"Perfectionism is the strategy the child is using to manage their anxiety and fear." – Lisa Dion

That child who needs everything just right? Who gets upset when the block tower falls or the drawing isn't “perfect”? There’s more going on than meets the eye.

In this episode, Lisa unpacks the deeper truth behind perfectionism in the playroom—and why it’s not just about wanting to do things well. At its core, perfectionism is often a protective strategy, a way for a child to manage inner uncertainty, fear, and anxiety.

You’ll learn how to recognize the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways perfectionism shows up in your sessions, and most importantly, how to help children return to themselves—to a place of safety, self-trust, and inner regulation.

This episode is a beautiful reminder: we don’t have to “fix” perfectionism—we just have to meet it with presence.

Original Air Date: November 22, 2019

In this groundbreaking episode, Lisa is joined by Gabriel (Gabe) Lomas, an expert in the field of play therapy, to address a topic rarely discussed in the world of therapy: working with deaf children in the playroom. This episode offers a unique and insightful perspective that will deepen your understanding and approach to supporting children who are deaf.

In this episode, Gabe shares his expertise on the challenges and nuances of working with deaf children in therapy, helping to shine a light on an often misunderstood and overlooked aspect of play therapy.

In this episode, you'll hear:

🔍 Understanding deaf children—Why deaf children are often misunderstood and how to address these misunderstandings in the therapeutic space.

💬 Challenges of being deaf—The emotional and developmental challenges deaf children face, especially in the parent-child relationship.

🗣️ Effective communication—Why it's crucial to speak to deaf children in a language that makes sense to them and how this influences the therapeutic relationship.

🎲 The role of play therapy—How play therapy can bridge the gap, helping deaf children explore perceptions of themselves and their world.

🤝 Joining the world of a deaf child—How to offer deaf children a felt sense of being understood, seen, and validated during play therapy sessions.

🔊 Advocacy for deaf children—What therapists, educators, and caregivers need to be aware of when advocating for deaf children’s needs in therapy and beyond.

This episode will provide you with deep insights into the lived experiences of deaf children and how to be a more effective and compassionate therapist, parent, or educator for them. Gabe shares real-life case examples from his own experiences in child welfare and play therapy, and he even reveals what he believes to be the superpowers of deaf children—a powerful ending you won’t want to miss!

🌟 Listen to this episode and gain a profound understanding of how to support and advocate for deaf children in your practice and beyond.

Additional Resources:

💜 Learn more about Synergetic Play Therapy: Visit our website for courses, resources, and certification opportunities

📚 Explore Our Books and Read Aggression in Play Therapy

✨ SPT Foundation: Learn more about its mission, team, and initiatives

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Original Air Date: July 5, 2022

We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Carmen Jimenez-Pride—a fellow SPTer, therapist, healer, and a beautiful example of what it means to live fully, expansively, authentically, and without playing small.

Carmen left her mark in countless ways—through her innovative tools, creative resources, powerful trainings, books, advocacy, and her deeply healing presence. She poured her heart into supporting the play therapy community, always pushing the edges of what was possible with boldness, brilliance, and compassion.

Her clients, colleagues, supervisees, trainees, and all who knew her were profoundly touched by her gifts. We hold them—and her loved ones—in our thoughts during this time.

In her honor, we are resharing this powerful and inspiring conversation between Lisa and Carmen on integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS) into the playroom. Like Carmen’s work, this episode continues to expand hearts and inspire play therapists around the world. 🌿💜

In this conversation, you’ll hear Carmen and Lisa explore:

• What IFS looks like in the playroom and with child clients
• How to help clients build a relationship with all their parts (exiles, protectors, firefighters)
• How to support children in fully embracing who they are and the experiences that shaped them
• Ways to share IFS work with parents/caregivers and help them understand their own parts
• How to recognize our own therapist parts and how they might show up in sessions
• One of the biggest lies play therapists often tell themselves—and why it impacts our wellbeing

And as a bonus, you’ll get to hear a funny story about how Carmen didn’t want to be a therapist at first … and the journey that eventually brought her here (thank goodness it did!).

🌿 Carmen, thank you for everything you gave. Your legacy lives on in the many marks you’ve made on this world. 💜