Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist

In this episode, I answer a question from a mom whose son has struggled with aggression, sadness, and emotional regulation for years. She wonders why he's so different from his peers and why therapy hasn't uncovered the "reason" behind his behavior. I explain why behavior is always communication, how aggression and withdrawal are often signs of emotional pain rather than defiance, and why our goal isn't to uncover every cause of a child's struggles, but to provide the relationship and environment where healing can naturally take place.
I also discuss the connection between self-esteem, identity, and healthy peer relationships, and why children who don't yet know who they are often have difficulty connecting with others. You'll learn how encouragement, choice giving, and unconditional acceptance at home work alongside play therapy to help children become more regulated, more confident, and ultimately a healthier version of themselves over time.
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 an adoptive mom who is learning how to use child-centered parenting techniques with her daughter, who struggles with aggression, big emotions, and sensory challenges. We talk about why children often can't think clearly when they're emotionally overwhelmed, how to use empowerment choices before conflict begins, and how to create meaningful enforcement choices that teach responsibility without relying on punishment. If you've ever wondered how to put child-centered parenting into practice in everyday life, this episode is full of practical examples you can start using right away.
I also answer questions about setting limits when children hit, kick, or lash out, supporting a spouse who is learning these parenting skills at a different pace, and adapting child-centered parenting for children with developmental delays. Whether you're new to this parenting approach or trying to become more consistent, this episode will help you understand how small changes in your responses can strengthen your relationship with your child and encourage healthier emotional growth over time.
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 feels like she's constantly butting heads with her ten-year-old daughter. We talk about why the preteen years often bring a strong desire for independence, how to balance growing autonomy with healthy boundaries, and why behaviors like arguing, disrespect, and constantly saying, "You're not the boss of me," are often signs of a child trying to figure out who they are rather than simply being defiant.
I also share practical ways to strengthen your relationship during this important stage of development, including how encouragement builds confidence, why some reward systems can unintentionally discourage struggling children, and one simple weekly habit that can transform your connection with your child. If you're parenting a strong-willed preteen and wondering how to navigate the growing push for independence without constant conflict, this episode will give you both perspective and practical tools.
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 whose five-year-old daughter seems to be caught in constant power struggles despite receiving choices throughout the day. We explore why some children continue to demand control even when parents are using child-centered strategies, and I explain the important difference between simply giving children choices and giving them meaningful choices that meet the emotional need underneath the behavior. We also discuss why anxiety often fuels a child's need for control and how aggressive behaviors can actually be a mask for much deeper feelings.
I also share practical ways to respond when children become dysregulated, make threats, or lash out during moments of frustration. You'll learn how to pair healthy limit-setting with empowerment choices that teach children appropriate alternatives instead of simply telling them what not to do. If you're parenting a strong-willed, highly anxious, or power-seeking child, this episode will help you better understand what's driving the behavior—and how to respond in a way that builds emotional regulation instead of escalating the struggle.
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 whose seven-year-old daughter has struggled with pee withholding since potty training. We explore why toileting challenges are often about much more than the bathroom, including how control, anxiety, and emotional patterns can become deeply ingrained over time. I explain why children sometimes hold onto control in unexpected ways and how understanding what's happening beneath the surface can completely change the way we respond.
I also share one of the most practical tools in child-centered parenting: empowerment choices. You'll learn why simply giving children freedom isn't the same as intentionally giving them meaningful choices, how choices help children experience healthy power and responsibility, and why this approach can gradually reduce the need for children to seek control through difficult behaviors. If you're navigating toileting struggles—or any behavior rooted in control or anxiety—this episode will give you a new perspective and practical strategies you can begin using today.
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.