Lisa is back to answer more of your burning questions! And this time, we’re diving deep into the world of teens, one of the most complex and rewarding populations to work with in the playroom. 

In this episode, Lisa addresses 3 thought-provoking questions submitted by listeners, shedding light on adolescents' nuanced and sometimes perplexing behaviors.

Karen asks: "What do you do when a teen doesn’t want to engage or say anything?"

Lisa explores multiple angles to approach this challenge and offers insights into how to keep the relational connection alive, even when words are few.

Sorina wonders: "How do you handle it when tweens repeatedly ask when the session can be done or if they can be done with therapy (parent wants them in therapy)?"

Lisa explores how to respond to these moments and how to create a space that aligns with a teen's unique needs and interests, even when those interests clash with their parents’.

Mary asks: "What do you say when a 17-year-old autistic teen is showing you their video game. You don’t understand something and you ask them a question. Their response is, 'That is the dumbest question anyone could ever ask'?"

Lisa shares how to handle these tricky situations and turn them into opportunities for deeper understanding and connection, using key concepts from Synergetic Play Therapy.

Join us for a rich discussion filled with insights, strategies, and reminders on how to connect with and support teens in a meaningful way. 

*We appreciate your questions and encourage you to keep them coming! If you have a question or a scenario you’d like Lisa to discuss, email us at [email protected], or better yet, send an audio clip of your question. Your questions help us all grow and learn together in this beautiful journey of play therapy.

Podcast Resources: 

• Synergetic Play Therapy Institute
• Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website
• FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey 
• Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity

* If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and invite your friends/fellow colleagues to join us.