Lessons from the Playroom

Original air date: Oct 01, 2024
Lisa is back to answer more of your burning questions! And this time, we're diving deep into the world of teens, one of the most complex and rewarding populations to work with in the playroom. 
In this episode, Lisa addresses 3 thought-provoking questions submitted by listeners, shedding light on adolescents' nuanced and sometimes perplexing behaviors.
Karen asks: "What do you do when a teen doesn't want to engage or say anything?"
Lisa explores multiple angles to approach this challenge and offers insights into how to keep the relational connection alive, even when words are few.
Sorina wonders: "How do you handle it when tweens repeatedly ask when the session can be done or if they can be done with therapy (parent wants them in therapy)?"
Lisa explores how to respond to these moments and how to create a space that aligns with a teen's unique needs and interests, even when those interests clash with their parents'.
Mary asks: "What do you say when a 17-year-old autistic teen is showing you their video game. You don't understand something and you ask them a question. Their response is, 'That is the dumbest question anyone could ever ask'?"
Lisa shares how to handle these tricky situations and turn them into opportunities for deeper understanding and connection, using key concepts from Synergetic Play Therapy.
Join us for a rich discussion filled with insights, strategies, and reminders on how to connect with and support teens in a meaningful way. 
*We appreciate your questions and encourage you to keep them coming! If you have a question or a scenario you'd like Lisa to discuss, email us at [email protected], or better yet, send an audio clip of your question. Your questions help us all grow and learn together in this beautiful journey of play therapy.
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: May 14, 2024
Lisa is joined by three remarkable professionals, Jacque Maben, Cara Smith, and Amy Pennington, to uncover the boundless potential of play therapy across various contexts and non-traditional mental health settings. This episode expands the definition of play beyond traditional toys to encompass movement, body experiences, and relational dynamics. 
Meet our guests: Cara Smith, a Certified Child Life Specialist; Amy Pennington, an Occupational Therapist; and Jacque Maben, an Equine/Animal Assisted Therapist. Learn more about them below. In this episode, each guest infuses the principles of play therapy into their unique practices, resulting in a magical fusion of healing modalities.  
Cara enlightens us on integrating play into medical settings, using it as a tool to alleviate stress and anxiety surrounding medical procedures. Amy brings play into the realm of occupational therapy, shedding light on how it aids in sensory processing and skill development. Jacque shares her insights into incorporating animals, particularly horses, into play therapy, emphasizing their authenticity and ability to provide a sense of safety.
Discover how these professionals serve as external regulators, co-regulating with children toward trauma integration across various contexts. Tune in to explore the myriad forms of play and the transformative power it holds in diverse therapeutic practices, witnessing the beautiful unity that emerges when harnessing play therapy principles for healing in any setting. 
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: September 3, 2024
Lisa welcomes Tammi Van Hollander, LCSW, RPT-S, to explore a transformative approach to bibliotherapy. Moving beyond the traditional view of books as cognitive tools, Tammi introduces us to using bibliotherapy as a means for co-regulation, attachment, and creating a sense of safety within the therapeutic space.
Tammi, who was initially trained in client-centered play therapy, shares her journey of discovering the profound impact that books can have when used as co-regulators. Through her experiences and insights, she reveals how stories can extend beyond mere words, becoming powerful tools that facilitate deeper connections between children and their caregivers.
Key Takeaways:
Tammi's Journey with Bibliotherapy: How she discovered the power of books as a co-regulation tool.
A Paradigm Shift: Using bibliotherapy from a "bottom-up" approach to support attachment, safety, and emotional regulation in children.
Integrating Books into Play Therapy: Practical strategies for making books an extension of a child's play, fostering a more client-centered therapeutic experience.
Engaging Kids Who Aren't Interested in Reading: Innovative ways to use books beyond just reading the words.
Types of Bibliotherapy: Differentiating between developmental, therapeutic, and play-based bibliotherapy.
Enhancing Parent-Child Relationships: How books can strengthen the bond between parents and children, addressing attachment and repair in relationships.
Attunement and Trusting the Process: The importance of being present and attuned to the child, allowing books and other tools in the therapy space to facilitate healing naturally.
*Check out Tammi's new book on Amazon, PESI website, or Tammi's website: The Bibliotherapy Toolbox: 100+ Creative and Playful Story-Based Interventions to Help Kids Create Safety, Overcome Challenges, and Build Resiliency.
*Tammi Van Hollander, LCSW, RPT-S™, is a leading expert in attachment, sandtray play therapy, and sensory integration with over 25 years of experience. She holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania and advanced training from the Family and Play Therapy Center in Philadelphia. Tammi is the author of Casey's Greatness Wings and The Bibliotherapy Toolkit, and she delivered a TEDx Talk, "Stories in the Sand: Healing Trauma, Anxiety, and Grief," in 2023. Connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
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: August 20, 2024
In this episode, Lisa responds directly to your questions! And today, we have three fantastic questions from our listeners that Lisa will be answering.
Jennifer asks: "What do you do if a child wants to bring food or their own toys into the session?" 
Lisa gives insights and shares different ways to respond. She delves into the therapeutic function of foods and emphasizes the importance of including the child's toys in sessions, in line with Synergetic Play Therapy's philosophy.
Sarah asks: "What do you do when a child lies or exaggerates their stories?"
Lisa helps us understand why it's not about the specific details of the story and highlights what's more important when working with a child who lies or exaggerates.
Jennifer asks: "How do you handle it if a child wants to show their caregiver something they created in the playroom?"
Lisa discusses the larger question we need to consider first and then offers various ways to respond to different ways that this can play out.
We have three amazing questions that came from YOU! Keep your questions coming and join us for an engaging and insightful episode that deepens your understanding of the little lessons children teach us in the playroom.
If you would like to be part of the conversation (...because yes, we're going to keep doing these episodes), send your questions to Lisa at [email protected]. Or even better, send us an audio of your question to share. 🙂
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 24, 2024
In this episode Lisa welcomes Jennifer Shivey, a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, and Approved Clinical Supervisor with a focus on supporting LGBTQ+ children and their families. Jennifer, who has personal experience as the mother of a transgender child, shares her journey and how it transformed her approach to creating safe and affirming play therapy spaces.
You'll gain practical insights on inclusive practices, the importance of understanding evolving language around gender diversity, and how to support both children and their families through their journeys of self-discovery. Jennifer emphasizes the ethical responsibilities of therapists to engage in ongoing education and offers advice for those who may feel challenged by these conversations.
This episode is a call to action for therapists to reflect on their practices, understand the profound impact of inclusive therapy, and ensure their playrooms are welcoming spaces for all children. Join us for this vital discussion and learn how you can make a difference in the lives of transgender and gender-diverse children.
*Want to take a full 90-minute course on this very topic? Join Jen and other amazing presenters including Marshall Lyles, Val Bruno, and Jodi Mullen for the upcoming Play It Forward: Elevating Play Therapy through Education and Service. This one-day virtual summit on July 25th, 2024 is designed to empower therapists while support play therapy training scholarships awarded through the Synergetic Play Therapy Foundation (....yes, every dollar of your registration).
Learn about reflections and reflective functioning in Sandtray therapy with Marshall Lyles. Val Bruno will guide you with navigating legal processes as a play therapist. Jodi Mullen will offer insight into play therapy with sexually traumatized children. And Jennifer Shivey will help you to create an affirming play therapy space for transgender and gender-diverse children and their families. Secure your spot today! 🌟
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.