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You can have the most beautiful playroom… the best toys… even strong rapport…

But if you’re not assessing what’s actually happening beneath the play, you might be missing the very thing your client needs most.

In this episode of Next Level Play Therapy, we’re breaking down one of the most overlooked (and misunderstood) skills in play therapy: assessment—and why it directly impacts your case conceptualization, treatment planning, and outcomes.

If you’ve ever wondered:
→ “How do I know if play therapy is actually working?”
→ “What are kids really communicating through their play?”
→ “Do I need formal assessment tools to be effective?”

This conversation will shift how you see your role as a play therapist—moving you from guessing… to grounded clinical clarity.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

✔ The difference between formal vs. informal assessment in play therapy—and when each matters
✔ Why assessment isn’t a one-time event (and how it evolves across the entire treatment process)
✔ How your theoretical model shapes what you notice—and what you might be missing
✔ The connection between assessment → case conceptualization → treatment decisions
✔ How to identify the root causes behind behaviors like tantrums, emotional dysregulation, and oppositional patterns
✔ When to refer for standardized assessments (and why missing this step can stall progress)

WHY THIS MATTERS:

Without clear assessment, play therapy can easily become a collection of play therapy activities instead of a targeted, theory-driven process.

Because here’s the truth…

Two children can present with the exact same behavior—
…but have completely different underlying needs.

And if you’re treating the behavior instead of the root?

You’ll feel stuck.
Your clients will plateau.
And that quiet voice of self-doubt starts creeping in.

Assessment is what turns you into a clinical detective—helping you understand not just what is happening… but why.

🌱 READY TO GO DEEPER?

If you’re ready to stop second-guessing and start practicing with confidence, check out my course:

👉 Getting Grounded in Play Therapy Case Conceptualization
Learn the core skills every play therapist needs to build a strong clinical framework and create meaningful, lasting change.

🔗 Explore here: https://www.rhplaytherapytraining.com/courses/case-conceptualization

👉 Want support from a community of like-minded play therapists? I have two types of memberships depending on your needs.  Here’s the link for more information about Play Therapy Academy and Play Therapy Elevation CIRCLE: https://www.rhplaytherapytraining.com/supervision

Join my free Facebook Community Play and Expressive Arts Therapy Playground.

Check out my free resources for mental health professionals working with children, adolescents, and families who want to integrate play therapy and expressive arts into their clinical work.

I work with individuals and agencies to develop successful strategies and meet the treatment needs of your child and adolescent clients and their families using play therapy & expressive arts.

Contact me to schedule a free 30-minute video call if you're ready to level up your skills