Lessons from the Playroom

Emotional flooding is inevitable; it's part of relationship. It's not about shame, but connection—providing a platform upon which real repair can flourish. – Lisa Dion
In this episode, Lisa explores emotional flooding from the therapist's perspective and why finding ourselves outside our window of tolerance is not a failure—but a natural part of relational work.
Through a nervous-system-informed lens, Lisa reframes emotional flooding as meaningful information rather than something to avoid or fix. When approached with curiosity, attunement, and repair, these moments of rawness can deepen authenticity, strengthen the therapeutic relationship, and create powerful opportunities for healing.
This conversation invites therapists to release shame, embrace humanity, and see emotional flooding as an ally in the work—both in the playroom and within themselves.
Original Air Date: March 6, 2019
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.

"The more we try to avoid conflict, the more it shows up in our life." – Lisa Dion
Why does conflict feel so uncomfortable—and why do we work so hard to avoid it?
In this episode of Lessons from the Playroom, Lisa Dion explores why conflict is not a sign that something has gone wrong, but a necessary part of growth and relational depth. Through a nervous-system-informed lens, she unpacks what happens internally when conflict arises and how our responses are shaped by regulation, protection, and connection.
This conversation invites therapists to develop a different relationship with conflict—one that begins within ourselves and extends into our work with clients, families, and colleagues, both in and out of the playroom.
Original Air Date: September 7, 2020
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.

Re-airing in honor of the International Week of Play Therapy.
In this special episode Lisa is joined by Amit Chintan Ramlall and his father, Dr. Kumar Ramlall, for a powerful conversation about autism, identity, and the transformative impact of assuming competence.
Amit shares his lived experience of navigating Autism Spectrum Disorder and how embracing his strengths—rather than being defined by limitations—opened pathways to purpose, contribution, and connection. Together, they explore common misconceptions about autism, the importance of meeting clients where they are, and how curiosity and humility create space for genuine therapeutic relationship.
This episode invites therapists to reconsider assumptions about neuroplasticity, sensory experiences, and communication, while offering a profound reminder of the untapped potential that exists within every individual.
Assume competence—there's always more to uncover.
Language note: While many Autistic individuals prefer identity-first language, Amit prefers person-first language, which is honored throughout this conversation.
***For a transcript of this episode, please visit our website at synergeticplaytherapy.com.
Original Air Date: April 2, 2024
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.

PANS and PANDAS are among the most misunderstood—and frequently requested—topics in the therapy world. In this episode, Lisa is joined by Dr. Montserrat Casado for a thoughtful, compassionate conversation on how these conditions impact children, families, and the therapeutic process.
Together, they explore what PANS/PANDAS are, how immune responses and brain inflammation affect behavior and nervous system regulation, and why symptoms such as OCD, rage, regression, and restrictive eating require a broader, integrative lens. Dr. Casado also shares her personal journey and decade-long commitment to educating clinicians on how to support children and caregivers navigating these complex challenges.
This episode offers clarity, context, and hope—inviting therapists to deepen their understanding, support attachment and regulation, and bring a more informed, systemic approach to their work with children affected by PANS/PANDAS.
Original Air Date: March 19, 2024
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.

"It is a sparkling thing when I encounter realness of another person… When this happens, I leap to meet it." – Carl Rogers
Carl Rogers is one of the most influential—and often misunderstood—figures in psychology. In this episode, Lisa returns to Rogers' own words and teachings to explore what he was truly inviting clinicians to embody.
Through a nervous-system-informed lens, this conversation highlights how authenticity, presence, and self-acceptance create the conditions for felt safety and relational connection. Lisa explores why Rogers' emphasis on "realness" isn't just philosophical—it's deeply regulatory, shaping how clients experience safety, attunement, and healing in the therapeutic relationship.
Some of what emerges may challenge what you thought you knew about Rogers and deepen how you understand the embodied foundations of effective therapy.
Original Air Date: April 3, 2019
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.