Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy

In this episode, I take a deeper look at one of the most foundational principles of child-centered play therapy: unconditional acceptance. We talk about it constantly, and most of us would say we wholeheartedly believe in it. But what does it actually look like when a child screams at us for an entire session, refuses to come out from behind the puppet theater, repeatedly tests limits, or does something that makes us genuinely uncomfortable? I explain why unconditional acceptance is much more than a philosophical belief. It requires us to examine our own reactions, recognize when our discomfort is influencing our behavior, and do the personal work necessary to remain neutral and accepting regardless of what the child brings into the playroom.

I also share a practical way to evaluate whether we're truly demonstrating unconditional acceptance: Have I communicated, verbally or nonverbally, that I would prefer the child to be doing something different? Our tone, facial expressions, body language, and even subtle changes in enthusiasm can communicate conditional acceptance without us ever saying a word. I challenge therapists to consider whether their acceptance remains the same when a child is quiet, messy, resistant, angry, or simply doing something we find boring. The heart of CCPT is communicating that the child is accepted exactly as they are, in that moment, without needing to change anything to earn our approval. That's what it means to truly embody the model and live out the Be With Attitudes.

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!

2nd Annual CCPT: The Field of Dreams Conference January 30-31st, 2027. Go to iamccpt.live for more information.

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.

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

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. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315537948

Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

In this episode, I answer a question about a seven-year-old girl whose play has become increasingly focused on romantic relationships and sexual themes. When a child begins acting out kissing, adult relationships, or other behaviors that make us uncomfortable, how do we respond while remaining faithful to the CCPT model? I explain why children sometimes use play to process things they've been exposed to but aren't developmentally equipped to understand. Rather than assuming something inappropriate has happened or trying to interpret the play, we need to recognize that the child is bringing this into the therapeutic relationship for a reason. If the behavior doesn't warrant a limit based on safety or protecting property, our responsibility is to allow the play to continue.

I also explore what happens when our own discomfort begins influencing our clinical decisions. In this case, the therapist acknowledged that she became uncomfortable, set an unnecessary limit, and ultimately redirected the child's play. I explain why these moments are opportunities for self-examination rather than self-criticism. What was happening internally that made it difficult to remain accepting? Why did we feel compelled to intervene? CCPT requires us to continually examine our own reactions so they don't interfere with the child's process. We don't have to understand, enjoy, or feel comfortable with everything that happens in the playroom. We do have to trust the child, trust the model, and remain committed to unconditional acceptance—even when the play challenges us.

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!

2nd Annual CCPT: The Field of Dreams Conference January 30-31st, 2027. Go to iamccpt.live for more information.

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.

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

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. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315537948

Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

In this episode, I explore a fascinating concept that helps explain why child-centered play therapy is so powerful in shaping a child's identity: **the Looking Glass Self**. Originally introduced by sociologist Charles Cooley, this concept suggests that we develop our sense of who we are through the messages and perceptions reflected back to us by others. For children, those messages aren't always positive. Whether they're repeatedly told they're difficult, incapable, too young, or not good enough, those experiences can become part of how they see themselves. I explain how these external messages influence a child's developing self-concept and why the formative years are especially important.

I also discuss how CCPT offers children something they may rarely experience elsewhere: a relationship and environment that reflect an entirely different view of who they are. Through unconditional acceptance, empathy, encouragement, and trust, children begin to see themselves as capable, competent, and worthy. I connect the Looking Glass Self to Rogers' person-centered theory, the ideal versus actual self, and the self-fulfilling prophecy to illustrate how children can begin to redefine their identity through the therapeutic relationship. This is also a valuable concept to share with parents because it helps explain how CCPT creates meaningful, lasting change in the way children see themselves.

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!

2nd Annual CCPT: The Field of Dreams Conference January 30-31st, 2027. Go to iamccpt.live for more information.

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.

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

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. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315537948

Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

In this episode, I answer a question from a therapist in Hong Kong about how to help parents talk to their children about an autism diagnosis. When a child begins noticing that they receive extra support at school or experience the world differently from their peers, should parents explain the diagnosis? And how can they do that without making the child feel that something is wrong with them? I explain why children deserve age-appropriate truth about things that directly affect their lives, and why withholding important information can damage trust in the parent-child relationship. Children are often far more perceptive than we give them credit for, and when they don't understand why they're different, they may begin blaming themselves for their struggles.

I also share practical guidance for helping parents have these conversations without overexplaining, overwhelming the child, or allowing a diagnosis to become their identity. Simple, honest explanations about how a child's brain works differently can provide the understanding they need while leaving room for questions as they arise. I also discuss why we need to be cautious about accepting every childhood diagnosis at face value, particularly ADHD, and why I believe a thorough understanding of the whole child is essential before introducing a label that may follow them for years. Ultimately, our role as CCPTs is to help parents communicate truthfully, protect their relationship with their child, and ensure that a diagnosis provides understanding rather than defining who the child is.

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!

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.

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

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. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315537948

Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

In this episode, I answer a question about one of the more delicate aspects of child-centered play therapy: how do we protect a child's confidentiality while reassuring parents who are worried about being kept in the dark? When a child shares something significant with their therapist but hasn't told their parents, it's understandable that parents may feel hurt, confused, or concerned. I explain why we need to establish clear expectations from the very beginning about what we can and cannot disclose, including the distinction between discussing broad themes and progress versus revealing the specific details of a child's play or conversations. I also address mandatory reporting and how I approach communicating with parents when a report is required.

I also explore something that can completely change the way parents understand confidentiality: children often withhold information because they're trying to protect the people they love. When children sense that their sadness, fear, anger, or anxiety might overwhelm a parent, they may choose not to share those feelings. As therapists, our neutrality allows children to be vulnerable without worrying about how their emotions will affect us. I share how explaining this dynamic to parents can shift their perspective from feeling excluded or betrayed to appreciating that their child has a safe relationship where they can express what they may not yet feel comfortable sharing at home. Ultimately, protecting confidentiality isn't about keeping secrets from parents—it's about preserving the therapeutic relationship while continuing to partner with families.

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!

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.

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

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. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315537948

Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

In this episode, I return to the topic of limit setting, but this time I'm focusing on something even more foundational than the ACT process itself: trust. Drawing from a powerful email from a fellow CCPT and passages from Landreth's Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship, I explore how our underlying beliefs about children influence every decision we make in the playroom. Do we genuinely believe children are capable, competent, and trustworthy? Or do our reactions, expectations, and anxieties communicate that we don't actually trust them? I explain why limit setting is not simply about establishing boundaries, but about giving children opportunities to experience self-control, responsibility, and the power of their own choices.

I also unpack Landreth's reminder that limits should be delivered calmly, patiently, and with a genuine belief that the child can respond responsibly. When we rush to intervene, become visibly anxious, or try to control the outcome, we may unintentionally communicate that we expect the child to fail. Instead, I challenge therapists to make a deliberate choice to trust children, even when their behavior makes that difficult. Sometimes the most important thing we can do is remain calm, maintain the necessary boundaries, and allow the child to work through the moment. Trust isn't simply something we feel—it's something we choose to demonstrate. And that choice has the power to transform both our clinical practice and the child's experience of the therapeutic relationship.

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!

New Live Training Events Announced: New Jersey registration is open for only a few more days! Go to iamccpt.live for more information.

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.

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

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. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315537948

Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

In this episode, I answer a question about the growing use of artificial intelligence in therapy, particularly AI tools that record sessions and automatically generate clinical notes. As more employers encourage therapists to adopt these technologies, I explore the ethical concerns surrounding confidentiality, informed consent, data security, and the child's ability to understand what is being recorded and how that information might be used. I explain why parental consent doesn't necessarily resolve these concerns and why we need to carefully consider whether the convenience AI offers therapists justifies the potential risks to children.

I also discuss a concern that is particularly important for CCPT: children communicate through their play, not primarily through conversation. An AI-generated transcript cannot adequately capture the symbolic and thematic significance of what happens in the playroom, and therapists may inadvertently begin changing their reflective responses to provide the AI with more context. That creates a direct threat to fidelity and adherence. Ultimately, I challenge therapists to consider whether AI belongs in the playroom at all. Just because technology makes something possible doesn't mean it is appropriate, necessary, or beneficial to the therapeutic process.

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!

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

New Podcast Meetup: Scotch Plains, New Jersey. October 18th, 2026 @ 11am (local time). Go to https://iamccpt.live/meetup/ for more information.

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.

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

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. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315537948

Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

In this episode, I focus on a deceptively simple part of what it means to let the child lead in child-centered play therapy: the floor belongs to the child. Landreth is clear that when therapists automatically sit on the floor, children may interpret that as an expectation that we want to be included in their play—even when they never intended to invite us. I explain why we should begin each session in a consistent place off the floor and wait for the child to invite us into that space. The floor is the child's territory, and respecting that boundary preserves their autonomy and keeps us from subtly influencing where their play goes.

I also explain why I advocate for a low, rolling, spinning chair or stool in the CCPT playroom. It allows us to remain physically close, engaged, mobile, and at the child's level without inserting ourselves into their space. When the child says, "Come sit here," hands us a puppet, or assigns us a role, we absolutely join them—but participation happens at the child's direction or invitation. This is one of those small details of CCPT that reveals just how intentional the model really is: letting the child lead includes allowing the child to decide when we enter their world.

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!

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

New Podcast Meetup: Scotch Plains, New Jersey. October 18th, 2026 @ 11am (local time). Go to https://iamccpt.live/meetup/ for more information.

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.

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

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. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315537948

Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

In this episode, I answer a question about a familiar playroom dynamic: the child who constantly wants the therapist to guess. "Guess what I ate for lunch." "Guess what I built." "You have three guesses for what I did yesterday." I explain why these interactions can serve several different purposes, including connection, self-esteem, and power and control. In this particular case, the child's insistence on making the therapist guess appears largely driven by the experience of knowing something the therapist doesn't know—giving the child temporary power, control, and authority within the relationship.

I also walk through the delicate CCPT dance of responding without either immediately playing the guessing game or awkwardly refusing to engage. Simply reflecting over and over can create a reverse power struggle, so I share practical ways to "hem and haw," ask for clues, engage enough to honor the child's need, and—when necessary—offer a reasonable guess without taking over the interaction. This is one of those nuanced moments where adherence isn't about mechanically applying a skill; it's about understanding the why behind the child's behavior and responding in a way that remains genuinely child-centered.

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!

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

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.

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

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. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315537948

Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.

In this episode, I continue last week's conversation about ultimate limits by focusing on a piece I think we often miss: an ultimate limit is still a choice. Landreth tells us to move through the limit-setting process at least three times before considering an ultimate limit—but "three" is not a rigid rule. Sometimes a child may need five, seven, or even more opportunities to wrestle with the choice. Our job is not to rush the process or force compliance. We provide the boundary, remain patient, and give the child the time and space to choose what happens next.

I also explain why an ultimate limit should never feel like punishment, discipline, or the therapist finally saying, "That's enough." If a child chooses to lose access to the Nerf gun, sand tray, or another item, we calmly acknowledge that choice, remove the item, and return to the session with the same warmth and unconditional acceptance we had before. Our words, tone, facial expression, and body language all matter because we aren't taking something away—the child is experiencing the outcome of their own choice. Limit testing isn't something to resent; it's meaningful therapeutic work through which children develop self-control, regulation, responsibility, and an understanding of consequences.

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!

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

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.

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

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. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315537948

Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.