Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy

In this episode, I answer a question about helping children navigate a difficult divorce and discuss how to guide parents in communicating hard truths in developmentally appropriate ways. I explain why shielding children from reality often creates more confusion and anxiety, because children are already aware that something is wrong. When adults avoid conversations, children fill in the gaps themselves—and unfortunately, they often do so with self-blame, shame, or distorted conclusions. I emphasize the importance of "age-appropriate truth": saying enough to provide clarity and security, without overwhelming the child with adult details.
I also talk about coaching parents to remain calm, neutral, and emotionally regulated when discussing difficult situations with their children. Whether the issue is divorce, illness, learning differences, or family conflict, children need truthful preparation and emotional safety—not secrecy. I explain how openness preserves trust, allows children to process what's happening over time, and prevents resentment from forming later. This episode is ultimately about helping children feel secure enough to face hard realities without feeling responsible for them.
PlayTherapyNow.com is my HUB for everything I do! playtherapynow.com. Sign up for my email newsletter, stay ahead with the latest CCPT CEU courses, personalized coaching opportunities and other opportunities you need to thrive in your CCPT practice. If you click one link in these show notes, this is the one to click!
Topical Playlists! All of the podcasts are now grouped into topical playlists on YouTube. Please go to https://www.youtube.com/kidcounselorbrenna/playlists to view them.
If you would like to ask me questions directly, check out www.ccptcollective.com, where I host two weekly Zoom calls filled with advanced CCPT case studies and session reviews, as well as member Q&A. You can take advantage of the two-week free trial to see if the CCPT Collective is right for you.
Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: [email protected]
Brenna's CCPT Hub: https://www.playtherapynow.com
CCPT Collective (online community exclusively for CCPTs): https://www.ccptcollective.com
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com
APT Approved Play Therapy CE courses: https://childcenteredtraining.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/playtherapypodcast
Common References:
Cochran, N., Nordling, W., & Cochran, J. (2010). Child-Centered Play Therapy (1st ed.). Wiley.
VanFleet, R., Sywulak, A. E., & Sniscak, C. C. (2010). Child-centered play therapy. Guilford Press.
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. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315537948
Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

In this episode of the CCPT Mythbusters series, I address one of the most persistent and widely accepted myths in the field: that therapists have to do something for therapy to be effective. I unpack how this expectation shows up—from parents, schools, and even our own training—and why it creates pressure to intervene, direct, or "produce" visible results. I explain how this mindset is rooted in an adult framework that assumes we know what the child needs and how to get them there, when in reality, that belief directly conflicts with the core principles of child-centered play therapy.
I then reframe what our role actually is in CCPT. Rather than doing something to the child, we provide the conditions that allow the child to do their own work—through relationship, environment, and full adherence to the model. I emphasize that staying out of the child's way is not passive; it is intentional, structured, and grounded in trust of the process. This episode is a reminder that the pressure to "do" is often where therapeutic drift begins—and that true effectiveness in CCPT comes not from intervention, but from unwavering commitment to the model.
Join me for our LIVE 400th Episode!
Register by clicking the following link to join me LIVE on a Zoom call on May 28, 2026 12:00 PM EST. (please note the time zone) www.playtherapypodcast.com/400
PlayTherapyNow.com is my HUB for everything I do! playtherapynow.com. Sign up for my email newsletter, stay ahead with the latest CCPT CEU courses, personalized coaching opportunities and other opportunities you need to thrive in your CCPT practice. If you click one link in these show notes, this is the one to click!
Topical Playlists! All of the podcasts are now grouped into topical playlists on YouTube. Please go to https://www.youtube.com/kidcounselorbrenna/playlists to view them.
If you would like to ask me questions directly, check out www.ccptcollective.com, where I host two weekly Zoom calls filled with advanced CCPT case studies and session reviews, as well as member Q&A. You can take advantage of the two-week free trial to see if the CCPT Collective is right for you.
Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: [email protected]
Brenna's CCPT Hub: https://www.playtherapynow.com
CCPT Collective (online community exclusively for CCPTs): https://www.ccptcollective.com
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com
APT Approved Play Therapy CE courses: https://childcenteredtraining.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/playtherapypodcast
Common References:
Cochran, N., Nordling, W., & Cochran, J. (2010). Child-Centered Play Therapy (1st ed.). Wiley.
VanFleet, R., Sywulak, A. E., & Sniscak, C. C. (2010). Child-centered play therapy. Guilford Press.
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. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315537948
Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

In this Q&A episode, I respond to two questions that highlight common areas of uncertainty in child-centered play therapy. First, I address a case involving a 7-year-old with significant behavioral challenges across settings. The core issue isn't what to "do more," but whether a limit is actually necessary. I walk through the three reasons we set limits and the three questions we ask ourselves, emphasizing that if safety isn't compromised, restraint is often the more appropriate response. What may feel like behavior "on the edge" is often far from it—and staying grounded in the model, without becoming agenda-driven, is what allows the child to work through what they need.
In the second question, I discuss playroom logistics—specifically, removing slime as a recurring activity. I explain why structuring the playroom for success is critical to maintaining permissiveness and therapist acceptance. If certain materials create stress, limits, or disruption, they may be getting in the way of CCPT rather than supporting it. I also explore what slime play may represent for children, such as competence, self-esteem, and comfort, and why removing it can actually open the door for important therapeutic work. Ultimately, this episode reinforces the importance of knowing yourself, trusting the process, and making thoughtful decisions that support both the child and your ability to remain fully present in the model.
2 SPOTS REMAINING - Six-Figure Play Therapist sixfigureplaytherapist.com. The next cohort for the Six-Figure Play Therapist coaching program starts on May 21st, on Thursdays @ 3pm EST. There are two spots left before enrollment closes. Visit the website, watch the video, and schedule your 30-minute Discovery Call.
Topical Playlists! All of the podcasts are now grouped into topical playlists on YouTube. Please go to https://www.youtube.com/kidcounselorbrenna/playlists to view them.
If you would like to ask me questions directly, check out www.ccptcollective.com, where I host two weekly Zoom calls filled with advanced CCPT case studies and session reviews, as well as member Q&A. You can take advantage of the two-week free trial to see if the CCPT Collective is right for you.
Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: [email protected]
Brenna's CCPT Hub: https://www.playtherapynow.com
CCPT Collective (online community exclusively for CCPTs): https://www.ccptcollective.com
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com
APT Approved Play Therapy CE courses: https://childcenteredtraining.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/playtherapypodcast
Common References:
Cochran, N., Nordling, W., & Cochran, J. (2010). Child-Centered Play Therapy (1st ed.). Wiley.
VanFleet, R., Sywulak, A. E., & Sniscak, C. C. (2010). Child-centered play therapy. Guilford Press.
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. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315537948
Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

In this episode, I introduce a new series on the podcast—CCPT Mythbusters—and we begin by tackling what I believe is one of the most pervasive myths in the field: that child-centered play therapy needs innovation. I explain how the field often defines "innovation" as applying models to new populations, integrating multiple theoretical approaches, or repackaging techniques. While those efforts may be creative, they are not innovation within the model itself. If a model is effective, empirically supported, and grounded in a solid theoretical foundation, changing it is not progress—it's a loss of integrity.
I then shift the conversation to where innovation actually belongs: in the professional delivery of play therapy services. I discuss key areas where we can and should improve—how we communicate CCPT to parents, how we front-load clarity to reduce attrition, how we elevate our professional identity and confidently advocate for the model, and how we translate our work into language that others can understand. I also emphasize the need for systems and consistency in how we deliver services across the entire client experience. This episode sets the foundation for the series by making one thing clear: we don't need to change CCPT—we need to deliver it better.
PlayTherapyNow.com is my HUB for everything I do! playtherapynow.com. Sign up for my email newsletter, stay ahead with the latest CCPT CEU courses, personalized coaching opportunities and other opportunities you need to thrive in your CCPT practice. If you click one link in these show notes, this is the one to click!
Topical Playlists! All of the podcasts are now grouped into topical playlists on YouTube. Please go to https://www.youtube.com/kidcounselorbrenna/playlists to view them.
If you would like to ask me questions directly, check out www.ccptcollective.com, where I host two weekly Zoom calls filled with advanced CCPT case studies and session reviews, as well as member Q&A. You can take advantage of the two-week free trial to see if the CCPT Collective is right for you.
Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: [email protected]
Brenna's CCPT Hub: https://www.playtherapynow.com
CCPT Collective (online community exclusively for CCPTs): https://www.ccptcollective.com
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com
APT Approved Play Therapy CE courses: https://childcenteredtraining.com
Facebook: https://facebook.com/playtherapypodcast
Common References:
Cochran, N., Nordling, W., & Cochran, J. (2010). Child-Centered Play Therapy (1st ed.). Wiley.
VanFleet, R., Sywulak, A. E., & Sniscak, C. C. (2010). Child-centered play therapy. Guilford Press.
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. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315537948
Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

In this episode, I answer a question about preparing a child and family for termination in child-centered play therapy—especially when the child appears clinically ready, but the parent is still seeing concerns outside the playroom. I walk through how to assess readiness using the four termination criteria, including both clinical and environmental factors, and explain why it can feel unclear when progress is happening in most settings but not at home. In those cases, I emphasize that the issue may not be the child's readiness, but rather a relational dynamic within that specific environment.
I also discuss how to navigate the emotional and relational complexities of termination, particularly with children who have attachment needs and view the playroom as a primary source of safety. I explain why termination must be a gradual, intentional process—with clear communication, countdowns, and consistent language that preserves the child's sense of security. Finally, I introduce the idea of transitioning to CPRT when appropriate, allowing both the child and parent to continue their work in a way that strengthens the relationship. This episode is a reminder that termination is not an endpoint—it's a carefully guided transition that supports long-term growth.
ONLY 2 SPOTS LEFT — For Therapists Ready to Master CCPT
Play Therapy Professional (PTPro)
Tuesdays @ 2pm EST | 26 weeks
https://www.playtherapypro.com/get-certified/
This program is for therapists who are ready to move beyond learning concepts and into true mastery of CCPT.
To help you determine if this is the right next step:
Text "CCPT" to 813-812-5525
We'll send you a short list of key podcast episodes. These represent the foundation we assume in coaching. If you feel confident in that material, you're likely a great fit.
PlayTherapyNow.com is my HUB for everything I do! playtherapynow.com. Sign up for my email newsletter, stay ahead with the latest CCPT CEU courses, personalized coaching opportunities and other opportunities you need to thrive in your CCPT practice. If you click one link in these show notes, this is the one to click!
Common References:
Cochran, N., Nordling, W., & Cochran, J. (2010). Child-Centered Play Therapy (1st ed.). Wiley.
VanFleet, R., Sywulak, A. E., & Sniscak, C. C. (2010). Child-centered play therapy. Guilford Press.
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. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315537948
Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.