In this episode, I answer a question from a new CCPT therapist who wonders whether a child who quietly builds with Legos session after session is really doing therapeutic work. When play seems repetitive, surface-level, or disconnected from the child's personal life, it's easy to question whether meaningful progress is being made. I explain why narration, predictable play, and even seemingly simple activities can be important parts of the therapeutic process, especially early in treatment. Rather than looking for deeper themes before the child is ready, I encourage therapists to trust that every aspect of a child's play has purpose and value.

I also discuss the difference between symbolic play and thematic play, why not all play is thematic, and how our own desire to understand or "figure out" the play can interfere with true child-centered practice. This episode is a reminder that we don't have to rush children toward deeper work or ask questions to move therapy forward. Our role is to remain fully accepting, trust the process, and believe that children will naturally work on what they need in their own way and in their own time.

New Live Training Events Announced: Indiana, New Jersey & Tampa dates are locked in and registration is open for Indiana. Go to iamccpt.live for more information.

Podcast Meetups! Come hang out with me. I'm hosting casual Play Therapy Podcast listener meetups in Denver and Seattle on Aug. 4th and 6th. I'd love to connect with you in person! Learn more and RSVP at https://www.playtherapypodcast.com/meetup/

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.

Order copies for your practice and save with discounted bulk pricing. Bulk ordering makes it easy to place Parent Companion for Play Therapy directly into the hands of the parents you serve.

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.