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 child who brings schoolwork and homework into session. I discuss why children often bring meaningful objects from their lives outside the playroom and why those items can serve important purposes, including self-soothing, safety, connection, and communication. Rather than focusing on whether an item is traditionally considered a "play therapy toy," I encourage therapists to consider the deeper significance of why the child chose to bring it and what need it may be meeting in that moment. I also share my perspective on children reading books, completing homework, or engaging in other nontraditional activities during session. When we truly trust the child and trust the process, we recognize that every choice the child makes is meaningful and necessary for their therapeutic journey. Whether a child spends the session playing, reading, coloring, doing homework, sitting quietly, or simply being present, our role remains the same: provide acceptance, reflect the child's experience, and honor their autonomy. I also discuss how to navigate parent reactions when a child's choices in session don't align with adult expectations and why setting clear expectations with parents is a critical part of supporting the therapeutic process. New Resource for Play Therapists: The Parent Companion for Play Therapy is now available at author pricing for therapists. Created specifically to help parents better understand the child-centered play therapy process, this book is designed to support parent engagement, improve buy-in, and reduce attrition throughout the therapeutic journey. As a listener of the Play Therapy Podcast, you can order a copy for just $8 (our cost plus shipping). Click here to order your author-priced copy. ** Limit 1 per therapist, offer valid in the Continental U.S. only. 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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