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. Jul 16

    More Years of Experience Won't Fix What's Actually Making You Doubt Yourself as a Play Therapist

    Send us Fan Mail I want to talk about something that a lot of play therapists are silently betting their entire career on — the idea that *more time and more experience* is what's going to eventually make them feel confident and capable in the play therapy room. That one day they'll hit some magic number of years and the self-doubt will just... disappear.  The second-guessing will stop.  The anxiety before parent calls will go away.  They'll finally feel like they know what they're doing. And I want to lovingly, respectfully push back on that — because I think that belief is keeping a lot of really talented play therapists stuck for longer than they need to be. During this week’s podcast episode, I want to talk about what we silently say in our minds and don’t dare talk about it for fear of judgment and rejection. This week I want to talk about what are the beliefs and behaviors feeding the self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and second-guessing clinical decisions keeping amazing play therapists from achieving confidence. If you’ve secretly thought experience is the only reason you’re lacking confidence as a play therapist, then you don’t want to miss this episode. 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

    More Years of Experience Won't Fix What's Actually Making You Doubt Yourself as a Play Therapist

  2. Jul 9

    5 Signs You’re a Play Therapist Struggling with Clinical Isolation

    Send us Fan Mail Do you find yourself replaying play therapy sessions on your drive home, wondering if you made the right clinical decision? You aren't alone. In this free weekly podcast episode, we’re diving into the 5 signs you’re second-guessing yourself as a play therapist and why clinical isolation might be your biggest hurdle.  Being the only play therapist in your building can be incredibly lonely.  When you don't have a peer group who speaks the language of sand trays and metaphors, it’s easy for "reflective thinking" to turn into an "anxious loop." Today, we walk through the clinical signs of self-doubt and how to shift from isolation to confidence. What You’ll Learn: Sign 1: The difference between healthy reflection and the "anxious loop."Sign 2: Why you dread parent phone calls (it’s not why you think!).Sign 3: Why Google isn't a substitute for a play therapy community.Sign 4: Addressing the "Am I actually helping?" doubt.Sign 5: The "Blank Phone List" – identifying your clinical support system.How to move from isolation to clinical confidence. Join the Podcast (or watch the replay) If you’re tired of carrying the full clinical burden alone, it’s time to find your people. ✨ Join the Play Therapy Elevation CIRCLE Waitlist here: https://www.rhplaytherapytraining.com/f/ptec-waitlist Connect with Cathi Spooner - Renewing Hearts Training: www.rhplaytherapytraining.com #PlayTherapy #ChildTherapy #TherapistSelfCare #ClinicalSupervision #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

    5 Signs You’re a Play Therapist Struggling with Clinical Isolation

  3. Jul 2

    Why Play Therapists Shouldn't Work Alone: Overcoming Clinical Isolation

    Send us Fan Mail Are you the only play therapist in your agency? Or perhaps you're in private practice and feel like you're navigating complex cases entirely on your own? Many play therapists accept isolation as "just the reality" of the field.  We push through, hoping that with enough time and experience, we’ll eventually "figure it out."  But here is the honest truth: Clinical isolation is a liability—for you and your clients. In this free weekly podcast, we’re breaking down why the "solo endeavor" mindset is holding you back and how connecting with a play therapy community is the key to better clinical results and reduced burnout. In this episode, we discuss: The Structure of Isolation: Why graduate programs and agencies often leave play therapists without the specific support they need.The Clinical Cost: How second-guessing your decisions and processing complex issues, like trauma, in a vacuum slows down client progress.The Mindset Shift: Moving from "I can handle this" to "I need a community that speaks play therapy."Clinical Confidence: How having a "backup plan" and a peer network improves the quality of your work in the playroom. Stop second-guessing your clinical decisions and start building the support network you deserve. Your clients (and your personal life) will thank you. Connect with Cathi & Renewing Hearts Training: www.rhplaytherapytraining.com #PlayTherapy #ChildTherapy #PlayTherapistSupport #ClinicalIsolation #TherapistBurnout #RenewingHeartsTraining 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

    Why Play Therapists Shouldn't Work Alone: Overcoming Clinical Isolation

  4. Jun 25

    The Isolated Play Therapist Syndrome: Why You’re Feeling Burned Out

    Send us Fan Mail If you're a play therapist — especially in your first few years — and you're the only one in your agency or you're in private practice figuring this out by yourself, this is for you. You went into this work because you genuinely believe in the power of play therapy to heal kids. You're passionate about this.  You're not here because it was easy — you're here because it matters to you And the reality is that you’re probably the only “kid therapist” in your agency or maybe you’re in private practice in an office surrounded by adult therapists asking you to keep the noise down in your office because it’s distracting their sessions. In today’s free podcast episode we’re talking about what’s not being talked about out loud 👇 the cost of trying to be a play therapist without a strong community to support you and the impact this has on your clinical decision-making (and if we’re being honest - your own emotional well-being). We’re discussing The Isolated Play Therapist Syndrome. What it is and why it’s keeping your clients from making progress and leaving you feeling overwhelmed, second-guessing your clinical decisions, and wondering if you’re good enough. If you’re feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and frustrated as a play therapist, then you don’t want to miss this episode.   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

    The Isolated Play Therapist Syndrome: Why You’re Feeling Burned Out

  5. Jun 18

    Jungian Play Therapy 101: Symbols, Archetypes & Clinical Ideas

    Send us Fan Mail What is Jungian Analytic Play Therapy, and how does it actually work in the playroom?  In this podcast, we dive deep into the symbolic world of Jungian theory with guest Jared Andes, LCSW, RPT-S.  We explore how Jungian Analytical Play Therapy uses archetypes and other concepts to facilitate healing, and we compare this model to other popular play therapy approaches. Join us for an insightful conversation as we explore the transformative power of Jungian Play Therapy!  Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or new to this model, this episode will provide you with practical ideas. In this free weekly podcast episode, we’ll cover: What is Jungian Play Therapy? An introduction to the core concepts.Practical Ideas for the Playroom: Symbolic play and therapeutic techniques you can use.Comparative Analysis: How Jungian Play Therapy differs from—and where it aligns with—other popular models.Live Q&A: Get your questions answered by Jared!Connect with Jared Andes: Website: www.fullspectrumcounseling.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584175263892 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jared_andes_therapy 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

    Jungian Play Therapy 101: Symbols, Archetypes & Clinical Ideas

  6. Jun 11

    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

    The Trauma Roadmap: Using Neuroscience & Attachment in Play Therapy

  7. 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

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

  8. 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

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