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

Play Therapy Podcast

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 shame or guilt for families.

I discuss three main points to handle this situation: setting clear expectations, effective communication, and understanding the 'why' behind the proposed changes. I emphasize that working with children inherently involves noise, mess, and emotional dysregulation, which must be accepted when choosing to include child therapy in a practice.

I stress the importance of setting expectations from the beginning and having personal conversations with existing clients about any changes, rather than simply posting signs. I also explore potential reasons for the owner's concerns, such as safety, liability, or client discomfort, and how understanding these can guide appropriate solutions. Finally, I offer practical suggestions for noise reduction in the practice without restricting children's behavior.

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.

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