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

406 | When an Intern Sits In: Best Practices for CCPT Observation + Live Event Announcements!

18 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I answer a question about allowing interns, supervisees, and other clinicians to observe child-centered play therapy sessions. I disc...

405 | What Happens Now? Preserving Garry Landreth's Legacy

16 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this special episode, I take a break from the MythBusters series to reflect on the life, influence, and legacy of Dr. Garry Landreth. Like so many ...

404 | What If a Child Brings Schoolwork Into the Playroom?

11 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I answer a follow-up question about children bringing items from home into the playroom and explore a specific scenario involving a c...

403 | CCPT Mythbusters: Children Need Guidance to Change

09 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the CCPT Mythbusters series, I tackle the belief that children need guidance to change. This myth is deeply embedded in our culture...

402 | Understanding Extreme Dysregulation and Trusting the CCPT Process

04 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I answer a question about a 7-year-old child whose play therapy sessions have been marked by extreme dysregulation, constant limit se...

402 | Understanding Extreme Dysregulation and Trusting the CCPT Process

04 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I answer a question about a 7-year-old child whose play therapy sessions have been marked by extreme dysregulation, constant limit se...

401 | CCPT Mythbusters: What the Child Is Doing Isn't Enough

02 Jun 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the CCPT Mythbusters series, I tackle a belief that quietly shows up in many therapists' thinking: that what the child is doing in ...

400 | 400 Episodes of CCPT: Reflections, Vision, and Live Q&A

29 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This week's episode is a special one—the recording of our 400th Play Therapy Podcast livestream celebration. What began as an experiment with six ep...

399 | Signs a Child Has Too Much Screen Time: What It Looks Like in the CCPT Playroom

21 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I answer a question about recognizing signs of excessive and unrestricted technology use in children and how those patterns show up i...

398 | CCPT Mythbusters: The Child Has to Talk About It

19 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the CCPT Mythbusters series, I tackle the belief that "play therapy isn't enough" unless children verbally talk about their problem...

397 | If Children Aren't Cognitive, Why Do Some Want to Sit and Talk?

14 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I answer a thoughtful question about how child-centered play therapy works if children are not yet capable of abstract reasoning. I e...

396 | CCPT Mythbusters: It's Not Therapeutic If the Child Won't Go to the Playroom

12 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the CCPT Mythbusters series, I tackle the belief that "it's not play therapy if the child isn't in the playroom." I explain why a c...

395 | Helping Children Through Divorce: The Importance of Age-Appropriate Truth

07 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I answer a question about helping children navigate a difficult divorce and discuss how to guide parents in communicating hard truths...

394 | CCPT Mythbusters: You Have to "Do Something"... or Therapy Won't Work

05 May 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 d...

393 | When to Set Limits (and When Not To) in CCPT + Removing Toys

30 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 inv...

392 | CCPT Mythbusters: The "Innovation" Myth in Play Therapy

28 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

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 myt...

391 | When a Child Doesn't Want to Stop: Navigating Termination in CCPT

23 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I answer a question about preparing a child and family for termination in child-centered play therapy—especially when the child app...

390 | Room Wrecks: The Moment That Tests Every Child-Centered Play Therapist (A CCPT Guide for Understanding and Handling Them)

21 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I walk through one of the most challenging—and inevitable—aspects of child-centered play therapy: room wrecks. I explain why thes...

389 | Building Buy-In for CCPT with Teachers and Staff

17 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I answer a question about how to effectively communicate child-centered play therapy to teachers and school staff—especially when t...

388 | Why Are These Kids So Happy?: What I Learned About Parenting (and CCPT) from Japan

14 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I share some observations from my recent trip to Japan and reflect on what I noticed about children and their parents. What stood out...

387 | Stop Overloading Parents: How to Drip Feed CCPT Skills

07 Apr 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I talk about a common mistake we make in parent consults—giving parents too much, too fast, and expecting them to implement it succ...

386 | Adulthood Bias and Piaget: Why Adults Misunderstand Children

31 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I revisit the concept of Adulthood Bias and explain why it continues to show up so frequently in how adults interact with children. A...

385 | How to Talk to Kids About Parent Meetings and Notes in CCPT

26 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I answer a question about how to communicate with children regarding two important parts of the play therapy process: meeting with pa...

384 | Stop Trying to Figure Out the Play: A Reminder for CCPT Therapists

24 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I address a growing trend I've been seeing among therapists—trying to interpret, analyze, and "figure out" what a child's play mean...

383 | The Parent Factor in CCPT: Can a Child Fully Heal If the Parent Doesn't Change?

19 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I answer a question about how a parent's own anxiety, stress, or perfectionism impacts a child's progress in play therapy. I talk thr...

382 | "Imposter Syndrome" in Therapy: Why It's Time to Let It Go

18 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I challenge the widespread use of the phrase "imposter syndrome" in the therapy field and invite you to reconsider what you're saying...

381 | When Kids Ask Questions in the Playroom: How CCPT Therapists Should Respond

12 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I answer a listener question about working with an inquisitive 11-year-old who frequently asks questions during sessions. Many child-...

380 | From Playing Alone to Playing Together: Understanding the Shift in CCPT

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I talk through the differences between independent play and collaborative play in child-centered play therapy sessions, and why under...

379 | When Children Leave the Playroom and Parents Email Too Much: Two Questions Answered

05 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I answer two listener questions that highlight common challenges child-centered play therapists face in session and in communication ...

378 | Stop Rescuing Children in the Playroom

03 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I address something I see far too often in child-centered play therapy: therapists struggling to let children struggle. If it is pain...

377 | The Therapist Trust Triad & Parent Partnership Pathway: Frameworks for Parent Engagement and Client Retention

27 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I recap the second day of Field of Dreams and focus specifically on what I believe is one of the most crucial — and often overlooke...

376 | Q&A Lightning Round #9: Six Questions from Four Listeners Answered

24 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this lightning round episode, I tackle four listener questions that each highlight common pressure points in CCPT practice. First, I address a ques...

375 | Why Most CCPT Therapists Crumble Under Pressure (And What To Do About It!)

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I walk you through the Summit Framework — the developmental roadmap for mastery in child-centered play therapy that I presented at ...

374 | What to Do When Children Want to Save What They Built - A CCPT Q&A

18 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this Q&A episode, I respond to a question from a school-based, mobile play therapist navigating what to do when children want to preserve, hide, or...

373 | Perfectionism, People-Pleasing, and Fear of Vulnerability

12 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I respond to a question about a nine-year-old who presents as mature, responsible, and "put together," yet shows strong perfectionist...

372 | Why This Podcast Is Unapologetically Child-Centered: The Purpose of the Play Therapy Podcast

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I pause and recenter on the why behind this podcast and the work I'm committed to in the play therapy field. With a recent surge of n...

371 | OCD Behaviors in Children: What We're Really Treating in CCPT

05 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I address a topic I've been getting more and more questions about: children who present with obsessive or compulsive behaviors that m...

370 | CCPT Gamechangers: How to Respond When Adults Say Kids Are Rational

29 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this Game Changers episode, I tackle one of the most common objections we hear from adults: "If children aren't rational or cognitive, how do they ...

369 | Understanding Time and Touch in Child-Centered Play Therapy

26 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I answer two questions that touch on both the clinical and relational demands of child-centered play therapy. First, I address why th...

368 | CCPT Gamechangers: The Hidden Problem with Battery-Operated Toys

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the CCPT Game Changers series, I take a close look at battery-operated toys in the playroom and why they require much more intentio...

367 | Night Terrors, Adoption, and Age-Appropriate Truth

15 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I respond to a question about a six-year-old client with a history of early instability who has experienced recurring night terrors. ...

366 | CCPT Gamechangers: Why 'You Wanted Me to Know' Isn't Truly Child-Centered

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the CCPT Game Changers series, I take a close look at a group of phrases I hear frequently in play sessions, such as "You wanted me...

365 | Just Because They're Older Doesn't Mean We Change the Model

30 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I answer a thoughtful question about working with tweens and teens—particularly neurodivergent clients—and whether it's ever appr...

364 | CCPT Gamechangers: How to Handle Children Who Dart Out of the Playroom

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this Game Changers episode, I address one of the most stressful moments for play therapists: children who dart out of the playroom. I explain why "...

363 | Reducing Attrition by Preparing Parents for Resistance

18 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I respond to Elliott's question about children who strongly resist play therapy from the very beginning and parents who eventually gi...

362 | CCPT Gamechangers: Why Overanalyzing the Play Becomes a Therapist Trap (Symbolic Play & Themes)

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this Game Changers episode, I address a pattern I've been seeing everywhere: therapists becoming overly focused on identifying, interpreting, and a...

361 | Pricing Your Practice: The Real Math Behind Free Parent Consultations

11 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I respond to Sarah's question about how to structure and charge for parent consultations in a child-centered private practice. I expl...

360 | CCPT Gamechangers: "Mom Said I'm Supposed To…" What You Do Next Matters

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this Game Changers episode, I tackle a common but tricky moment in the playroom—when a child walks in and says, "Mom said I'm supposed to…" or ...

359 | Mobile Play Therapy Challenges: Keeping Kids in the Play Space

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I answer Andrea's question about providing CCPT in a client's home and navigating the challenges that arise when the play space isn't...

358 | CCPT Gamechangers: How a Language Shift Changes Everything in Feeling Reflections

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this first episode of the CCPT Game Changers series, I break down one of the smallest—but most transformative—shifts you can make in the playro...

357 | No Parents Allowed! - The Ripple Effect of a Parent Entering Session

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I respond to Dovi's question about an older child whose session became dysregulated when his dad joined the playroom. I explain why p...

356 | Attrition: The Hidden Crisis in Play Therapy (Special Episode)

26 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this special episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I address what I believe is one of the most unrecognized threats to effective play therapy: high ...

355 | Costumes, Playroom Essentials, and First-Person vs. Third-Person

20 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I answer two great listener questions from Mikaela in Illinois. First, we dive into costumes in the playroom—what's essential, how ...

354 | The Resistance Phase No One Talks About — And Why YOU Must Go Through It

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I talk honestly about the struggles we all face as child-centered play therapists — not as problems to be avoided, but as essential...

353 | Selective Mutism and CCPT: Trusting the Process

12 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I respond to Erin's question about working with a selectively mute child. I explain that selective mutism isn't a separate diagnosis—...

352 | Power, Control, and Anxiety: Unpacking the Child's Need for Dominance

06 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I respond to Heather's question about a client who returned to therapy after a higher level of care. This child's play is dominated b...

351 | Ending Well: How to Structure the Final Session in CCPT

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I walk through the final phase of Child-Centered Play Therapy—the countdown and last session. Once a child is ready to terminate, o...

350 | Two Common Challenges: Self-Esteem Work and Separation Anxiety

30 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I respond to two questions from Megan in D.C.—one about navigating self-esteem work and another about handling separation anxiety i...

349 | When to End: Evaluating Client Readiness for Termination

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I discuss how to determine when a child is truly ready to terminate therapy. While we often focus on the beginning and middle of the ...

348 | When Families Stop Coming: Understanding Attrition in CCPT

23 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I respond to Sally's question about attendance and attrition in Child-Centered Play Therapy. Many therapists are noticing families st...

347 | Sibling & Group Work in CCPT: Bringing More Than One Child Into the Playroom

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I explore the dynamics of sibling and group play therapy sessions in Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT). I walk through why and when ...

346 | What to Do When the Child Dictates the Session and Controls the Dialogue

16 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I respond to a question from Lungile, a clinician in South Africa working with a 9-year-old girl who engages in highly directive role...

345 | When a Child Won't Go Back to the Playroom: Navigating the "Lobby" Session with the Child and Parents

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I walk you through one of the most challenging—but entirely normal—scenarios in child-centered play therapy: when a child refuses...

344 | Neutral Truth, Big Impact: Communicating with Children and Advocating for Them

09 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I answer two questions from Chloe in Georgia. First, I talk about how to navigate physical limitations or health issues—like pregna...

343 | Art of the Session: A Complete Framework for Confident Practice

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this final episode of the Art of the Session series, I walk through a full recap of everything we've covered over the past 16 episodes. This has be...

342 | Answer or Redirect? Preserving Connection Without Shifting the Focus

03 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this Q&A episode, I answer three questions from Emily. First, I share how I guide parents to respond when a child—or their sibling—asks why the...

341 | Art of the Session: Role Play in CCPT - Staying Centered When the Child Assigns You a Role

01 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Art of the Session series, I focus on how we engage in role play within child-centered play therapy sessions—and more importa...

340 | "I Hate This and I Hate You": Trust the Process When Kids Push Back in Play Therapy

25 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I respond to a powerful and relatable question from Liba in Pennsylvania about working with a highly anxious, intensely resistant 8-y...

339 | Art of the Session: "I Wonder" and Whisper Techniques

23 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I explore two valuable techniques that every child-centered play therapist should have in their toolbox: ...

338 | What Parents Really Need to Hear: How to Structure and Deliver Powerful Parent Consultations

18 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I answer a question from Juliet in Georgia about how to communicate effectively with parents during the initial parent consultation a...

337 | Art of the Session: Narrative Commentary in CCPT

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Art of the Session series, I introduce a skill I call Narrative Commentary—a powerful tool for those quiet, reflective moment...

336 | When a Child "Breaks" Limits: Staying True to the CCPT Model

11 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I respond to a question from Jordan in New York about handling repeated limit "testing" in the playroom—especially in the context o...

335 | Art of the Session: Play Session Guidelines - Labeling, Following the Metaphor, & Neutrality

09 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I continue our Art of the Session series by outlining three key session guidelines that don't fall int...

334 | Preparing Parents for What's Coming: Set Expectations Early or Struggle Later

04 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I answer two important questions from McKenzie in Illinois—both centered around session frequency and resistance during therapy. I ...

333 | Art of the Session: Encouragement and Esteem Building - Helping Kids Believe They're Capable

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Art of the Session series, I explore the final pillar of Child-Centered Play Therapy—Encouragement, with a bonus deep-dive in...

332 | The Screen-Free Playroom: Holding the Line in a Digital World

28 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I respond to a question from Kaylia in Arkansas about how to handle children who want to look something up on a phone during a play s...

331 | Art of the Session: The ACT of Setting Limits

26 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Art of the Session series, I walk through one of the trickiest and frequently rushed CCPT skills: limit setting. We revisit why...

330 | From Over-Attachment to Avoidance: Making Sense of Child Responses in CCPT

21 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I respond to a listener question that highlights two very different—but equally important—play therapy dynamics. One child clings...

329 | Art of the Session: Empowerment Through Choice Giving

19 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Art of the Session series, I focus on the second pillar of CCPT: choice giving. While limit-setting often leads to enforcement ...

328 | When They Want It Left Just the Way It Was - Permanence Response in CCPT

14 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I respond to a listener question about how to handle situations where children want their creations or work in the playroom to remain...

327 | Art of the Session: Reflecting Feelings with Effectiveness and Precision in CCPT

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Art of the Session series, I walk through one of the most important and most underutilized CCPT skills: reflecting feelings. De...

326 | Setting Up for Success: HTP Assessments and the Glue Dilemma in CCPT

07 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this Q&A episode, I answer two questions from Mara in North Carolina—one about the House-Tree-Person drawing assessment and one about the use of ...

325 | Art of the Session: Why Reflecting Content Keeps You Engaged Without Taking Over

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Art of the Session series, I focus on the skill of Reflecting Content—what it is, when to use it, and how to do it well. Refl...

324 | Art of the Session: Tracking Behavior—The Skill You Can Always Use In Any Given Moment

29 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Art of the Session series, I focus on one of the most foundational yet misunderstood CCPT skills: tracking behavior. I explain ...

323 | What to Do When Time Is Up But the Child Isn't Regulated Yet

25 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I respond to a question from Crystal, a school-based clinician in Minnesota, about how to end sessions when a child is emotionally dy...

322 | Art of the Session: The CCPT Therapist's Shortlist—11 Responses That Work In Any Given Moment In A Session

22 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this Art of the Session episode, I walk through one of the most empowering and clarifying truths about CCPT: there's a finite list of responses we ...

321 | Managing Repetitive, Attention-Seeking Behaviors in the Playroom: Staying Neutral in CCPT

18 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I answer a unique and surprisingly common question from Zoe in Texas: what do you do when a child in CCPT is consistently farting in ...

320 | Art of the Session: The Exact Words You Say When Entering the Playroom

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Art of the Session series, I focus on a key moment that sets the tone for every CCPT session: the exact phrase you say when ent...

319 | Art of the Session: Empowerment on the Way to the Playroom

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Art of the Session series, I walk you through a phase of the play therapy process that's often overlooked—what happens on the...

318 | Mastering CPRT Announcement + Q&A: CCPT Termination Criteria (How to Know When a Child Is Truly Ready)

07 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Mastering CPRT is open for registration - go to playtherapynow.com and use the code "CPRT100" to get $100 off for 10 days. It goes up to full price af...

317 | CCPT with Tweens: Navigating the Shift from Play to Conversation

04 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I respond to a thoughtful question from Dearbhla in Ireland about working with a 12-year-old client who prefers to talk rather than e...

316 | When Parents Join the Session: Why It Compromises the CCPT Model

03 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I answer a question from Hope in Kentucky about incorporating parents into the CCPT process. Her case involved a foster mom participa...

315 | Theoretical Integrity in Play Therapy: Why One Model Matters (The Case Against Integrative Play Therapy)

02 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I respond to a thoughtful question from Cassie in North Carolina about integrative play therapy and the belief that there's no "one s...

314 | Art of the Session: What Happens in the Lobby Matters Too

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Art of the Session summer series, I talk about one of the most overlooked parts of the CCPT process—our relationship with par...

313 | Art of the Session: Setting Up the CCPT Playroom With Purpose and Integrity

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this first episode of the Art of the Session summer series, I walk through one of the most essential components of effective CCPT work: the playroo...

312 | CCPT Mindset: The Final Mindset Shift…From Doing CCPT to Being CCPT

20 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this final episode of the CCPT Mindset series, I wrap up with one of the most foundational shifts we must make as child-centered play therapists: m...

311 | Two Questions, One Answer: Trust the Process in Child-Centered Play Therapy

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I answer two great questions from Joy in Maryland. First, we talk about kids who spend most of their session playing with slime. I ex...

310 | CCPT With Toddlers and Preschoolers: What Changes and What Doesn't

13 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I respond to a question from Mara in North Carolina—and a handful of other listeners—about working with very young children in Ch...

309 | CCPT Mindset: When Progress Anxiety Undermines the Model

11 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I continue the CCPT Mindset series with a deep dive into something we all wrestle with at some point: progress anxiety. As child-cent...

308 | Toileting Battles and the Need for Power: CCPT Parent Coaching

06 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I respond to a question from Rachel in Missouri about a 5½-year-old client who refuses to poop in the toilet and insists on using a ...