Playful Beginnings

Setting goals in CCPT can be daunting- you need to ensure that you are being concrete, aligned in the needs of the client, taking into consideration the child, the family, the additional stake holders. And you also have to ensure that theory is evident. Drs. Kristie and Maggie explore this and more in this episode! Listen now!

Hello fellow play therapists! What a wonderful and rejuvenating time we had at this year's Association for Play Therapy Conference! In this episode, Drs. Kristie and Maggie break down what they learned from the many presentations they attended and lead! We talk about the key note with Dr. Rebecca Chow, Dr. Anne Stewart, and Dr. Ahou Line. We explore the amazing presentation and call to action with Drs. Kristi Perryman and Rick Gaskill. Dr. Lakaavia Taylor's insightful presentation on supporting and understanding Black children in the playroom, and many many more! We even discuss our own presentations, which we found to be thought producing for ourselves and hope provided insights into those who attended! Listen in and get a piece of 2026 APT!

Case notes thoughtful reflection on one's theoretical orientation and beliefs about the child, the therapist, and the role of therapy. Good case notes require goals, objectives, interventions, and conceptualizations to align with a theoretical orientation. And despite the intense amount of training play therapists receive, sometimes the notes are forgotten. In this episode, Drs. Kristie and Maggie continue to expand upon case conceptualizations from a CCPT perspective. Listen in and tell us, what do you want to learn about next?

Notes are an integral part of the play therapy process and theory should shine through in all aspects. We hear that it is difficult and while we wish we could give you a script of exactly what to say, like all things in counseling, it all depends. So instead, we walk you through our process. We hope it's helpful. Please, like and subscribe, follow us on instagram (theplaytherapyspace), facebook (playtherapyspace), tiktok, youtube, etc. and sign up for our newsletter to be the first to get fun freebies and supports, and info on new events.

Coming to APT- come find us! We will be playing a fun game with even more fun prizes!

Hi everyone! In this episode, we're trying to address your questions about note taking. We want to ask your questions to the best of our abilities, and we are working on it. Here is our processing of the experience and how we can engage with our own note taking! Take a listen, we hope it's helpful!

We heard you- you are having a hard time knowing what to say in your notes. We've got you!

There isn't a script you can use for CCPT notes- it is dependent upon the child, the relationship, the play- but we can help you conceptualize how it may work! Listen in for examples!

Notes include a lot more than what happens in sessions and the conceptualization of clients. These include custody agreements, divorce decrees, releases of information, auxiliary notes detailing conversations, emails, CPS reports. All of these things are vital, but we don't always talk about them. This week, Dr. Kristie and Dr. Maggie share this and more to support you, the clinician, in ensuring you are exploring all aspects of note taking!

Clipboard in hand or fully in the moment? 🧸✨

In this episode of Playful Beginnings, we’re diving into one of the most debated topics in child therapy: Should play therapists take notes during a session?

On one hand, real-time documentation captures the brilliant, subtle moments of play while they’re fresh. On the other hand… nothing breaks a child’s flow quite like a therapist constantly looking down at a notepad.

We’re breaking down:

• 🎯 How note-taking impacts the therapeutic alliance and child connection
• 🧠 Strategies for holding onto key session details without writing mid-play
• ⚖️ Finding a realistic balance between thorough documentation and being 100% present

Whether you’re team "write it down immediately" or team "put the pen away," we’ve got thoughts for you.

🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform!

• #PlayTherapy #ChildTherapy #PlayTherapist #PlayfulBeginnings #TherapistLife #MentalHealthProfessionals #ChildPsychology #TherapistNotes

How do you capture non-verbal play, behavioral themes, and clinical progress clearly in a progress note? 🎨📋

In this week's episode of Playful Beginnings, we dive deep into the fundamentals of play therapy documentation. We share simple frameworks for structuring notes, translating play behaviors into objective clinical language, and optimizing your documentation workflow.

Listen in on your preferred podcast platform! 🎙️

A complete play therapy record is so much more than just weekly progress notes! 📂✨ In this episode of Playful Beginnings, we’re taking a deep dive into the essential aspects of notetaking from the initial contact to the subsequent parent consultations.

We break down how to read and navigate complex parenting plans, set clear legal and clinical boundaries with caregivers up front, translate intake assessment findings into child-centered treatment goals, and write clean, objective addendums when clinical situations evolve.

🎧 Tune in to make your administrative file as strong, clear, and clinical as your playroom work!