In this episode, I answer a question from a mom who realizes that screens have gradually become a major part of her children's daily lives and now wants to make a change. I talk about what to expect when you begin reducing screen time, why children may push back so strongly, and how to use child-centered parenting skills like reflecting feelings, setting limits, giving choices, and encouragement to help them through the transition. I also explain how to talk with children about screen limits in a way they can understand. Rather than arguing about whether screens are "good" or "bad," I encourage parents to return to a simple message: it is our job to keep our children safe. Changing long-established screen habits may not be easy, but once we know more, we can make different choices—and we can confidently hold boundaries that protect our children's developing brains. Ask Me Questions: Call <a href= "tel:18138125525">(813) 812-5525</a>, or email: <a href= "mailto:brenna@thekidcounselor.com">brenna@thekidcounselor.com</a> My New Book! Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Want to go deeper into the concepts discussed in this series? Check out Parent Companion for Play Therapy, created to help parents better understand their child, the play therapy process, and how lasting emotional growth takes place. <a href= "https://www.amazon.com/Parent-Companion-Play-Therapy-Understanding/dp/B0H2D98F18/" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">https://www.amazon.com/Parent-Companion-Play-Therapy-Understanding/dp/B0H2D98F18/</a> My First Book: Device Detox: A Parent's Guide To Reducing Usage, Preventing Tantrums, And Raising Happier Kids <a href="https://a.co/d/bThnKH9" target="_blank" rel= "noopener">https://a.co/d/bThnKH9</a> Podcast HQ: <a href="https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/</a> My Newsletter Signup: <a href="https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/" target= "_blank" rel= "noopener">https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/</a> My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: <a href="https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/" target= "_blank" rel= "noopener">https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/</a> Common References: 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.

In this episode, I answer a question from a mom who realizes that screens have gradually become a major part of her children's daily lives and now wants to make a change. I talk about what to expect when you begin reducing screen time, why children may push back so strongly, and how to use child-centered parenting skills like reflecting feelings, setting limits, giving choices, and encouragement to help them through the transition. I also explain how to talk with children about screen limits in a way they can understand. Rather than arguing about whether screens are "good" or "bad," I encourage parents to return to a simple message: it is our job to keep our children safe. Changing long-established screen habits may not be easy, but once we know more, we can make different choices—and we can confidently hold boundaries that protect our children's developing brains. Ask Me Questions: Call (813) 812-5525, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com My New Book! Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Want to go deeper into the concepts discussed in this series? Check out Parent Companion for Play Therapy, created to help parents better understand their child, the play therapy process, and how lasting emotional growth takes place. https://www.amazon.com/Parent-Companion-Play-Therapy-Understanding/dp/B0H2D98F18/ My First Book: Device Detox: A Parent's Guide To Reducing Usage, Preventing Tantrums, And Raising Happier Kids https://a.co/d/bThnKH9 Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/ My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/ My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/ Common References: 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.

In this episode, I answer a question from a mom who realizes that screens have gradually become a major part of her children's daily lives and now wants to make a change. I talk about what to expect when you begin reducing screen time, why children may push back so strongly, and how to use child-centered parenting skills like reflecting feelings, setting limits, giving choices, and encouragement to help them through the transition. I also explain how to talk with children about screen limits in a way they can understand. Rather than arguing about whether screens are "good" or "bad," I encourage parents to return to a simple message: it is our job to keep our children safe. Changing long-established screen habits may not be easy, but once we know more, we can make different choices—and we can confidently hold boundaries that protect our children's developing brains. Ask Me Questions: Call <a href="tel:18138125525" rel="noopener noreferrer">(813) 812-5525</a>, or email: <a href="mailto:brenna@thekidcounselor.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">brenna@thekidcounselor.com</a> My New Book! Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Want to go deeper into the concepts discussed in this series? Check out Parent Companion for Play Therapy, created to help parents better understand their child, the play therapy process, and how lasting emotional growth takes place. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Parent-Companion-Play-Therapy-Understanding/dp/B0H2D98F18/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.amazon.com/Parent-Companion-Play-Therapy-Understanding/dp/B0H2D98F18/</a> My First Book: Device Detox: A Parent's Guide To Reducing Usage, Preventing Tantrums, And Raising Happier Kids <a href="https://a.co/d/bThnKH9" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://a.co/d/bThnKH9</a> Podcast HQ: <a href="https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/</a> My Newsletter Signup: <a href="https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/</a> My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: <a href="https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/</a> Common References: Landreth, G.L. (2023). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship (4th ed.). Routledge. Landreth, G.L., &amp; Bratton, S.C. (2019). Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT): An Evidence-Based 10-Session Filial Therapy Model (2nd ed.). Routledge.

S4E12 - How Do I Reduce My Child's Screen Time Without Constant Battles?

The four "Pillars" of Play Therapy are the foundational skills that Play Therapy is built on. Dr. Brenna Hicks gives an overview and examples for each of these skills. This video is foundational training for any parent looking to add Play Therapy skills to their parenting "tool box". 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. (2002). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (2nd ed.). Brunner-Routledge. Bratton, S. C., Landreth, G. L., Kellam, T., & Blackard, S. R. (2006). Child parent relationship therapy (CPRT) treatment manual: A 10-session filial therapy model for training parents. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group. Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

The four "Pillars" of Play Therapy are the foundational skills that Play Therapy is built on. Dr. Brenna Hicks gives an overview and examples for each of these skills. This video is foundational training for any parent looking to add Play Therapy skills to their parenting "tool box". 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. (2002). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (2nd ed.). Brunner-Routledge. Bratton, S. C., Landreth, G. L., Kellam, T., & Blackard, S. R. (2006). Child parent relationship therapy (CPRT) treatment manual: A 10-session filial therapy model for training parents. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group. Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

The four "Pillars" of Play Therapy are the foundational skills that Play Therapy is built on. Dr. Brenna Hicks gives an overview and examples for each of these skills. This video is foundational training for any parent looking to add Play Therapy skills to their parenting "tool box". References: Cochran, N., Nordling, W., &amp; Cochran, J. (2010). Child-Centered Play Therapy (1st ed.). Wiley. VanFleet, R., Sywulak, A. E., &amp; Sniscak, C. C. (2010). Child-centered play therapy. Guilford Press. Landreth, G. L. (2002). Play therapy: The art of the relationship (2nd ed.). Brunner-Routledge. Bratton, S. C., Landreth, G. L., Kellam, T., &amp; Blackard, S. R. (2006). Child parent relationship therapy (CPRT) treatment manual: A 10-session filial therapy model for training parents. Routledge/Taylor &amp; Francis Group. Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

The Four "Pillars" of Play Therapy

In this episode of Play Therapy Parenting Podcast, Dr. Brenna Hicks talks about the play therapy skill, reflecting feelings, and why it's okay for parents to simply reflect a child's feeling back to them, and then stop! We tend to want to solve problems for our kids, or try to make our kids feel better, when sometimes, simply "sitting" in the child's emotion is what they need more.

All Feelings Are Valid

Parenting can be confusing—especially when you're dealing with tantrums, anxiety, aggression, emotional outbursts, sibling conflict, ADHD concerns, school struggles, or behavior that just doesn't make sense.

On the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast, child therapist Dr. Brenna Hicks answers real parenting questions and helps you understand what's really going on beneath your child's behavior. Each episode provides practical insight into emotions, development, behavior, and the parent-child relationship so you can respond with greater confidence and connection.

No gimmicks. No parenting hacks. No Ads! Just straightforward guidance from over two decades of working with children and families.

Parenting

Kids & Family

Parenting can be confusing—especially when you're dealing with tantrums, anxiety, aggression, emotional outbursts, sibling conflict, ADHD concerns, school struggles, or behavior that just doesn't make sense. On the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast, child therapist Dr. Brenna Hicks answers real parenting questions and helps you understand what's really going on beneath your child's behavior. Each episode provides practical insight into emotions, development, behavior, and the parent-child relationship so you can respond with greater confidence and connection. No gimmicks. No parenting hacks. No Ads! Just straightforward guidance from over two decades of working with children and families.

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