is Emotional Granularity? Why the ability to distinguish "frustrated" from "sad" is a predictor of better mental health and regulation.Affect vs. Emotion: Exploring Lisa Feldman Barrett’s research on how emotions are mental constructions based on past experience and culture.The Role of Emotions in Play Therapy: Using strategies that promote resilience in play therapyCommon Mistakes with Trauma: Why we must address the belief systems (cognitions) tied to emotions to avoid over-focusing on the feeling alone.Predictive Brain & Safety: Using the therapeutic relationship and co-regulation to help children rewire their brain's predictive responses to trauma. About Cathi Spooner: I help play therapists and mental health professionals master the art of play therapy with children and families.  Subscribe for weekly discussions on building resilient hearts through play therapy. Citation: Feldman Barrett, L. How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain (2017) Join my free Facebook Community Play and Expressive Arts Therapy Playground. Check out my free resources for mental health professionals working with children, adolescents, and families who want to integrate play therapy and expressive arts into their clinical work. I work with individuals and agencies to develop successful strategies and meet the treatment needs of your child and adolescent clients and their families using play therapy & expressive arts. Contact me to schedule a free 30-minute video call if you're ready to level up your skills

    49 min
  4. The Missing Piece: How to Include Parents in Play Therapy for Children with Trauma

    May 21

    The Missing Piece: How to Include Parents in Play Therapy for Children with Trauma

    Send us Fan Mail Using play therapy with traumatized children and teens is complex, and many play therapists find themselves asking:  "Where do the parents fit in?" “What do I do if my client is in foster care?  How do I include parents?” Too often, parents or caregivers are left out of the process or integrated without a clear plan. This can lead to missed healing opportunities or accidentally triggering trauma. In this free weekly podcast, we’re diving deep into the critical role of parents (caregivers) in the trauma healing process.  I’ll walk you through a fictitious case study (Carla) to show you exactly how to move from case conceptualization to successful treatment planning, including parent integration. 🎯 In this week’s episode, we discuss: The Conceptualization Process: How to identify the "what" and "how" of parent inclusion.Neuroscience & Attachment: Understanding the parent's role through a biological and relational lens.Practical Strategies: Key things to consider when bringing parents into the playroom. Stop feeling overwhelmed and start building a clear plan for your clients' success.  Join my free Facebook Community Play and Expressive Arts Therapy Playground. Check out my free resources for mental health professionals working with children, adolescents, and families who want to integrate play therapy and expressive arts into their clinical work. I work with individuals and agencies to develop successful strategies and meet the treatment needs of your child and adolescent clients and their families using play therapy & expressive arts. Contact me to schedule a free 30-minute video call if you're ready to level up your skills

    42 min
  5. Play Therapy Case Conceptualization: Trauma, Attachment & Behavior

    May 14

    Play Therapy Case Conceptualization: Trauma, Attachment & Behavior

    Send us Fan Mail If you’ve ever left a play therapy session thinking…  “I see the behaviors—but what’s actually driving them?” You’re not alone. And more importantly—you’re not supposed to stay stuck there. In this podcast episode, we break down how to use case conceptualization in play therapy through a neuroscience and attachment lens so you can finally understand what’s at the root of a child’s behavior — not just what’s showing up on the surface. Using a case study of a 7-year-old child in foster care (fictitious client), you’ll learn how trauma, attachment disruption, and the nervous system shape behaviors like clinginess, withdrawal, food hoarding, and sleep difficulties — and how to respond in a way that actually promotes healing. Because here’s the shift:  👉 Behavior isn’t the problem. It’s the clue. 🎯 In this week’s podcast episode, we’re discussing: What case conceptualization in play therapy actually is (and why it changes everything)How to move from surface behaviors → root causes using a trauma-informed lensHow the nervous system drives behavior in children with trauma historiesHow attachment patterns show up in the playroom and at homeWhat to look for in play themes and symbolic expressionHow to stop guessing in play therapy sessions — and start making confident clinical decisions 🧠 Why This Matters Without a clear case conceptualization, it’s easy to: Chase behaviorsSecond-guess your interventionsFeel like your sessions lack direction But when you understand the why behind the behavior, everything shifts. You become more grounded.  More intentional.  More effective. 👩‍⚕️ Who This Is For: ✔ Play therapists working with traumatized children and teens  ✔ Child therapists feeling unsure what’s happening in play therapy sessions  ✔ Clinicians wanting to integrate neuroscience + attachment into play therapy  ✔ Play therapists ready to move beyond “just using activities” If you’re ready to stop guessing in the playroom and start seeing what’s really happening beneath the behavior… This is where it starts. Join my free Facebook Community Play and Expressive Arts Therapy Playground. Check out my free resources for mental health professionals working with children, adolescents, and families who want to integrate play therapy and expressive arts into their clinical work. I work with individuals and agencies to develop successful strategies and meet the treatment needs of your child and adolescent clients and their families using play therapy & expressive arts. Contact me to schedule a free 30-minute video call if you're ready to level up your skills

    43 min
  6. Polyvagal Theory Is Being Challenged… What Play Therapists Need to Know

    May 7

    Polyvagal Theory Is Being Challenged… What Play Therapists Need to Know

    Send us Fan Mail Is Polyvagal Theory still valid? And what does the latest scientific debate mean for your play therapy practice? Polyvagal Theory (PVT), developed by Stephen Porges, has become one of the most widely used frameworks in trauma-informed therapy. But recent critiques from neuroscientists and researchers are challenging key assumptions about the vagus nerve, autonomic nervous system hierarchy, and the evidence behind PVT. If you’re a play therapist using Polyvagal Theory — or teaching it to parents — you’ve probably felt that quiet question in the back of your mind:  “Am I explaining this accurately… or just repeating what I was taught?” You’re not alone. In this podcast episode, we break down the current Polyvagal Theory debate in a way that actually makes sense — without requiring a neuroscience degree or a second cup of coffee just to survive it. Because here’s the truth: Even when theories are debated, your clinical work still needs to be grounded, ethical, and effective. 🎯 In this week's episode, you’ll learn: ✔️ A clear, simplified explanation of Polyvagal Theory  ✔️ The main scientific critiques of PVT (what’s being questioned—and why)  ✔️ What parts of Polyvagal Theory still hold clinical value  ✔️ How to responsibly use nervous system concepts in play therapy  ✔️ How to explain regulation and safety to children and parents with confidence 💡 Whether you’re feeling confused, curious, or slightly betrayed by your favorite theory (yeah… we went there), this episode will help you separate what’s useful from what’s uncertain — so you can keep showing up as a grounded, confident play therapist. 👇 Tell me in the comments:  Are you using Polyvagal Theory in your play therapy sessions? What questions has this debate brought up for you? Here are some resources if you’d like to explore the issues in more depth: Grossman, P., et. al. (2026). Why Polyvagal Theory is untenable. Clinical Neuropsychiatry, 23,(1), 100-112.  doi: 10.36131/cnfioritieditore20260111 Porges, W. S. (2026). when a critique becomes untenable: a scholarly response to Grossman et al.’s evaluation of Polyvagal Theory. Clinical Neuropsychiatry, 23(1), 113-128.  doi.org/10.36131/cnfioritieditore20260111 Ana Lund Substack articles are an interesting read from a clinician’s perspective Scientists vs. The Polyvagal Industrial Complex is Autonomic Nervous System Literacy for Therapists: The LowdownDr. Birthe Macdonald has also written and shared some interesting articles on Substack (my new nerdy place to get some neuroscience scoop from the scientific community) Join my free Facebook Community Play and Expressive Arts Therapy Playground. Check out my free resources for mental health professionals working with children, adolescents, and families who want to integrate play therapy and expressive arts into their clinical work. I work with individuals and agencies to develop successful strategies and meet the treatment needs of your child and adolescent clients and their families using play therapy & expressive arts. Contact me to schedule a free 30-minute video call if you're ready to level up your skills

    40 min
  7. Sand Tray Therapy: Should You Interpret a Child’s Play? (3 Things to Consider)

    Apr 30

    Sand Tray Therapy: Should You Interpret a Child’s Play? (3 Things to Consider)

    Send us Fan Mail You just know what your client’s sand tray means… but should you say it? In this episode, we dive into one of the biggest clinical dilemmas in play therapy:  👉 Do you share your interpretation of a child’s sand tray scene—or hold it? If you’ve ever felt that pull—the moment where everything clicks and you want to connect the dots for your client—this conversation is for you. Because here’s the truth:  What you say (and when you say it)… can either deepen the healing—or shut it down. In this free podcast episode, you’ll learn how to hold the sand tray process in a way that protects the therapeutic space while strengthening your clinical decision-making. 🎯 In this episode, you’ll learn: • The real role of interpretation in sand tray therapy • Why timing matters more than insight • 3 key factors to consider before sharing what you see • How to avoid disrupting the child’s internal healing process • What to do when you’re tempted to say something 🧠 This is for play therapists who:  • Second-guess what to say in play therapy sessions  • Feel unsure about interpreting sand tray scenes  • Want to move beyond “just observing” into intentional, theory-driven work using play therapy  • Are ready to trust their clinical judgment with more confidence ✨ Whether you’re new to sand tray therapy or refining your skills, this episode will help you stay grounded, intentional, and aligned with the healing process—without rushing to interpret. 🔔 Subscribe for more play therapy trainings on sand tray, trauma, attachment, and working with children & teens. Join my free Facebook Community Play and Expressive Arts Therapy Playground. Check out my free resources for mental health professionals working with children, adolescents, and families who want to integrate play therapy and expressive arts into their clinical work. I work with individuals and agencies to develop successful strategies and meet the treatment needs of your child and adolescent clients and their families using play therapy & expressive arts. Contact me to schedule a free 30-minute video call if you're ready to level up your skills

    40 min
  8. Virtual Play Therapy Explained: Tools, Tips & Platforms for Play Therapists

    Apr 23

    Virtual Play Therapy Explained: Tools, Tips & Platforms for Play Therapists

    Send us Fan Mail Virtual play therapy isn’t the future anymore… it’s already here. But let’s be real for a second— Most platforms weren’t built for play therapists. They weren’t designed to engage children using play therapeutically.  For expressive play.  For the kind of symbolic, relational work you do every single day. So what happens when a platform is built with play therapists in mind? That’s exactly what we’re diving into in this special podcast episode with Brendan Herjavec, Chief Innovation Officer at PlaySpace. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking… → How do I actually DO play therapy virtually?  → How do I stay engaging and effective through a screen?  → Is there a better way than trying to make traditional telehealth platforms “work”? …this conversation is for you. Because here’s the truth:  Virtual play therapy isn’t going away. And when done well—it can be powerful, connected, and deeply therapeutic. ✨ In this episode, we’ll explore:  ✓ What PlaySpace is and how it was designed specifically for play therapists  ✓ How a virtual play therapy platform can support symbolic play, creativity, and engagement  ✓ The biggest challenges play therapists face when working virtually—and how to overcome them  ✓ How to maintain connection, attunement, and safety in an online playroom  ✓ Why using the right tools can change how effective your sessions feel We’re not just talking about “making do” with virtual therapy. We’re talking about creating a playroom… just in a different dimension. 🎯 Whether you’re already doing virtual play therapy—or still unsure how it could even work—  this episode will give you a new lens (and maybe a little hope) for what’s possible. Because the question isn’t if play therapy can happen online. It’s how to do it in a way that actually works. Connect with Brendan Herjave on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/brendanherjavec Join my free Facebook Community Play and Expressive Arts Therapy Playground. Check out my free resources for mental health professionals working with children, adolescents, and families who want to integrate play therapy and expressive arts into their clinical work. I work with individuals and agencies to develop successful strategies and meet the treatment needs of your child and adolescent clients and their families using play therapy & expressive arts. Contact me to schedule a free 30-minute video call if you're ready to level up your skills

    36 min
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Ratings & Reviews

3.7
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Join me on Next Level Play Therapy, a podcast for child and adolescent therapists seeking to elevate your play therapy services. Hosted by Cathi Spooner, LCSW, RPT-S, at Renewing Hearts Play Therapy Training.   Each episode delves into the nuances of play therapy, exploring innovative techniques, evidence-based practices, and practical strategies for providing exceptional therapeutic experiences. These engaging discussions cover a wide range of topics, including building rapport with children, how to make sure you get great outcomes for clients, therapeutic toys and tools and strategies to use in sessions, addressing trauma and attachment issues, engaging parents, promoting emotional regulation, and nurturing resilience for children and their families. Whether you're an experienced therapist looking to refine your skills or a novice clinician venturing into the world of play therapy, the Next Level Play Therapy podcast equips you with the knowledge and insights to enhance your play therapy practice. With interviews featuring experts in play therapy, exploration of best practices, discussion of game-changing principles and strategies, this podcast equips you with the tools to unlock the amazing power of play therapy to transform the lives of children, adolescents, and families. Tune in to Next Level Play Therapy and take a journey towards becoming an exceptional play therapist as we navigate the next level strategies that lead to profound healing and growth for children and their families.

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