Lisa is back with another episode of the Little Lessons Series, answering your insightful questions about navigating the complexities of the playroom. Today’s episode focuses on how to handle those challenging moments in therapy where uncertainty, emotional flooding, and parents’ concerns come into play.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Chrissy’s question: “What do you do when a child can’t decide on what to play with or doesn’t even play after coming for weeks?”
Lisa breaks down how to navigate moments of hesitation, offering insights on how to remain present and supportive without rushing to fix the situation. She also discusses how emotional age and developmental stage impact engagement in play.

Sally’s question: “What do you do when the parent tells you they don’t want their child to play with aggressive toys or engage in aggressive play, like war play?”
Lisa explores the importance of understanding the parent’s concerns and how to guide the conversation to help them see how aggressive play can be therapeutic and necessary for the child’s emotional expression and processing.

Carolyn’s question: “How do you respond when a child says ‘I love you’ or asks if you’ll move in with them or be their mother?”
Lisa offers valuable advice on how to respond authentically to these deeply emotional moments, explaining how to navigate the child’s need for connection while maintaining professional boundaries and emotional safety.

Join Lisa for a candid and thought-provoking conversation, as she offers practical strategies to help you stay grounded and authentic when facing common and challenging scenarios in the playroom.

🎧 Have a question you'd like Lisa to explore in an upcoming episode? Email your question to info@synergeticplaytherapy.com or send in an audio clip. Your curiosity fuels this podcast—and the entire play therapy community grows because of it.

How do our perspectives shape who we are and how we connect with others—both in the playroom and in life? In this thought-provoking episode, Lisa Dion sits down with Dr. Rachel Altvater (Psy.D., RPT-S™), an award-winning leader in play therapy, to explore the profound impact of perspective on our personal and professional lives.

🔹 Discover the inspiration behind Rachel’s new book, Perspective: Contemplating the Complexities of Our Realities
🔹 Unpack how we form perspectives about ourselves, others, and the world around us
🔹 Learn why perspective awareness is crucial for therapists and caregivers
🔹 Explore powerful self-reflection questions to expand your understanding of your own perspectives
🔹 Gain insights into how your perspectives may be shaping your interactions with clients

Rachel also shares a heartfelt message on the ripple effects of healing and connection, reminding us that the more aligned we are with ourselves, the greater impact we have on the world.

🌟 Tune in for an enlightening conversation that will shift the way you see yourself, your clients, and the world around you!

Original Air Date: May 9, 2023

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💜 Learn More About Synergetic Play Therapy:

👉 Visit our website for courses, resources, and certification opportunities – www.synergeticplaytherapy.com

📚 Explore Our Books: Aggression in Play Therapy – www.synergeticplaytherapy.com/books

🎧 Listen to Our Podcast: Lessons from the Playroom – www.synergeticplaytherapy.com/lessons-from-the-playroom/

✨ SPT Foundation: Learn more about it's mission, team and initiatives:

👉 https://synergeticplaytherapy.com/spt-foundation/

🔗 Connect with Us on Social Media:

• Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/synergeticplaytherapy/
• Like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SynergeticPlayTherapyInstitute

Why is attunement the heart of the therapeutic relationship? In this episode, Lisa Dion explores why simply following a script or checklist in play therapy isn’t enough—true transformation happens when we deeply attune to our clients (and ourselves).

🔹 Discover what attunement is—and what it’s not
🔹 Uncover the biggest barriers to attunement in the playroom
🔹 Learn how to create an experience where clients feel emotionally and energetically met
🔹 Gain insights on explaining the felt-sense of attunement to parents and caregivers

Lisa also shares a powerful moment from a play therapy training, illustrating how attunement can reveal critical insights that might otherwise be missed. Whether you're a therapist or a parent, this conversation will deepen your ability to connect, co-regulate, and create meaningful therapeutic exchanges.

🌟 Tune in to transform your sessions and foster deeper, more authentic client connections!

Original Air Date: May 23, 2023

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💜 Learn More About Synergetic Play Therapy:

👉 Visit our website for courses, resources, and certification opportunities – www.synergeticplaytherapy.com

📚 Explore Our Books: Aggression in Play Therapy – www.synergeticplaytherapy.com/books

🎧 Listen to Our Podcast: Lessons from the Playroom – www.synergeticplaytherapy.com/lessons-from-the-playroom/

✨ SPT Foundation: Learn more about it's mission, team and initiatives:

👉 https://synergeticplaytherapy.com/spt-foundation/

🔗 Connect with Us on Social Media:

• Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/synergeticplaytherapy/
• Like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SynergeticPlayTherapyInstitute