Best Moustakas Podcasts (2024)

1
Understanding Child Adjustment Through Play: Lessons from The Art of the Relationship and Moustakas' Research 15:28

4h ago15:28

15:28

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I continue our Summer School Series by diving into a unique section from Garry Landreth's The Art of the Relationship, focusing on Moustakas' research about the differences in play between adjusted and maladjusted children. We explore how adjusted children tend to be more conversational, spontaneous, and…

1
Beyond the Diagnosis: How Child-Centered Play Therapy Supports Children with Various Conditions and Diagnoses 16:33

2h ago16:33

16:33

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I respond to a question from Bailey in Texas about the effectiveness of child-centered play therapy (CCPT) for children with NF1, a genetic condition. Bailey is working with a six-year-old client whose symptoms resemble ADHD, and she’s curious about the realistic expectations for therapy outcomes. I broa…

1
Summer Breaks in Child-Centered Play Therapy: Strategies for Continuity 12:42

2h ago12:42

12:42

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a common issue many of us face every year—how to handle requests from parents to take a break from therapy over the summer. Ethan from Virginia wrote in with a question about managing this situation when parents want to pause sessions due to scheduling conflicts like camps, vacations, and other…

1
The Power of Boundaries in Child-Centered Play Therapy: Managing Separation Anxiety 17:49

5h ago17:49

17:49

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a question from Jonathan, whos client wanted to leave the playroom to see her grandmother in the second session. I explore the challenges of handling this situation using the child-centered protocol. We discuss the importance of setting clear boundaries within the session, maintaining the child…

1
When Therapy is Cut Short: Understanding the Impact on Stages and Phases 17:58

3h ago17:58

17:58

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I respond to a listener question from Terri in Ireland, who is navigating the challenges of a truncated therapeutic process. Terri shares her experience with two clients whose sessions were limited due to her training circumstances, and she wonders about the impact on the stages and phases of therapy. To…

1
Meeting Children Where They Are: The Power of Child-Centered Play Therapy 19:38

4h ago19:38

19:38

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I continue the Summer School Series by exploring Garry Landreth's Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship, fourth edition. I discuss how play serves as a vital medium of communication for children, allowing them to express feelings and attitudes that may be too difficult to articulate verbally. As ther…

1
Unexpected Breakthroughs: Navigating Power Dynamics When a Child Tapes Your Mouth Shut 20:18

13d ago20:18

20:18

In this episode, I address a question from Holly in Virginia about a challenging play therapy session with a 5-year-old child who has a significant trauma background. The child duct-taped Holly's mouth shut during the session, raising questions about setting limits and handling power and control dynamics in the playroom. I discuss why this situatio…

1
Unconditional Acceptance: The Heart of Child-Centered Play Therapy 21:36

1h ago21:36

21:36

In this episode of our summer school series, I delve into a powerful passage from Garry Landreth's "The Art of the Relationship." I explore the concept of children's unique personalities and how they affect their therapeutic journey. Using Landreth's vivid analogies of children being like popcorn, molasses, mushrooms, or orchids, I discuss the impo…

1
Navigating Child and Adult Therapy Coexistence in a Group Practice: Expectations, Communication, and the 'Why' 16:46

5d ago16:46

16:46

In this episode, I address a question from an anonymous listener who called in. This listener works in a multi-disciplinary practice where child-centered play therapy coexists with adult therapy. The practice owner is considering implementing restrictive rules for children's behavior in common areas, raising the listener's concerns about potential …

1
Mastering the 5 Goals of Child-Centered Play Therapy Sessions: From Theory to Practice 20:45

7d ago20:45

20:45

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I continue our summer school series by diving into "A Practical Handbook for Building the Play Therapy Relationship" by Giordano, Landreth, and Jones. I explore the five key goals of play therapy sessions and discuss how child-centered play therapy techniques help achieve these goals. I break down each g…

1
The Addiction We're Ignoring: Screen Time and Child Mental Health 23:45

12d ago23:45

23:45

In this episode, I dive deep into a concerning trend in child and adolescent psychotherapy: the use of video games in therapy. I address an email from Carolyn in Vermont, who asks about therapists using video games to engage "difficult" clients, often using person-centered language to justify this approach. I express my strong concerns about this p…

1
The Power of You: Why Your Personality Matters in Child-Centered Play Therapy 16:22

1M ago16:22

16:22

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I continue our summer school series by diving into the eighth and final principle from Gary Landreth's "Innovations in Play Therapy." This principle focuses on establishing therapeutic limits that help children accept personal and appropriate relationship responsibility. I explore the importance of setti…

1
Freedom to Be Loud: The Significance of Loud Play in Child-Centered Play Therapy 12:16

1M ago12:16

12:16

In this episode... First of all, I'm thrilled to celebrate a major milestone with you all - the Play Therapy Podcast has reached 300,000 downloads! I'm deeply grateful for your continued support and dedication to child-centered play therapy. Your commitment to listening and applying these principles in your work with children and families is truly …

1
The Art of Following: Why Letting Children Lead is Key to Being and Effective Child-Centered Play Therapist 16:40

1M ago16:40

16:40

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I continue our summer school series, diving deep into the principles of effective play therapists as outlined in Landreth's "Innovations in play therapy: Issues, process, and special populations." book. We explore the sixth and seventh principles, which focus on trusting the child's inner direction and a…

1
Q&A Lightning Round #7: Five Questions From Three Listeners Answered 39:40

2M ago39:40

39:40

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I dive into a mini lightning round, answering five questions from three different listeners. Before getting into the Q&A, I share a heartwarming email from Tammy in Ireland, who recounts her early experiences with child-centered play therapy (CCPT) and the amazing progress she witnessed in a young client…

1
Trusting the Child's Innate Wisdom: Two More Core Principles of Effective Child-Centered Play Therapists 17:29

2M ago17:29

17:29

In this episode, I continue our summer school series on essential principles for effective play therapists. We explore two key principles from Garry Landreth's "Innovations in Play Therapy": 1. Being sensitive to the child's feelings and reflecting them to foster self-understanding. 2. Believing deeply in the child's ability to act responsibly and …

1
Play Therapy Challenges: From Credentials to Limit-Setting 21:24

2M ago21:24

21:24

In this episode, I answer questions from Sarah, a school therapist in Florida. Sarah's role as an in-school therapist for a therapeutic unit presents unique challenges, and I'm excited to address her questions about play therapy. I start by reassuring therapists that you don't need specific credentials to be an effective play therapist. The key is …

1
Beyond Techniques: Cultivating the Therapist's Personality for CCPT Success 19:40

2M ago19:40

19:40

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I continue our summer school series on the essential personality characteristics of effective play therapists. We dive into the second and third principles: unconditional acceptance and creating safety and permissiveness in the relationship, from Garry Landreth's book "Innovations in Play Therapy." I dis…

1
Resistance or Control? Responding to 'Don't Talk to Me' Moments in Child-Centered Play Therapy 16:14

2M ago16:14

16:14

In this episode, I answer a question from Julia in New York about handling situations where a child tells us to "leave them alone" or "don't talk to me" during play therapy sessions. I explore two possible reasons for this behavior: resistance or power and control issues. I explain how to distinguish between these based on the child's tone and over…

1
The Therapist's Self: Unpacking Landreth's Essential Qualities of Effective Child-Centered Play Therapists 12:26

2M ago12:26

12:26

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I dive into the essential personality characteristics of effective play therapists. Drawing from Garry Landreth's book "Innovations in Play Therapy," I discuss the first of Virginia Axline's eight basic principles that guide interactions with children in play therapy. The first principle: the therapist's…

1
The Art of Understanding: Mastering the 'Why' in Child-Centered Play Therapy 15:33

2M ago15:33

15:33

In this episode, I dive into a question from Ethan in Virginia about understanding the "why" behind a child's behavior in play therapy. As someone who frequently emphasizes the importance of knowing the why, I share my thoughts on developing this crucial skill. I begin by reassuring listeners that while understanding the why is important, play ther…

1
Understanding the Foundation: Landreth's 10 Tenets of Child-Centered Play Therapy 18:33

2M ago18:33

18:33

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I continue our ongoing summer school series, focusing on Garry Landreth's "The Art of the Relationship" (4th edition). I discuss the 10 tenets of relating to children from a child-centered perspective, which form the foundation for all our therapeutic work. I explain how these tenets provide a framework …

1
When a Child's Outbursts are Limited to Home: A Child-Centered Play Therapy Perspective 13:55

2M ago13:55

13:55

In this episode, I answer a question from Tammy in Canada about a 9-year-old child who is well-behaved in settings like school and sports, but has outbursts, hits parents, swears, and calls names when experiencing big emotions at home. The child then deals with a lot of shame afterwards. I explain that when a child is dysregulated predominantly at …

1
Mastering Nuances of Reflective Responding in Child-Centered Play Therapy 16:05

3M ago16:05

16:05

In today's episode, I dive into the importance of being attuned and mindful in our play therapy sessions. Today I'm reading from the book A practical handbook for building the play therapy relationship. by Giordano, Landreth and Jones, I discuss how subtle things we do as therapists can inadvertently make a child feel that something is wrong. From …

1
How to Handle Runny Noses, Licking, Spitting, and Germs in the Playroom: A Child-Centered Approach 15:10

3M ago15:10

15:10

In this episode, I address a great question from Carley in Oregon about how to manage germs in the playroom in a child-centered way. Carley asked about a client who licks and spits on his fingers while playing card games, as well as how to handle kids with very runny noses during allergy season. For the licking and spitting, I explain that this is …

1
CCPT is a Way of Being, Not a Technique: Wisdom from Art of The Relationship 19:11

3M ago19:11

19:11

In this episode, I dive into the true essence of Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) by sharing powerful excerpts from Garry Landreth's seminal book "Art of The Relationship". Landreth emphasizes that CCPT is not just a set of techniques, but a way of being and a philosophy for living one's life in relationships with children. It requires internaliz…

1
Q&A Lightning Round #6: Three Questions From Listeners Answered 37:22

3M ago37:22

37:22

In this lightning round episode, I tackle three listener questions about child-centered play therapy (CCPT). Cindy from California asked how to respond when parents say kids can learn academics, so why can't they learn coping skills the same way. I explain that academics are formulaic whereas emotions are non-linear, and the therapeutic relationshi…

1
Not Everything is a Theme! Landreth Sets the Story Straight 22:59

3M ago22:59

22:59

Today I'm beginning my "Summer School" Series where we are going to go back to the classical texts of child-centered play therapy. In this episode, I dive into the challenges of truly understanding the meaning behind children's play, and the importance of grounding our work in the original theories and principles of child-centered play therapy. I s…

1
Navigating Play Therapy with Siblings: Practical Tips for Child-Centered Play Therapists 13:39

3M ago13:39

13:39

In this episode, I answer a listener question about working with siblings in play therapy. I share that joint sessions can be beneficial if siblings experienced the same stressful event, but recommend having individual sessions first to build rapport. If a therapist is already seeing one sibling and the parent asks to start the other, I advise gett…

1
The "I Wonder" Blunder: Avoid Directive Questioning and Master "I Wonder" Statements and Whispers in Child-Centered Play Therapy 16:46

3M ago16:46

16:46

In this episode, I dive into the proper use of "I wonder" statements and the whisper technique in child-centered play therapy. I've noticed these skills are sometimes being misused or overused, so I wanted to provide some clarification. I discuss how "I wonder" statements should be used sparingly and only when clinically necessary to gather informa…

1
Safe Play: What It Means When a Child Picks the Same Toys Every Time 17:29

3M ago17:29

17:29

In this episode, I address a great question from Katie in Florida about what to do when kids seem unsure of what to play with in later play therapy sessions and gravitate toward the same activities each time. First, I discuss how this pattern could indicate the child is in a state of resistance or avoidance. They may be doing "safe play" to delay d…

1
Making the Transition: How to Shift from Directive to a Child-Centered Play Therapy Approach 18:49

3M ago18:49

18:49

In this episode, I discuss how to transition from a directive or eclectic play therapy approach to a fully child-centered play therapy model. I share tips for communicating this change to both parents and the child in a direct, transparent way. When making this transition with a child you're already working with, it's important to acknowledge the u…

1
How Child-Centered Principles Transformed My Art Classroom: Gabby's Transformation Story 11:56

4M ago11:56

11:56

In this episode, I shared an inspiring email from Gabby, an art teacher in South Africa who has been applying child-centered play therapy principles in her classroom. Gabby stumbled upon my podcast "by accident" and found that the CCPT approach deeply resonated with her teaching style and beliefs about working with children. By implementing CCPT te…

1
The Moment It All Clicked: Unexpected Paths to a Career in CCPT 19:29

4M ago19:29

19:29

In this episode, I share some fascinating unofficial data I collected from my email subscribers about their journeys to finding child-centered play therapy (CCPT). I was curious to learn more after noticing a pattern of people mentioning they came to CCPT as a second or third career. The responses revealed an incredibly diverse range of prior caree…

1
Q&A Lightning Round #5: Nine Questions From Listeners Answered 1:12:29

4M ago1:12:29

1:12:29

Here are the listeners and topics of questions answered in this episode: Madison from Iowa - Scheduling parent consultations, child taking lots of medications Maria from California - Child pretends to be an animal in session Teri from California - Termination process Miray from Turkey - Child is asking personal questions Heidi from the UK - CCPT wi…

1
Special Interview: Dr. Brandy Schumann, Creator of the 2nd Most Important Toy in the Playroom... the "BoA" (AKA "Bobo") 59:30

4M ago59:30

59:30

It was my pleasure to interview Dr. Brandy Schumann for today's podcast episode. Dr. Schumann is the creator/owner of the Bag of Air, the best quality and most durable "Bobo" in every play therapist's playroom! I have 4 Bags of Air, in my center (one over 9 years old), and I encourage every play therapist to invest in a quality Bobo. So I thought i…

1
Overcoming Separation Challenges: A Child-Centered Approach 17:12

4M ago17:12

17:12

In this episode, I address a therapist's question about working with a 9-year-old boy struggling with severe separation anxiety. The child's anxiety stems from an experience of an upset stomach while living in Tanzania, which he has now anchored to feeling safe only when his mother is present. I explain the importance of understanding the root caus…

1
Mastering the Art of Limit-Setting: The Power of the "Pause" in Offering Perfectly Aligned Choices 16:44

4M ago16:44

16:44

In this episode, we get into the fine details of limit setting in play therapy sessions. I emphasize the importance of the "limit setting pause" – a crucial moment where we take a beat to understand the child's underlying emotions, needs, and motivations before setting a limit. By taking this pause, we can set limits and offer choices that truly re…

1
The Inside Track on CCPT Supervision: Why Theoretical Alignment Matters - Part 2 of My Chat with Dr. Jodi Mullen 33:45

4M ago33:45

33:45

In today's episode, I got to sit down with Dr. Jodi Mullen and talk about CCPT supervision. Dr. Mullen is an RPT-S and CCPT-Master and brings decades of experience to this conversation. I know you hear this from me often, but I wanted you to hear the message from someone else, who is an actual RPT-S, of why and how important it is to have a supervi…

1
Special Interview Episode: Dr. Jodi Mullen - Talking Child-Centered Play Therapy and Child Trauma (part 1 of 2) 40:00

4M ago40:00

40:00

In today's episode, I got to sit down with Dr. Jodi Mullen and talk about the world of CCPT, and specifically, Dr. Mullen's specialty of childhood trauma. I hope you enjoy this special episode as much as I enjoyed making it. It was a pleasure to "talk shop" with Dr. Mullen and share stories and inspiration with her. Ask Me Questions: Call (813) 812…

1
Understanding and Managing Bathroom Accidents in Child-Centered Play Therapy 19:02

5M ago19:02

19:02

In this episode, we tackle a sensitive but common issue faced in child-centered play therapy: managing enuresis and encopresis among young clients. I answer a question from Juliette in Georgia, addressing how therapists can maintain a child-centered approach while dealing with bathroom accidents during therapy sessions. First I discuss the underlyi…

1
Mastering Limit Setting in Child-Centered Play Therapy: A Deep Dive 15:10

5M ago15:10

15:10

In this episode, we take a pause from my planned curriculum to address a crucial skill that many therapists find challenging: limit setting in child-centered play therapy. Over the next two weeks, we will explore this topic in depth, aiming to refine and enhance your limit-setting techniques. Limit setting in therapy sessions is a multifaceted skil…

1
Silence in the Playroom: Navigating Child-Centered Play Therapy with a Selectively Mute Child 18:29

5M ago18:29

18:29

In this episode, I tackle a nuanced situation shared by Nell from Maryland, a play therapist working with an 11-year-old client who does not speak during therapy sessions. Despite not being diagnosed as selectively mute, the child exhibits behaviors akin to selective mutism, engaging in play but not verbal communication. While the child's parents a…

1
Reverse Pandora's Box: Understanding Progress and Regression in Child-Centered Play Therapy 18:13

5M ago18:13

18:13

In today's episode, I start the first episode in a new series on advanced CCPT concepts. Today I'm discussing a metaphor/story that I tell parents during consultations that I refer to as the Reverse Pandora's Box. This idea is crucial for understanding the natural process of regression and progress in therapy. Drawing from the mythological story of…

1
Exploring the Therapeutic Use of Board Games in a Child-Centered Playroom 13:22

5M ago13:22

13:22

In today's episode, I answer a question from Summer in Illinois. She asked about the use of board games in the playroom. As a tool in child-centered play therapy, board games serve as a conduit for emotional growth, problem-solving, and social interaction. This episode's content highlights how the structured nature of board games can be leveraged t…

1
6 Takeaways from "Filial Therapy Using Child Parent Relationship Therapy" 15:39

5M ago15:39

15:39

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I continue the discussion into the child-centered filial approach within play therapy. I recently conducted a filial CEU course, and I want to share the insights I learned from participant feedback. I identified six key takeaways, offering valuable perspectives for integrating CPRT (Child-Centered Play T…

1
Navigating the First Session: Achieving the "Touchstone Story" Goals with a Child-Centered Approach 22:06

5M ago22:06

22:06

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address a question from Marian in Ireland regarding the Touchstone story, a method sometimes used in initial therapy sessions. While acknowledging the intention behind the Touchstone story, I delve into why it doesn't align with child-centered play therapy principles. Instead, I propose ways to achieve…

1
Filial Therapy: Understanding Goals for Parents, Children, and Therapists 18:46

5M ago18:46

18:46

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I cover the goals of filial therapy. I'm focusing primarily on the Child-Parent Relationship Training (CPRT) model. Facilitators need to understand the importance of these goals for parents, children, and the therapist. For parents, the goals of filial therapy include gaining tools, knowledge, and a new …

1
Q&A Lightning Round #4: 5 Questions From Listeners Answered 47:33

5M ago47:33

47:33

Lightning Round Q&A #4! - Four listeners contacted me with five questions, so here we go with Lightning Round #4. I'm so grateful to you and your investment in child-centered play therapy. You are why I do this podcast. Thank you for your emails and phone calls. Here is a summary of the questions: Pamela from Texas - The child keeps getting "bad" b…

1
From Playroom to Home: Integrating Filial Therapy into Practice 15:18

6M ago15:18

15:18

In this episode, we delve into filial therapy, continuing our exploration of working with parents and families. Filial therapy, derived from the Latin word for family, encompasses various theoretical orientations, with our focus being on the child-centered approach. I emphasize the importance of empirical support in our work and highlight statistic…

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