The Play Therapy Circle

Kylie Ellison
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  • Mental Health
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Hosted by therapist and trainer Kylie Ellison, this podcast explores the heart of Child-Centred Play Therapy and the healing power of play. Each episode offers thoughtful reflections and practical insights for play therapists, students, and caregivers supporting children’s emotional wellbeing. ✨ Join the community: https://mailchi.mp/playtherapycircle.com/play-therapy-circle ✨ Podcast subscriptions: https://kylieellison.com.au/ptcsub

  1. 6d ago

    Episode 45- Remembering Dr Garry Landreth

    This week's episode is one we didn't plan to record, but one that felt necessary. On the day our community learned of the passing of Dr. Garry Landreth, Kylie sat down to record this special tribute episode in honour of one of the most influential figures in child-centred play therapy history. Dr. Landreth's contributions to the field are immeasurable. As a Regents Professor at the University of North Texas, he founded the Center for Play Therapy in 1988, growing it into the largest play therapy training and research program in the world. He authored Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship, now in its fourth edition and the most widely used play therapy textbook globally, and produced over 150 publications across journals, books, and training videos. He co-developed Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) with Sue Bratton, was a founding board member of the Association for Play Therapy and received APT's Lifetime Achievement Award among countless other honours. But beyond the accolades, Dr. Landreth gave child-centred play therapy its name, its identity, and its structure. Building on the lineage of Carl Rogers, Virginia Axline, and the Gurneys, he codified CCPT for training, defended its integrity against more directive approaches, and passionately championed the idea that CCPT is not simply a set of techniques, it is a way of being with a child. In this heartfelt episode, Kylie reflects on how Dr. Landreth's writings shaped her own journey as a play therapist, clinical supervisor, and trainer. From first encountering The Art of the Relationship during her training in 2015, to leaning on it as a lifeline in her early years of practice, to building her training program and this very podcast on the foundations he laid, his influence is woven through everything the Play Therapy Circle community stands for. Kylie also invites our global community to reflect on and share how Dr. Landreth touched their own professional lives, because his reach truly is everywhere. All roads in child-centred play therapy lead back to Garry Landreth. This episode is our community's small way of saying thank you. "Toys are children's words and play is their language." Dr. Garry Landreth

    13 min

  2. Jun 4

    Episode 44- Am I Making a Difference? When the World Outside the Playroom Is Out of Our Hands

    Have you ever finished a session and wondered, did any of that even matter? You've shown up, you've held the space, you've given everything you have and then that child walks back out into a world you can't control. A chaotic home. An unstable system. A family in crisis. And you're left sitting with the quiet, heavy question of whether what happens inside the playroom can possibly be enough. In this episode, Kylie gets honest about one of the most persistent questions she hears from supervisees and sits with it herself. Because here's the thing. This question doesn't go away with experience. Whether you're one month into your play therapy journey or eleven and a half years in like Kylie, the wondering doesn't stop. And she wants you to know that's not a sign something is wrong with you. It's a sign that you care. Kylie draws on Emmy Werner's landmark forty-year longitudinal study on resilience, which found that the single strongest predictor for children growing up in adversity was the presence of at least one consistent, caring, attuned adult in their life. Not necessarily a parent. Just one person who showed up and saw the child as worth showing up for. In systems where caseworkers change and placements shift, we may be that person. And that is not a small thing. She also explores the neuroscience behind what happens in a child's brain during attuned, regulated sessions in the playroom. Neuroplasticity research tells us that repetition of safe, connected experiences can literally reshape neural pathways. The calm we offer doesn't just stay in the room. It becomes a reference point. The brain holds what happened. That's not a metaphor. It's biology. And then there's the long timeline. Research shows that the impact of therapy with children often shows its strongest effects not during treatment, but years after it ends. The outcome you can't see at the end of a course of treatment is not evidence that there is no outcome. It's just the timing. This episode is a gentle but firm reminder to trust yourself, trust the process, and trust the child. If you offered congruence, empathy, and unconditional positive regard, the work was done. The outcomes belong to the child. The work belongs to you. If you've ever sat with that quiet doubt, this episode is for you. The seeds were always real, even when you don't get to see them grow. Follow us on Instagram @playtherapycirclepodcast and join our FREE community HERE

    46 min

  3. May 28

    Episode 43- Back to Basics PLUS Listener Question Answered

    Back to Basics: Tracking Plus Your Questions | EP43 This episode marks something new. Listener questions, answered on the show. And the question that came in was so good, it deserved real time and real depth. But first: a back-to-basics teaching segment on tracking — one of the very first skills we learn in Child-Centred Play Therapy, and one of the most quietly powerful. What it sounds like, why it matters, and the common mistakes that are easy to make without realising. Tracking is the skill of verbally following and reflecting a child's play and behaviour without leading, interpreting, or directing. It sounds simple. But done well, it communicates something profound: I am fully present with you, and what you are doing matters. It builds the relationship, honours the child's autonomy, and is unconditional positive regard in action. Kylie walks through what tracking looks like in practice, the crucial difference between tracking the action and interpreting the meaning, and the most common mistakes new practitioners make including over-tracking, labelling, and questions disguised as tracking. Then, your question: Terri from Ireland asks about children who people-please, control, or go silent in the playroom directed toward the therapist. Through the lens of Lipton's developmental theory, Kylie explores these behaviours as relational templates formed in the earliest years and now being replayed in the playroom. Each one is an adapted survival strategy. Each one points to an unmet need. Kylie unpacks all three with practical examples of how to respond, and when to move from simple reflection into enlargement and deeper reflective responding. She also addresses Terri's instinct about timing: that going too deep too early, before trust is established, can feel intrusive or even unsafe for the child. That instinct is exactly right. The principle that ties it all together: reflection follows relationship. The depth of our responding should never outpace the depth of trust we have built. Oh, and a milestone worth celebrating. The Play Therapy Circle Podcast is now reaching listeners in 70 countries. A genuine moment of gratitude for a community that continues to grow. In this episode: What tracking is, what it sounds like, and why it mattersThe difference between tracking and interpreting, and why that distinction is crucialCommon tracking mistakes and how to avoid themPeople-pleasing, controlling, and silence as relational templates and unmet needsPractical examples of reflective responding and enlargement for each behaviourWhy timing matters: when enlargement helps and when it can harmReflection follows relationship: the principle that guides it allA celebration of 70 countries and the global Play Therapy Circle communityHave a question you'd love answered on the show? Send it in via hello@playtherapycircle.com or find Kylie on Instagram @Playtherapycirclepodcast or @kylieellisontherapy. Join our free Community Circle - Tier One - The Community Circle

    1h 3m

  4. May 21

    FLASHBACK EPISODE - #18 The Pandemic Ripple Effect

    Revisited: The Pandemic Ripple Effect This week, we're reaching back into The Play Therapy Circle archives to revisit a conversation that continues to resonate and perhaps now, more than ever, feels urgently relevant. The Pandemic Ripple Effect. If you are working with children aged 4–6 years old right now, whether as a play therapist, counsellor, early childhood educator, teacher, parent or carer, there is a very good chance you are noticing something. A rise in anxiety. More tears at drop-off. Children who seem younger than their age in some ways, or who struggle in social situations that might have once felt unremarkable. Big feelings that seem to arrive without warning, and separation distress that can feel confusing or even alarming to the adults around them. You are not imagining it. In this episode, Kylie explores what is increasingly being observed in clinical practice and supported by emerging research: that for many children in this age group, the earliest and most foundational years of their development unfolded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those years, the ones that shape so much of who a child becomes, looked very different for this cohort. Routines that provide safety and predictability were disrupted or disappeared entirely. Playgroups, childcare and early learning environments closed or changed. Opportunities for peer connection, social rehearsal and play-based learning were significantly reduced. And all of this happened while many families were simultaneously navigating their own experiences of stress, grief, financial pressure, uncertainty and isolation. Children are exquisitely sensitive to the emotional climate around them. They absorb far more than we realise. Now, as this cohort moves into kindergarten, prep and the early years of primary school, those early experiences are showing up, in school readiness challenges, in emotional regulation, in separation anxiety at the gate, in social confidence, in transitions, and in the volume and intensity of big feelings that can catch everyone off guard. Kylie gently and thoughtfully unpacks what we know, drawing on Australian and global data, emerging research, and her own clinical experience, to help us understand this generation not through a lens of deficit or alarm, but through one of context, compassion and genuine curiosity. This conversation is not about blame. It is not about catastrophising. It is about helping the adults in these children's lives to understand what they are seeing, to feel validated in their observations, and to know that there is a path forward. Kylie also explores how Child-Centered Play Therapy can offer children in this cohort something profoundly important: a safe, consistent, developmentally appropriate relationship and space in which to process their experiences, practise mastery and competence, build internal safety, strengthen emotional expression and experience the kind of warm, attuned co-regulation that helps a nervous system learn that the world is okay. Play therapy does not require children to have the words. It meets them exactly where they are. For parents and caregivers, this episode is an invitation to exhale. What you are experiencing with your child is real. The challenges are real. And they make sense when we understand the context in which your child's earliest years took place. With the right support, connection, understanding and time, children are remarkably resilient — and they can absolutely be helped to feel safer, more settled, more confident and more ready to engage with the world around them. For therapists and educators, this episode is a reminder of why the work you do matters so deeply right now and why meeting this cohort with patience and perspective is one of the most powerful things you can offer. Because, as always, play is the way. New to The Play Therapy Circle? Start here, and then explore Kylie's training programs at playtherapytrainingaustralia.com.au

    48 min

  5. May 14

    Episode 42- You Are Not Doing It Wrong- The COVID Generation, the Exhaustion, and Permission to Be Good Enough

    Kylie dives deep into the science behind the COVID generation - what the research is now telling us about children born between 2019 and 2022, why so many kids are struggling right now, and why that is absolutely not a reflection of your parenting. From maternal prenatal stress tripling during the pandemic, to MRI findings showing differences in brain development, to the speech delays, separation anxiety, and social-emotional gaps we're seeing play out in classrooms and therapy rooms across the country - the data is real, and so is the grace that comes with understanding it. She also unpacks why traditional behaviour strategies like sticker charts and reward systems aren't the answer for this generation of kids, and what children actually need right now: consistency, predictability, and repeated co-regulation with a calm adult over time. Not a quick fix. Not a perfect parent. You. She also takes on the myth of the Instagram parent - that curated, polished, cropped-out-the-chaos version of family life that has so many of us silently measuring ourselves against an impossible standard - and gives you full, unapologetic permission to put it down. Drawing on the work of Donald Winnicott and his concept of the good enough parent, Kylie reminds us that children don't need perfection. They need someone who gets it right most of the time, apologises when they don't, and stays in the relationship even when it's hard. That's it. That's the work. This episode is for the parents. It's for the practitioners sitting with exhausted families every day. And it's for anyone who needs to hear that the fact that you're still showing up - still trying, still caring - means you are already doing more than enough. Come as you are. You belong here. Kylie Ellison is a Counsellor and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor who has been working in CCPT for over a decade. Her vision is to see a community of play therapists supporting and encouraging each other. Join the circle for FREE - Community Circle - Circle Subscriptions - Kylie Ellison Therapy & Training •Ching, B. C. F., Parlatini, V., Zhang, S., et al. (2024). Impact of the Covid pandemic on the mental health of children and young people with pre-existing mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions: a systematic review andmeta-analysis. European Psychiatry.•Hossain, M. M., et al. (2022). Long-term physical, mental and social health effects of COVID-19 in the paediatric population: a scoping review. Italian Journal of Pediatrics.•Panchal, U., Salazar de Pablo, G., Franco, M., et al. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on child and adolescent mental health: systematic review. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.•Stefanatou, P., et al. (2023). Play as a stress-coping method among children in light of the COVID-19 pandemic: a review. Cureus.•Vasileva, M., Alisic, E., & De Young, A. (2021). COVID-19 unmasked: preschool children's negative thoughts and worries during the COVID-19 pandemic. European Journal of Psychotraumatology.•Hashempour, N., et al. (2024). Prenatal maternal psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic and newborn brain development. JAMA Network Open, 7(6).•Manning, K. Y., Long, X., Watts, D., et al. (2022). Prenatal maternal distress during the COVID-19 pandemic and associations with infant brain connectivity. Biological Psychiatry.•Lu, Y.-C., Andescavage, N., Wu, Y., et al. (2022). Impact of COVID-19 related maternal stress on fetal brain development: a multimodal MRI study. Communications Medicine.•Landreth, G. L. (2023). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship (4th ed.). Routledge.•Association for Play Therapy. (2024). Evidence base for play therapy. www.a4pt.org

    56 min

  6. May 7

    Episode 41 - Reflections on the Road - Come with Us!

    Kylie checks in live from Mildura - exhausted, dinner-less, and fresh off one of her most chaotic travel days yet (yes, there was an emergency Kmart suitcase run). But between the laughs, she unpacks the big takeaways from a massive week of Child-Centred Play Therapy training across Victoria, connecting with close to 70 practitioners in Bendigo, Ballarat, Wyndham Vale, and beyond. The conversation this week kept coming back to one powerful idea: stop talking to kids, and start understanding their play. Kylie explores why asking children questions often misses the mark, how behaviour is always a form of communication, and why the practitioners of Victoria are on the frontline of some of the most important research emerging around the mental health impact of COVID-era lockdowns on children. She also teases next week's deeper dive into understanding what kids are really communicating through play - and puts out the call for listener questions for an upcoming Q&A episode. Raw, real, and full of heart - this one's a quick but meaningful check-in. Got a CCPT question for Kylie? Email us hello@playtherapycircle.com. Join the free Circle community | Find us on Facebook, Instagram & TikTok

    18 min

  7. Apr 30

    Episode 40- More Than Mess Limit-Setting as Clinical Intervention in CCPT

    Is mess in the playroom always therapeutic? In this milestone 40th episode, Kylie challenges some of the assumptions that can creep into Child-Centred Play Therapy practice - specifically around permissiveness and what it really means when a child tips into chaos and destruction during a session. Kylie unpacks why limit-setting isn't a restriction on a child's freedom - it's one of the most empathetic, clinically informed things a play therapist can offer. Drawing on Landreth's ACT model, Dr. Bruce Lipton's research on relational template-downloading in the first five years of life, and the psychoanalytic roots of CCPT through Anna Freud, Melanie Klein, and Virginia Axline, Kylie makes the case that mess is communication and our countertransference is the clinical data we can't afford to ignore. In this episode, Kylie explores: Why non-directiveness is not the same as the absence of structureHow children unconsciously download their understanding of relationships — and what that means when we allow chaos to go uncontainedWhy countertransference is your richest clinical tool when mess shows up in the playroomHow empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard all actively support, not undermine, therapeutic limit-settingThe difference between unconditional regard for the child and unconditional tolerance of every behaviourIf you've ever felt frustrated, overwhelmed, or depleted after a session where the playroom became a free-for-all, this episode is for you. That feeling? That's information. The Play Therapy Circle is hosted by Kylie Ellison — therapist, clinical supervisor, and play therapy trainer. New episodes drop weekly. Want to be part of the circle - join our FREE Community Circle here Circle Subscriptions - Kylie Ellison Therapy & Training.

    39 min

  8. Apr 23

    Episode 39- Finding Your People: Imposter Syndrome, Trusting Your Gut, and the Community That Makes You Whole

    Ever had that nagging feeling that you're not quite good enough - even when the evidence says otherwise? This week, Kylie gets honest about something that came up in real time: imposter syndrome in the helping professions. And if you've ever quietly wondered whether you truly belong in this work, this one is for you. Imposter syndrome isn't new - the term emerged in the 1970s, originally observed in high-achieving women - but its grip on those in caring and helping professions runs especially deep. Unlike a builder who can point to a house they've constructed, therapists and practitioners can't always show tangible proof of their work. The work lives in the room, in the relationship, in the story of a child who finally feels safe enough to play. That invisibility, combined with the deeply personal nature of the work, creates the perfect conditions for self-doubt to take root. Kylie unpacks two distinct voices that fuel imposter syndrome: the inner critic - that familiar, often long-standing voice that whispers you shouldn't be here and the outer chorus, the hum of external expectations, comparisons, and professional pressures that can quietly shape how we see ourselves. Both feel real. Both can be damaging. But here's the thing: neither of them gets to be the final word on who you are. Drawing from her own 11 years in child-centered play therapy, Kylie walks through what it actually looks like to move through imposter syndrome - not by silencing the doubt, but by getting crystal clear on your values. What do you genuinely believe about how children heal? What do you want to be known for at the end of your career? What makes you feel most alive in this work? When you lead from those answers, the outer chorus starts to lose its power. And then there's community. Kylie makes the case - strongly - that finding your people is one of the most protective factors in your entire career. Isolation feeds imposter syndrome. Connection quietens it. Whether you're just starting out and feeling overwhelmed, or you're further along and still navigating moments of self-doubt (because yes, it doesn't just go away), your community exists. The practitioners who see you, believe in you, and want you to flourish. they're out there, and often, they're looking for you too. This episode is a little different in flavour. It's reflective, honest, and came straight from the heart. But sometimes the unplanned episodes are the ones that land the hardest. If today has been a tough one, if you've been questioning where you belong or whether you're enough, this episode is your reminder that the answer is yes. You are enough. Your path is valid and your community is waiting. In this episode: What imposter syndrome is and where the term originally came fromWhy the helping professions are particularly vulnerable to self-doubtThe inner critic vs. the outer chorus and how to tell the differenceWhy your values are your most powerful anchorReflective questions to help you get clear on what matters most to youWhy community is your greatest professional protective factor against burnout and imposter syndromeHow to recognise the right community when you find itA reminder for every early-career practitioner feeling lost: your people existPlay Therapy Circle drops every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you listen. Follow along so you never miss an episode, and come find us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. If you're looking for your community, Kylie's free Circle community is open - check the socials for details.

    35 min
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About

Hosted by therapist and trainer Kylie Ellison, this podcast explores the heart of Child-Centred Play Therapy and the healing power of play. Each episode offers thoughtful reflections and practical insights for play therapists, students, and caregivers supporting children’s emotional wellbeing. ✨ Join the community: https://mailchi.mp/playtherapycircle.com/play-therapy-circle ✨ Podcast subscriptions: https://kylieellison.com.au/ptcsub

Information

  • Creator
    Kylie Ellison
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Kylie Ellison
  • Show Website
    The Play Therapy Circle

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