In this episode, Lisa sits down with Dave Hompes, renowned author, nutritionist, and functional medicine practitioner, to explore the fascinating connection between the mind and body.

Together, they dive into how mental health and physical symptoms are intertwined—looking at everything from nutrition and genetics to environmental influences and the stories people tell about their bodies. Dave shares insights from cases involving epilepsy, Autism Spectrum, Tourette syndrome, and more, helping therapists recognize subtle clues that point to mind-body correlations.

This conversation invites clinicians to expand their lens, asking the right questions, noticing patterns beyond lab results, and integrating a holistic perspective into their work.

Prepare to rethink mental health through the lens of the body—and discover how awareness of these connections can transform the way we support clients.

Original Air Date: March 5, 2024

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.

Emotional flooding is inevitable; it's part of relationship. It's not about shame, but connection—providing a platform upon which real repair can flourish. – Lisa Dion

In this episode, Lisa explores emotional flooding from the therapist's perspective and why finding ourselves outside our window of tolerance is not a failure—but a natural part of relational work.

Through a nervous-system-informed lens, Lisa reframes emotional flooding as meaningful information rather than something to avoid or fix. When approached with curiosity, attunement, and repair, these moments of rawness can deepen authenticity, strengthen the therapeutic relationship, and create powerful opportunities for healing.

This conversation invites therapists to release shame, embrace humanity, and see emotional flooding as an ally in the work—both in the playroom and within themselves.

Original Air Date: March 6, 2019

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.

"The more we try to avoid conflict, the more it shows up in our life." – Lisa Dion

Why does conflict feel so uncomfortable—and why do we work so hard to avoid it?

In this episode of Lessons from the Playroom, Lisa Dion explores why conflict is not a sign that something has gone wrong, but a necessary part of growth and relational depth. Through a nervous-system-informed lens, she unpacks what happens internally when conflict arises and how our responses are shaped by regulation, protection, and connection.

This conversation invites therapists to develop a different relationship with conflict—one that begins within ourselves and extends into our work with clients, families, and colleagues, both in and out of the playroom.

Original Air Date: September 7, 2020

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.

Re-airing in honor of the International Week of Play Therapy.

In this special episode Lisa is joined by Amit Chintan Ramlall and his father, Dr. Kumar Ramlall, for a powerful conversation about autism, identity, and the transformative impact of assuming competence.

Amit shares his lived experience of navigating Autism Spectrum Disorder and how embracing his strengths—rather than being defined by limitations—opened pathways to purpose, contribution, and connection. Together, they explore common misconceptions about autism, the importance of meeting clients where they are, and how curiosity and humility create space for genuine therapeutic relationship.

This episode invites therapists to reconsider assumptions about neuroplasticity, sensory experiences, and communication, while offering a profound reminder of the untapped potential that exists within every individual.

Assume competence—there's always more to uncover.

Language note: While many Autistic individuals prefer identity-first language, Amit prefers person-first language, which is honored throughout this conversation.

***For a transcript of this episode, please visit our website at synergeticplaytherapy.com.

Original Air Date: April 2, 2024

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.

PANS and PANDAS are among the most misunderstood—and frequently requested—topics in the therapy world. In this episode, Lisa is joined by Dr. Montserrat Casado for a thoughtful, compassionate conversation on how these conditions impact children, families, and the therapeutic process.

Together, they explore what PANS/PANDAS are, how immune responses and brain inflammation affect behavior and nervous system regulation, and why symptoms such as OCD, rage, regression, and restrictive eating require a broader, integrative lens. Dr. Casado also shares her personal journey and decade-long commitment to educating clinicians on how to support children and caregivers navigating these complex challenges.

This episode offers clarity, context, and hope—inviting therapists to deepen their understanding, support attachment and regulation, and bring a more informed, systemic approach to their work with children affected by PANS/PANDAS.

Original Air Date: March 19, 2024

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.

"It is a sparkling thing when I encounter realness of another person… When this happens, I leap to meet it." – Carl Rogers

Carl Rogers is one of the most influential—and often misunderstood—figures in psychology. In this episode, Lisa returns to Rogers' own words and teachings to explore what he was truly inviting clinicians to embody.

Through a nervous-system-informed lens, this conversation highlights how authenticity, presence, and self-acceptance create the conditions for felt safety and relational connection. Lisa explores why Rogers' emphasis on "realness" isn't just philosophical—it's deeply regulatory, shaping how clients experience safety, attunement, and healing in the therapeutic relationship.

Some of what emerges may challenge what you thought you knew about Rogers and deepen how you understand the embodied foundations of effective therapy.

Original Air Date: April 3, 2019

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.

What does play therapy look like beyond childhood?

In this episode, Lisa is joined by Tara McDonald and Karen O'Neill of PIP Solutions UK to explore how play therapy can support healing across the lifespan. Together, they discuss how play adapts from infancy through adulthood, the importance of creating safety around play for older clients, and the powerful role of symbolic repair in psychotherapy.

This conversation invites clinicians to expand their understanding of play, embrace developmentally responsive approaches, and recognize the healing potential of play at any age.

✨ Tara and Karen will also be hosting Lisa for a 3-day in-person Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy program in October 2026 in Solihull, UK. https://pipsolutions.co.uk/courses/an-introduction-to-synergetic-play-therapy/

Original Air Date: February 20, 2024

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.

"The dysregulation in our body is information about the congruency of our decisions." – Lisa Dion

How do you know if a decision is truly aligned with who you are?

In this episode, Lisa explores how our nervous system offers critical information about the congruency of our choices. Moving beyond logic alone, you're invited to integrate left-brain reasoning with right-brain awareness to make decisions that feel grounded, authentic, and whole in this New Year.

This episode isn't just about therapy—it's about learning how to plan, reflect, and choose in ways that honor both the mind and the body. Lisa unpacks how to recognize when a decision is aligned, why discomfort doesn't automatically mean something is wrong, and how releasing the idea of "good" or "bad" decisions can open the door to greater clarity and self-trust.

Original Air Date: January 5, 2021

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.

Original Air Date: June 12, 2019

"When it comes to giftedness, one of the most important things to focus on is how these children manage their internal worlds." – Lisa Dion

Gifted children are undeniably bright, but their intellectual abilities come with unique emotional and regulatory challenges. In this episode, Lisa Dion explores the nuances of working with gifted children in play therapy, highlighting how self-imposed high standards, perfectionism, and intense inner expectations can lead to boredom, frustration, or anxiety.

What You'll Learn:

• How gifted children differ from highly intelligent children in their emotional and regulatory needs
• The impact of self-imposed standards on their emotional well-being
• Strategies to help gifted children navigate and manage their internal worlds
• Practical ways to support creativity, curiosity, and self-regulation in the playroom

Tune in for insights and practical approaches to help gifted children thrive emotionally, socially, and intellectually, while honoring their unique inner experiences.

Additional Resources:

💜 Learn more about Synergetic Play Therapy: Visit our website for courses, resources, and certification opportunities

📚 Explore Our Books and Read Aggression in Play Therapy

✨ SPT Foundation: Learn more about its mission, team, and initiatives

🔗 Follow us on Instagram

🔗 Find us on Facebook

Original Air Date: May 29, 2019

"Every family has both peace and war, dysregulation and regulation, support and challenge." – Lisa Dion

Parents often wish for a home without arguments, but sibling rivalry is an inevitable—and often valuable—part of childhood. In this episode, Lisa Dion explores how conflicts between siblings can be opportunities for learning, growth, and empowerment.

What You'll Learn:

• Why disagreement is a natural and important part of sibling relationships
• How conflicts can foster emotional regulation, problem-solving, and resilience
• Strategies to support children in navigating sibling dynamics without taking sides
• Ways to help families embrace both harmony and healthy conflict as part of a balanced household

Tune in to gain insight into the sibling dynamic and learn how to turn inevitable conflicts into meaningful opportunities for development and connection.

Additional Resources:

💜 Learn more about Synergetic Play Therapy: Visit our website for courses, resources, and certification opportunities

📚 Explore Our Books and Read Aggression in Play Therapy

✨ SPT Foundation: Learn more about its mission, team, and initiatives

🔗 Follow us on Instagram

🔗 Find us on Facebook