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 through the reality that while children often absorb what they are around, their growth in CCPT is not dependent on their parent "fixing" themselves first. The child will continue to move toward self-actualization through the relationship and the playroom, even when the environment isn't ideal. At the same time, I offer an important perspective on the role of the parent in that process. I explain why we have to be very intentional in how we work with parents—focusing less on overwhelming them with skills and more on setting them up for success with small, manageable steps. I also share why encouraging parents to pursue their own therapy is so valuable, and how a parent's willingness to grow can significantly impact the overall outcome for the child. Finally, I walk through a powerful illustration of what happens when a child is doing the work in therapy but the parent remains unchanged. While progress still occurs, there can be a limit to how far that growth can go. The best outcomes happen when both the child and the parent are moving toward each other—each doing their own work. This episode is a reminder that while we can't control a child's environment, we can trust the process of CCPT and continue to support both the child and the parent in meaningful, realistic ways. 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.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

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