Next Level Play Therapy: A Podcast for Play Therapy Excellence

Cathi Spooner, LCSW, RPT-S
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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. How to Get Better Results in Play Therapy Without Doing More

    4D AGO

    How to Get Better Results in Play Therapy Without Doing More

    Send us a text What if better results in play therapy didn’t come from more play therapy activities, more games, or more play therapy training — but from clearer thinking? In this week’s free livestream episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the real secret sauce: case conceptualization. Because if you don’t know what’s driving the behavior, how do you decide what to do in play therapy sessions without guessing? 👀 We’ll talk about why your play therapy model actually matters (yep—models aren’t just theory flexes), and how using a play therapy model helps you intentionally access the therapeutic powers of play instead of hoping something sticks. We’re also naming a hard truth: Going to play therapy training after training without follow-up or application? That’s how overwhelm happens. Integration is where confidence is built. Application is where deep change lives. And finally—we get real about something most play therapists feel but don’t always say out loud:  👉 You’re not meant to do this work alone. The therapeutic relationship with clients is central—but so is having a play therapy community for support, resources, idea-sharing, and strategic help using your play therapy model in real cases (not just in theory). If you’ve ever left a play therapy session thinking, “Was that enough?”  Or wondered, “Am I actually helping?” Join me for this free weekly podcast and let’s make play therapy feel grounded again. This week’s episode is for you so you can focus on 👇 Less doing. More clarity. Better results. ✨ 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
  2. How Does Consultation Improve Play Therapist Growth?

    JAN 22

    How Does Consultation Improve Play Therapist Growth?

    Send us a text If you’re a mental health professional, including play therapy, we’ve all heard this said and probably even said it ourselves: consultation is a clinical and ethical part of providing effective play therapy (and therapy in general). Truthfully – I have mixed feelings about this statement. From a clinical and ethical standpoint, consultation is an important part of providing quality mental health services to our clients, including play therapy. I’m a firm believer in getting support to help me ensure my clients are getting the best counseling experience possible, especially when I’m stuck. So, why the mixed feelings?  I’m glad you asked.   I think sometimes consultation can be poor quality, one more task to an already full schedule, and/or provided in a punitive way that results in play therapists feeling unsupported and burned out. Thinking about this topic got me wondering what the research says about the benefits of consultation for play therapists, and what makes consultation effective. That got me exploring the internet to see what I could find. I found some interesting research articles discussing not only the benefits of consultation for mental health professionals (no-brainer there), and what makes consultation effective. If you’re curious about how play therapy consultation can be beneficial and not just another box to check for your already busy schedule, join me for this free weekly podcast episode! I’ll discuss what the research says about making consultation effective based on two studies and why it’s so important to have these elements. I’ll share my insights for play therapists and how we can use this information to help our young clients and their families heal. Join me and the conversation!   Citations for articles discussed during this episode: Beidas, R. S., Edmunds, J. M., Cannuscia, C. C., Gallagher, M., Downey, M. M., and Kendall, P. C. (2013). Therapists’ perspectives on the effective elements of consultation following training. Admin Policy Mental Health, 40(6), 507-517. Doi.10.1007?s10488-013-0475-7 Mui, A. S., Joseph, A., Hakim, E., Cox, E. D., and Greenwald, E. (2022). Peer consultation: An enriching necessity rather than a luxury for psychologists during and beyond the pandemic. Journal of Health Service Psychology, 48, 13-19. doi.10.1007/s42843-021-0005-3 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

    35 min
  3. If Being a Play Therapist Feels Lonely, This Is for You

    JAN 15

    If Being a Play Therapist Feels Lonely, This Is for You

    Send us a text A New Year Is a Chance to Stop Doing Play Therapy Alone. A new year begins…  and for many play therapists, your caseloads are already full. Same questions about what you should be doing in play therapy sessions to “get it right.” Same feeling of wishing there was someone who truly understood your play therapy work so you could share ideas and support. If you ended last year feeling tired, isolated, or second-guessing yourself, this week’s free livestream is for you. January isn’t about fixing yourself. It’s about deciding what kind of support you want moving forward. If you’ve ever wished you had: a place to staff play therapy cases without judgment colleagues who speak the language of play therapy support that helps you stay grounded rather than overwhelmed You’re not alone — and you don’t have to keep carrying this work by yourself. In this week’s free livestream, we’ll talk honestly about: why isolation is so common for play therapists how community supports confidence and sustainability what it looks like to practice play therapy with ongoing support Play therapists are relational by nature. Our work is strongest when we’re supported, connected, and not doing it all alone. Come start the year supported. We’ll save you a seat. 💛 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

    37 min
  4. How to Use AutPlay Therapy with Neurodivergent Kids

    JAN 8

    How to Use AutPlay Therapy with Neurodivergent Kids

    Send us a text Helping Neurodivergent Kids Thrive in the Playroom: A Conversation with Dr. Robert Jason Grant Every month inside Play Therapy Academy and the Play Therapy Elevation CIRCLE, I hear the same heart-wide-open question: “What’s the best way to support neurodivergent kids in play therapy so they can truly thrive?” And honestly? Same.  It’s a big, beautiful question — and the kind of question that deserves wisdom from someone who’s both deeply trained and living the neurodivergent experience from the inside out. So this week… we’re doing something special. Like – holiday-season-surprise special 🤩 ✨ I’m bringing on Dr. Robert Jason Grant — the creator of AutPlay® Therapy — for a live conversation you do not want to miss. Dr. Grant is the real deal: a therapist, supervisor, consultant, and brilliant guide who blends his lived neurodivergent experience with years of specialized training to help children and families access support that’s affirming, grounded, and actually effective. Together, we’re diving into: 🔹 What exactly is AutPlay? A friendly, no-jargon intro to the model every play therapist should know. 🔹 How does AutPlay help neurodivergent kids heal + grow? We’ll talk nervous system support, therapeutic play processes, and why “affirming” isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a necessity. 🔹 How do you include parents in a way that actually works? Because when parents feel seen, supported, and equipped, everything in the playroom shifts. If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to adapt your play therapy work for kids with neurodivergence — or you just want to expand your toolbox with a play therapy model rooted in compassion and neuroscience — pull up a chair.  This one’s for you. Come hang out with us live — bring your coffee, your curiosity, and that one question you’ve been low-key nervous to ask. This convo is going to make your play therapy heart do a happy little wiggle. 💛 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

    41 min
  5. What is Case Conceptualization in Play Therapy?

    JAN 1

    What is Case Conceptualization in Play Therapy?

    Send us a text 🎁 Pulled from the Vault: An Oldie but Goodie I’m officially taking a break this holiday season — slowing down, soaking up family time, and sipping something warm by the tree. ✨ But I didn’t want to leave you hanging! So I dug into the vault and pulled out one of the most-loved livestream episodes I’ve ever done. And honestly? It’s still 🔥 relevant today. Over the last 15+ years of supervising and training play therapists, I’ve noticed one big mistake that keeps showing up again and again… ❌ It’s the reason play therapists start feeling lost in the treatment process — unsure what to do next.  ❌ It’s why interventions sometimes feel like they’re just not landing. Here’s the kicker 👇🏼  The biggest mistake I see play therapists making is not taking the time early on to gather the right information for case conceptualization. Sounds academic, right? (Cue the grad school flashbacks 😅)  But this one skill is what separates chaotic sessions from clinically confident ones. In this throwback episode, you’ll learn:  ✨ What case conceptualization really means for play therapists (in down-to-earth language).  ✨ The goals behind it — and how it keeps you grounded when sessions feel unclear.  ✨ Why it’s the secret to consistent, meaningful treatment outcomes. So while I’m resting and recharging, you can hit play and get re-inspired. Because this episode? It’s the one that changes how you see your entire play therapy process. 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

    35 min
  6. What Are Best Practices in Play Therapy for Clinical Decision-Making?

    12/25/2025

    What Are Best Practices in Play Therapy for Clinical Decision-Making?

    Send us a text Happy holidays!!  I’ve decided to take two weeks off to spend the holiday season focusing on my family. So – I went back into my livestream vault and found this oldie but goodie! Check out this podcast discussing some interesting information I gleaned from research and what it means for play therapists. How does being trained to use a specific play therapy model influence clinical decision-making vs clinical decision-making of child/adolescent therapists using play in therapy? Hmmmmm.  What the heck does that question even mean? Essentially clinical decision-making involves our expertise and training in a play therapy model and how play therapists engage in the decision-making process to get excellent treatment results for their clients. Is the clinical decision-making skill level of play therapists who are trained to use specific play therapy models better than child/adolescent therapists not trained who are using play in sessions? A study by Baker-Ericzen, Jenkins, Park, and Garland (2015) explored the quality of clinical decision-making for child/adolescent therapists who were trained in an evidence-based treatment model (EBT) versus therapists who were not. This study- Clinical Decision-Making in Community Children’s Mental Health: Using Innovative Methods to Compare Clinicians With and Without Training in Evidence-Based Treatment 👇🏼 Had some interesting results. I’ll discuss the findings of their study and how it relates to play therapy.   There are several play therapy models considered to be EBT models, so this study provides some interesting points for child and adolescent therapists to consider when working with children using play. Join me for this free podcast! 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

    37 min
  7. Music Therapy for Healing Trauma & Grief in Play Therapy

    12/18/2025

    Music Therapy for Healing Trauma & Grief in Play Therapy

    Send us a text 🎶 This Week’s Podcast: How Music Helps Kids Heal — A Heartfelt Conversation with Crystal Luk-Worrall If you’ve ever watched a child hum softly during play… tap a rhythm while they’re telling a story… or light up when you mirror the beat they’re creating… …you already know music has its own kind of magic in the playroom. This week, we’re going deeper into that magic with a guest whose work is as grounded as it is breathtaking — Crystal Luk-Worrall, a London-based music therapist and service manager who supports adoptive and bereaved families with a trauma-informed, attachment-centered approach. Crystal is the founder of Clap and Toot (yes, cutest name ever), where she uses musical connection to rebuild safety, trust, and emotional expression. She also works with bereaved families through Shooting Star Children’s Hospice — walking with children and parents through some of the most tender moments imaginable. And she’s bringing her wisdom straight into our play therapy community.  You’re not gonna want to miss this one. Here’s what we’ll explore together: 🎵 What Is Music Therapy Really About? Crystal will demystify what music therapy actually is — how it works, why it works, and what makes it such a powerful therapeutic language for children. 🎵 How Music Supports Trauma, Bereavement, and Adoption Journeys Crystal will share stories and insights from her work with adoptive and bereaved families — showing how rhythm, sound, and attuned presence help kids process what words can’t reach. Expect goosebumps. The good kind. 🎵 Simple Ways to Integrate Music into Play Therapy We’ll wrap things up by connecting the dots with the Therapeutic Powers of Play. Plus — we’ll share easy, low-pressure ways to bring music into your play therapy sessions (no musical talent required, promise). 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

    45 min
  8. Basic Skills Using Sand Tray Effectively in Play Therapy

    12/11/2025

    Basic Skills Using Sand Tray Effectively in Play Therapy

    Send us a text If you’ve ever wondered how to set up a sand tray during play therapy sessions in a way that feels intentional, grounded, and supportive of your client’s nervous system, this episode is your new BFF. We’re diving into the essentials — starting with how to introduce the sand tray using child-centered, non-directive prompts and when to lean into thoughtful directive prompts that still honor the client’s process. Then we’ll get real about boundaries (aka the invisible safety net of every play therapy session).  You’ll hear the simple sand tray rules I use with kids that protect the relationship, keep the playroom regulated, and prevent chaos like nerf-gun warfare or miniature avalanches. We’ll also look at how to organize your miniatures so the unconscious can actually grab what it needs — from category-based shelving to keeping everything clean, visible, and intentional. And of course, we’ll dig into choosing your sand and trays — from why high-quality sand matters for sensory regulation to how the shape and size of your tray changes the experience for your client. Whether you’re setting up your first sand tray or refreshing your current setup, this episode gives you the practical foundations that help clients go deeper, feel safer, and engage more meaningfully in the sand. 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
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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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