Play Therapy Parenting Podcast

Dr. Brenna Hicks
  • 4.8 (52)
  • PARENTING
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The path to calm, confident, and in-control parenting starts now. The Play Therapy Parenting Podcast is hosted by Dr. Brenna Hicks, The Kid Counselor®. All content, no fluff.

  1. 3D AGO

    S3E27 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Understanding Power Struggles in Child-Centered Play Therapy

    In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I focus on power and control — one of the most common reasons children enter child-centered play therapy. I explain why kids who constantly push, demand, and fight for control are not being manipulative or defiant, but are responding to a deep sense of powerlessness in their lives. Children have very little control over their daily world, and when circumstances feel overwhelming or unpredictable, they grab control wherever they can. I walk through how power and control struggles show up in the playroom and how CCPT allows children to safely work through this need. In play, children often swing from having no power to taking all the power, before eventually settling into a balanced middle ground. Through choice, trust, and a neutral therapeutic relationship, children learn they don't need to dominate or resist to feel secure. This episode helps parents understand why power struggles happen and how play therapy helps children naturally move toward balance and regulation. Ask Me Questions:  Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com My Book: Device Detox: A Parent's Guide To Reducing Usage, Preventing Tantrums, And Raising Happier Kids - https://a.co/d/bThnKH9 Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/ 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.

    17 min

  2. JAN 15

    S3E26 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Understanding Anxiety in Child-Centered Play Therapy

    In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I focus on anxiety — one of the most common reasons parents seek child-centered play therapy for their children. I explain how anxiety usually isn't something that suddenly appears, but instead reflects an underlying predisposition that has been present for a long time. Often, a single event brings that anxiety to the surface, and from there, children begin fearing the fear itself. As anxiety increases, so does a child's need for control, which is why anxiety and power struggles so often show up together. I walk through what anxiety looks like inside the playroom, including resistance, hesitation, and the slow pace anxious children need in order to feel safe. I explain how fear-facing play, repetition, and desensitization help children rebuild trust in themselves. Over time, as anxiety decreases, we also see a decrease in control behaviors, alongside increases in self-esteem and emotional vocabulary. This episode helps parents understand what anxiety really is, how CCPT addresses it, and how growth in therapy leads to lasting change beyond the playroom. Ask Me Questions:  Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com My Book: Device Detox: A Parent's Guide To Reducing Usage, Preventing Tantrums, And Raising Happier Kids - https://a.co/d/bThnKH9 Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/ 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.

    17 min

  3. JAN 7

    S3E25 - "That's Mine!" Understanding Possessive Behavior in Kids

    In this episode, I answer a question from Melissa about children who are possessive of their things and struggle with sharing. I explain why phrases like "that's mine" are often tied to power and control, and why this behavior is also developmentally appropriate, especially for younger children. Kids only have control over a few areas of their lives, so when they feel powerless, they grab control wherever they can — including toys and people. Understanding this helps parents respond without frustration or shame. I walk through how to use reflection of feeling, choice giving, and clear limits to support sharing in a child-centered way. Instead of forcing compliance, these tools return a sense of control to the child while still teaching turn-taking, empathy, and waiting. This episode helps parents see possessiveness not as a character flaw, but as a normal developmental response that can be guided calmly and effectively. Ask Me Questions:  Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com My Book: Device Detox: A Parent's Guide To Reducing Usage, Preventing Tantrums, And Raising Happier Kids - https://a.co/d/bThnKH9 Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/ 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.

    9 min

  4. JAN 5

    S3E24 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Layers of an Onion-How Children Work Through Issues in Play Therapy

    In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I explain the idea of layers of an onion and how it helps parents understand what's really happening as children work through challenges in child-centered play therapy. Each issue a child brings — anxiety, control, regulation, self-esteem, fear — is its own layer, but none of them exist in isolation. They are all connected and influence each other as part of the child's overall growth. I walk through how these layers develop and shift together over time, alongside the four universal outcomes of play therapy. When a child works on one area, it naturally impacts others. This episode builds on the waffles and spaghetti concept and helps parents understand why play therapy leads to broad, meaningful change rather than isolated fixes — and why children don't work through issues one at a time, even if it looks that way from the outside. Ask Me Questions:  Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com My Book: Device Detox: A Parent's Guide To Reducing Usage, Preventing Tantrums, And Raising Happier Kids - https://a.co/d/bThnKH9 Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/ 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.

    9 min

  5. 12/30/2025

    S3E23 - How to Respond When Children Are Put in the Middle of a Divorce and Conflicting Messages

    In this episode, I answer a question from a mom navigating a difficult co-parenting situation during divorce. Her young children are repeating things they've been told at the other parent's house — including statements that aren't true and comments that put them in the middle of adult conflict. I explain why shielding children from divorce details is not only appropriate, but essential for their emotional safety, and why kids should never feel responsible for adult problems. I walk through child-centered ways to respond when children repeat things they shouldn't know or accuse a parent of lying. I explain how to reflect feelings when emotions are present, how to respond neutrally when they're not, how to return responsibility back to adults, and how calm, consistent truth builds trust over time. This episode helps parents protect the parent-child relationship, support their child's emotional safety, and stay grounded when kids are caught between conflicting messages. Ask Me Questions:  Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com My Book: Device Detox: A Parent's Guide To Reducing Usage, Preventing Tantrums, And Raising Happier Kids - https://a.co/d/bThnKH9 Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/ 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.

    13 min

  6. 12/24/2025

    S3E22 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Why Kids' Brains Work Differently in Therapy

    In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I explain how a child's brain works differently from an adult's brain in therapy — and why that difference matters so much. Many parents assume therapy is therapy, but children don't process experiences through logic, language, or abstract thinking the way adults do. I compare adult brains to waffles and children's brains to cooked spaghetti to show how adults can compartmentalize issues, while children experience everything as connected and happening all at once. I walk through why verbal prompts and talk-based therapy work for adults but fail for young children, and how child-centered play therapy matches the way kids actually process experiences. When a child works on one issue in play, it naturally pulls other issues along with it — building momentum and growth across multiple areas at the same time. This episode helps parents understand why CCPT works with children and why play, not talking, is the most effective way for kids to heal and grow. Ask Me Questions:  Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com My Book: Device Detox: A Parent's Guide To Reducing Usage, Preventing Tantrums, And Raising Happier Kids - https://a.co/d/bThnKH9 Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/ 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.

    10 min

  7. 12/19/2025

    S3E21 - Helping Kids Speak Up in Co-Parenting Situations

    In this episode, I answer a question from Deborah about co-parenting, shared custody, and how to support a 12-year-old who doesn't want to go back and forth between homes. I explain why, even at this age, kids are still not comfortable using words to handle emotionally charged situations, especially when feelings are involved. Expecting a child to clearly and calmly advocate for themselves in a tense relational situation often reflects adulthood bias, not developmental reality. I walk through why it still matters for the child's voice to be heard, but how parents can support that in developmentally appropriate ways. Instead of forcing a single approach, I explain how offering choices around how a child communicates gives them ownership, buy-in, and a sense of control. I also talk about why adults often focus too much on a child's words instead of the message underneath, and how shifting that focus can change the outcome of difficult conversations. Ask Me Questions:  Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com My Book: Device Detox: A Parent's Guide To Reducing Usage, Preventing Tantrums, And Raising Happier Kids - https://a.co/d/bThnKH9 Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/ 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.

    12 min

  8. 12/17/2025

    S3E20 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Self-Fulfilling Prophecy (How Child-Centered Play Therapy Changes the Story)

    In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I explain the concept of self-fulfilling prophecy and how it shapes a child's behavior, identity, and sense of self. Children often become what the people in their lives expect them to be — not because those expectations are spoken directly, but because they're communicated through tone, reactions, labels, and assumptions. I talk about how easily children become branded as "the bad kid," "the quiet kid," or "the problem kid," and how those expectations quietly limit who they believe they can become. I also explain why child-centered play therapy works so differently. In the playroom, children are not defined by past behavior or labels. They are seen as capable, growing, and becoming. When a child experiences unconditional acceptance paired with belief in their capacity to change, that message becomes powerful. This episode helps parents understand how expectations influence behavior — and how shifting those expectations can change the entire trajectory of a child's growth. Ask Me Questions:  Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com My Book: Device Detox: A Parent's Guide To Reducing Usage, Preventing Tantrums, And Raising Happier Kids - https://a.co/d/bThnKH9 Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/ 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.

    12 min
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4.8
out of 5
52 Ratings

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The path to calm, confident, and in-control parenting starts now. The Play Therapy Parenting Podcast is hosted by Dr. Brenna Hicks, The Kid Counselor®. All content, no fluff.

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