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Join me on Next Level Play Therapy, a podcast for child and adolescent therapists seeking to elevate your play therapy services. Hosted by Cathi Spooner, LCSW, RPT-S, at Renewing Hearts Play Therapy Training.
Each episode delves into the nuances of play therapy, exploring innovative techniques, evidence-based practices, and practical strategies for providing exceptional therapeutic experiences. These engaging discussions cover a wide range of topics, including building rapport with children, how to make sure you get great outcomes for clients, therapeutic toys and tools and strategies to use in sessions, addressing trauma and attachment issues, engaging parents, promoting emotional regulation, and nurturing resilience for children and their families.
Whether you're an experienced therapist looking to refine your skills or a novice clinician venturing into the world of play therapy, the Next Level Play Therapy podcast equips you with the knowledge and insights to enhance your play therapy practice. With interviews featuring experts in play therapy, exploration of best practices, discussion of game-changing principles and strategies, this podcast equips you with the tools to unlock the amazing power of play therapy to transform the lives of children, adolescents, and families.
Tune in to Next Level Play Therapy and take a journey towards becoming an exceptional play therapist as we navigate the next level strategies that lead to profound healing and growth for children and their families.
| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
|
Family Play Therapy: 3 Signs a Parent Is Ready (and 3 Signs They're Not)
|
Oct 15, 2026 |
|
Family Play Therapy: Why Treating Just the Child Limits Outcomes
|
Oct 08, 2026 |
|
Congruence & Co-Regulation in Play Therapy
|
Oct 01, 2026 |
|
Window of Tolerance in Play Therapy: Why Kids "Bail" on Deep Play
|
Sep 23, 2026 |
|
Explosive Emotions in Kids: A Brain-Based Approach for Play Therapists
|
Sep 17, 2026 |
|
Stop Guessing: 3 Keys to Decode Behavior in Play Therapy
|
Sep 10, 2026 |
|
Stop Processing Your Hardest Play Therapy Sessions Alone
|
Sep 03, 2026 |
|
Stop Guessing: 3 Indicators Play Therapy is Working
|
Aug 26, 2026 |
|
How to Stop Dreading Your Complex Play Therapy Cases
|
Aug 20, 2026 |
|
5 Ways Community Improves Play Therapy Results, Especially When Clients Wreck Your Playroom
|
Aug 13, 2026 |
|
The Dangerous Lie Every Isolated Play Therapist Believes
|
Aug 06, 2026 |
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The #1 Mistake Play Therapists Make on Parent Calls
|
Jul 29, 2026 |
|
More Years of Experience Won't Fix What's Actually Making You Doubt Yourself as a Play Therapist
|
Jul 16, 2026 |
|
5 Signs You’re a Play Therapist Struggling with Clinical Isolation
|
Jul 09, 2026 |
|
Why Play Therapists Shouldn't Work Alone: Overcoming Clinical Isolation
|
Jul 02, 2026 |
|
The Isolated Play Therapist Syndrome: Why You’re Feeling Burned Out
|
Jun 25, 2026 |
|
Jungian Play Therapy 101: Symbols, Archetypes & Clinical Ideas
|
Jun 18, 2026 |
|
The Trauma Roadmap: Using Neuroscience & Attachment in Play Therapy
|
Jun 11, 2026 |
|
Is Trauma Really Stored in the Body? New Science for Play Therapists
|
Jun 04, 2026 |
|
Beyond Labeling: Why Emotional Granularity is the Key to Resilience in Play Therapy
|
May 28, 2026 |
|
The Missing Piece: How to Include Parents in Play Therapy for Children with Trauma
|
May 21, 2026 |
|
Play Therapy Case Conceptualization: Trauma, Attachment & Behavior
|
May 14, 2026 |
|
Polyvagal Theory Is Being Challenged… What Play Therapists Need to Know
|
May 07, 2026 |
|
Sand Tray Therapy: Should You Interpret a Child’s Play? (3 Things to Consider)
|
Apr 30, 2026 |
|
Virtual Play Therapy Explained: Tools, Tips & Platforms for Play Therapists
|
Apr 23, 2026 |
|
Sand Tray Therapy: How to Identify Themes in a Play Therapy Session
|
Apr 16, 2026 |
|
Play Therapy Assessment Explained: How to Know If Your Play Therapy Sessions Are Working
|
Apr 09, 2026 |
|
Case Conceptualization in Play Therapy: Why You Feel Stuck (and How to Fix It)
|
Apr 02, 2026 |
|
How to Use Attachment-Based Sand Tray Therapy with Teens
|
Mar 26, 2026 |
|
Play Therapy with Adolescents: Why Teen Symptoms Are Easy to Misread
|
Mar 19, 2026 |
|
Sand Tray Therapy with Teens: How to Use It Effectively in Play Therapy
|
Mar 12, 2026 |
|
How to Use Poetry with Teens in Play Therapy for Self-Expression
|
Mar 05, 2026 |
|
Best Strategies to Use Play Therapy with Teens
|
Feb 26, 2026 |
|
Can Play Therapy Work with Teens?
|
Feb 19, 2026 |
|
What’s the Difference Between Play Therapy and Using Play in Therapy?
|
Feb 12, 2026 |
|
How to Increase Play Therapy Impact & Reduce Burnout
|
Feb 05, 2026 |
|
How to Get Better Results in Play Therapy Without Doing More
|
Jan 29, 2026 |
|
How Does Consultation Improve Play Therapist Growth?
|
Jan 22, 2026 |
|
If Being a Play Therapist Feels Lonely, This Is for You
|
Jan 15, 2026 |
|
How to Use AutPlay Therapy with Neurodivergent Kids
|
Jan 08, 2026 |
|
What is Case Conceptualization in Play Therapy?
|
Jan 01, 2026 |
|
What Are Best Practices in Play Therapy for Clinical Decision-Making?
|
Dec 25, 2025 |
|
Music Therapy for Healing Trauma & Grief in Play Therapy
|
Dec 18, 2025 |
|
Basic Skills Using Sand Tray Effectively in Play Therapy
|
Dec 11, 2025 |
|
How to Write Meaningful Play Therapy Treatment Plans
|
Dec 04, 2025 |
|
How Does the Sand Tray Help Clients in Play Therapy?
|
Nov 27, 2025 |
|
How to Use Sand Tray in Play Therapy
|
Nov 20, 2025 |
|
4 Sand Tray Activities for Family Play Therapy Sessions
|
Nov 13, 2025 |
|
How to Use Sand Tray in Family Play Therapy Sessions?
|
Nov 06, 2025 |
|
3 Common Mistakes Using Family Play Therapy (And What to Do Instead)
|
Oct 30, 2025 |
|
Why Parent Updates Alone Can’t Fix Stalled Play Therapy Progress
|
Oct 23, 2025 |
|
Play Therapy with Parents | 5 Essential Tips for Family Play Therapy Sessions
|
Oct 16, 2025 |
|
Is Individual Play Therapy Better Than Family Play Therapy?
|
Oct 10, 2025 |
|
What to Do If Play Therapy Progress is Stalled
|
Oct 02, 2025 |
|
Should Parents Participate in Play Therapy Sessions?
|
Sep 25, 2025 |
|
How Do Play Therapists Decide When to Include Parents in Play Therapy Sessions?
|
Sep 18, 2025 |
|
What Are the Top Mistakes Play Therapists Make Working with Parents?
|
Sep 11, 2025 |
|
How to Conceptualize the Role of Parents in Play Therapy
|
Sep 04, 2025 |
|
How To Talk to Parents About Difficult Issues in Play Therapy
|
Aug 28, 2025 |
|
What is Best Practice in Play Therapy Clinical Decision-Making
|
Aug 21, 2025 |
|
How to Work with Resistance in Play Therapy: 4 Approaches for Reluctant Clients
|
Aug 14, 2025 |
|
How to Avoid Burnout and Create Meaningful Change in Play Therapy
|
Aug 07, 2025 |
|
Why Collecting More Play Therapy Activities Is Keeping You Stuck (And What Actually Creates Client Breakthroughs)"
|
Jul 31, 2025 |
|
How To Tell If Clients Are Just Playing in Play Therapy
|
Jul 24, 2025 |
|
What Are the Benefits of Play Therapy with Traumatized Kids?
|
Jul 17, 2025 |
|
Is There a Best Approach for Play Therapy with Traumatized Kids?
|
Jul 10, 2025 |
|
How to Use Play Therapy Interventions to Get Great Results in Play Therapy
|
Jul 03, 2025 |
|
How to Make Progress in Play Therapy When You’re Feeling Stuck
|
Jun 26, 2025 |
|
How to Tell If Play Therapy Is Working by These 5 Signs
|
Jun 19, 2025 |
|
5 Mistakes Every Play Therapist Makes (And How to Grow from Them)
|
Jun 12, 2025 |
|
How Do You Create a Sacred Space in Play Therapy for Healing?
|
Jun 05, 2025 |
|
What Does It Mean to Create a Sacred Space for Children in Play Therapy?
|
May 29, 2025 |
|
Tips to Recognize Themes in Play Therapy with Traumatized Children
|
May 22, 2025 |
|
3 Favorite Play Therapy Activities to Use with Traumatized Children & Teens
|
May 15, 2025 |
|
Tips for Maximizing Results Using Play Therapy to Heal Trauma
|
May 08, 2025 |
|
How to Use an Integrative Play Therapy Model with Traumatized Children & Teens
|
May 01, 2025 |
|
What’s the Connection Between Childhood Trauma and Adolescent Suicidality?
|
Apr 24, 2025 |
|
5 Components to Create a Safe Space for Healing Trauma in Play Therapy
|
Apr 17, 2025 |
|
Play Therapy with Children & Teens Experiencing Eating Problems
|
Apr 10, 2025 |
|
Does Case Conceptualization Matter in Play Therapy?
|
Apr 03, 2025 |
|
What’s the Role of Parents in Play Therapy?
|
Mar 27, 2025 |
|
How Play Therapists Can Avoid Burnout
|
Mar 20, 2025 |
|
Want to Be Part of a Play Therapy Community?
|
Mar 13, 2025 |
|
How to Develop Culturally-Informed Play Therapy Case Conceptualization
|
Mar 06, 2025 |
|
How to Get Great Results in Play Therapy
|
Feb 27, 2025 |
|
How to Write Great Play Therapy Documentation Quickly and Easily
|
Feb 20, 2025 |
|
Why do you need strong Case Conceptualization skills for play therapy?
|
Feb 13, 2025 |
|
What skills are needed to be a play therapist?
|
Feb 06, 2025 |
|
What is Bias in Play Therapy?
|
Jan 30, 2025 |
|
4 Basic Skills for Play Therapists
|
Jan 23, 2025 |
|
What’s the Backbone of Great Play & Expressive Arts Therapy?
|
Jan 16, 2025 |
|
Clinical Decision-Making in Play Therapy: What’s in Your Toolbox?
|
Jan 09, 2025 |
|
Is Sandplay Therapy Effective?
|
Jan 02, 2025 |
|
How to Help Bereaved Children in Play Therapy
|
Dec 26, 2024 |
|
Can Children Heal in Play Therapy without Parents?
|
Dec 19, 2024 |
|
What’s the Secret to Use Family Play Therapy Confidently?
|
Dec 12, 2024 |
|
How to Engage Challenging Parents in Play Therapy
|
Dec 05, 2024 |
|
How to Build Strong Rapport in Play Therapy
|
Nov 28, 2024 |
|
Using Play Therapy to Help Children with Anger Problems
|
Nov 21, 2024 |
|
What’s the Best Approach for Play Therapy?
|
Nov 14, 2024 |
|
What is Bibliotherapy in Play Therapy?
|
Nov 07, 2024 |
|
How to Create Your Sand Tray Miniature Collection
|
Oct 31, 2024 |
|
Best Ever Sand for Sand Tray Therapy!
|
Oct 24, 2024 |
|
What Kind of Sand Tray Miniatures Are Best
|
Oct 17, 2024 |
|
How to Provide Sand Tray Therapy in Play Therapy
|
Oct 10, 2024 |
|
How Do Play Therapists Understand Themes in Play Therapy?
|
Oct 03, 2024 |
|
Identifying Play Dynamics in Play Therapy
|
Sep 26, 2024 |
|
How To Develop Culturally-Informed Play Therapy Case Conceptualization
|
Sep 19, 2024 |
|
How To Use Neuroscience & Attachment Theory in Play Therapy to Heal Trauma
|
Sep 12, 2024 |
|
How To Take a Strategic Approach to Play Therapy with Traumatized Children
|
Sep 05, 2024 |
|
What is Sand Tray Therapy?
|
Aug 29, 2024 |
|
How to Engage Reluctant Parents in Play Therapy
|
Aug 22, 2024 |
|
What Are the Current Trends and Growth in the Field of Play Therapy?
|
Aug 15, 2024 |
|
What’s the Role of Parents in Play Therapy with Anxious Children?
|
Aug 08, 2024 |
|
How to Balance Case Conceptualization, Treatment Planning, and Therapeutic Relationship in Play Therapy
|
Aug 01, 2024 |
|
How to Work with High Conflict Families in Play Therapy
|
Jul 25, 2024 |
|
How Can the AAI Be Used in Play Therapy to Create Secure Attachments?
|
Jul 18, 2024 |
|
How to Set Up Play Therapy for Success
|
Jul 11, 2024 |
|
What is Imposter Syndrome in Play Therapy?
|
Jul 04, 2024 |
|
How to Get Unstuck in Play Therapy
|
Jun 27, 2024 |
|
How Do You Know if Play Therapy Works?
|
Jun 20, 2024 |
|
How Can Play Therapy Heal Preverbal Trauma?
|
Jun 13, 2024 |
|
What Are the Best Play Therapy Techniques for Connection
|
Jun 06, 2024 |
|
What are the Therapeutic Powers of Play in Play Therapy?
|
May 30, 2024 |
|
How to Write Effective Play Therapy Documentation
|
May 23, 2024 |
|
How to Write Play Therapy Progress Notes
|
May 16, 2024 |
|
Are Open Notes Useful for Play Therapy?
|
May 09, 2024 |
|
What Does Case Conceptualization Have to Do with Play Therapy Themes?
|
May 02, 2024 |
|
What’s the Best Way to Identify Themes in Play Therapy Sessions?
|
Apr 25, 2024 |
|
Mistakes to Avoid When Writing Play Therapy Progress Notes
|
Apr 18, 2024 |
|
How to Avoid Feeling Overwhelmed Providing Play Therapy
|
Apr 11, 2024 |
|
How to Engage Challenging Children in Play Therapy
|
Apr 04, 2024 |
|
How To Recognize Clinically Relevant Themes in Play Therapy Sessions
|
Mar 28, 2024 |
|
How Do Play Therapists Understand Themes in Play Therapy?
|
Mar 21, 2024 |
|
Why Does Congruence Matter in Play Therapy?
|
Mar 14, 2024 |
|
What Are Barriers for Congruence in Play Therapy?
|
Mar 07, 2024 |
|
What are the Benefits of Formal Assessment in Play Therapy?
|
Feb 29, 2024 |
|
How to Use Congruence Effectively in Play Therapy
|
Feb 22, 2024 |
|
3 Misconceptions About Using Expressive Arts with Teens in Play Therapy
|
Feb 15, 2024 |
|
How to Use Play Therapy with Traumatized Children and Teens
|
Feb 08, 2024 |
|
How to Use Play Therapy to Address Alexithymia with Traumatized Children and Teens
|
Feb 08, 2024 |
|
How to Use Play Therapy with Adolescents
|
Jan 31, 2024 |