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Lessons from the Playroom

Lisa Dion
Play Therapy
Synergetic Play Therapy
Mental Health
Child Development
Trauma
Parenting
Therapy
Emotional Regulation
Therapeutic Techniques
Child Therapy
Neurodiversity
Authenticity
Co-Regulation
Boundaries
Attachment Theory
Gut Health
Therapeutic Relationship
Child Sex Trafficking
Bibliotherapy
Neuroscience

The Synergetic Play Therapy Institute's "Lessons From the Playroom" Podcasts are a series of recorded podcasts designed to help therapists understand the little lessons that kids teach us that make a big difference in the play therapy process. Our podcast host, Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S, is an innovative and inspiring teacher and pioneer in play therapy. She founder and President of the Synergetic Pla... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes337Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Kids & FamilyHealth & FitnessMental Health

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Lessons from the Playroom

Latest Episodes

Originally aired March 11, 2025

"Every child has the capacity to heal and grow, but it starts with meeting them where they are—with respect, curiosity, and an understanding of their unique needs." – Hannah Young

In this episode, Lisa sits down wi... more

Originally aired February 25, 2025

"We all walk around in our little cultural bubble, and sometimes, without realizing it, that bubble shapes how we show up in the playroom." – Dr. Carmen Cubillo

In this thought-provoking episode, Lisa sits down ... more

Original air date: Feb 11, 2025

In this episode, Lisa is joined by Mili Shoemaker, a Synergetic Play Therapy supervisor trainer, long-time consultant, and dear friend. Together, they dive into one of the most foundational concepts in Synergetic Pla... more

Original air date: Jan 28, 2025

In this episode, Lisa reconnects with Natascha Lawrence, a Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor, EMDR Practitioner, and founder of the FASD Institute, for an essential conversation about supporting children with Fetal ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Recent Guests

Hannah Young
Accredited play therapist based in England; clinical supervisor and therapist in educational and private practice
England-based play therapy practice
Episode: The Power of Poetry in Play Therapy: A Conversation with Hannah Young (Best of)
Georgie Wissen Vincent
Nationally recognized play therapy expert; co-founder of the Play Strong Institute
Play Strong Institute
Episode: The Way of Play: A New Approach to Connection in Play Therapy with Georgie Wissen Vincent (Best of)
Stacy Jagger
Dr. Sassy, founder and clinical director of Music City Family Therapy; creator of the Mountain Method
Music City Family Therapy
Episode: Climbing the Mountain: A Holistic Approach to Family Play Therapy with Stacy Jagger (Best of)
Polly Douglass
Synergetic Play Therapy supervisor and advisor to the Institute
Synergetic Play Therapy Institute
Episode: Navigating Life's Transitions: An Empty Nester's Journey with Lisa (Best of)
Cara Smith
Certified Child Life Specialist
Independent/World-wide practice
Episode: Beyond Toys: Play Therapy Across Medical, Occupational, and Animal-Assisted Settings (Best of)
Amy Pennington
Representative of Occupational Therapy
Independent/School-based
Episode: Beyond Toys: Play Therapy Across Medical, Occupational, and Animal-Assisted Settings (Best of)
Jacque Maben
Gestalt Equine Therapist, EMDR-trained
Private practice
Episode: Beyond Toys: Play Therapy Across Medical, Occupational, and Animal-Assisted Settings (Best of)
Jennifer Shivey
Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapy Supervisor, Approved Clinical Supervisor
Episode: Creating Affirming Play Therapy Spaces for Transgender & Gender-Diverse Children with Jennifer Shivey (Best of)
Marie José Dhaese
Expressive Play Therapy expert; Center for Expressive Therapy
Center for Expressive Therapy, Vancouver Island
Episode: Reconnecting to Our True Nature: A Transformative Conversation with Marie José Dhaese (Best of)

Host

Lisa Dion
Host of Lessons from the Playroom; spearheads Synergetic Play Therapy Institute

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 239 ratings
  • Amazing Advocacy and Knowledge for the Play Therapy Field

    This is exactly the kind of play therapy podcast we need in this emerging field! Incredible resource. One star lost due to the low sound quality - please consider changing your mic or editing software, it’s really out of balance and hard to listen to when the interviewer and interviewee are at different volumes. I would listen and recommend this every week, if you fixed the sound issues!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    koojo56
    Australiaa year ago
  • Thank you!

    Lisa I don’t know how you do it but you always release a episode that I really need to hear!!! Such a great podcast series <3

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MegDelB
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Bite-sized chunks of deeply important and informative therapeutic goodness

    I love this podcast. As a new intern I’m constantly learning, questioning myself, wondering if I’m ok, what can I do better, what do I do well, what can I do with this kid or that kid… and so in and so on. This podcast offers me that and so much more. Plus, as an intern I simply can’t afford every cool training in the book, so this helps augment my education without dipping into the grocery budget! I love that it’s not hour(s) long and I can listen while driving to work or doing a quick clean on... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lilstephs1
    United States3 years ago
  • Truly wonderful

    This show is so helpful and grounding. I listen to it before i start my sessions to ‘get in the zone’ thanks Lisa!!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    sunny dispositions
    United Kingdom4 years ago
  • Wishing all Play Therapy training was this good

    The content is so rich and timely. I never fail

    To learn something new I could implement immediately into my practice. I don’t know how Lisa Dion got to be so smart about children and how to best work with them. I only wish all play therapy education was at this high level.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    been threre
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise actionable tools and practical insights for real-world sessions.
Quality of guests and Lisa's grounding in neuroscience makes concepts accessible.
Fans value discussions on attachment, co-regulation, and trauma-informed care.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#177
Ireland/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts
#208
Singapore/Kids & Family
Apple Podcasts
#243
South Africa/Kids & Family

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Unveiling Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) Through a Play Therapy Lens (Best of)
Q: What should parents and schools understand about FASD to better support children and youth?
Parents and educators should view FASD through a non-judgmental lens, recognize long-term support needs, communicate openly about the diagnosis, and implement accommodations that address sensory, memory, and processing challenges.
Unveiling Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) Through a Play Therapy Lens (Best of)
Q: What is the iceberg framework and why is looking below the surface critical in FASD work?
The iceberg analogy helps explain that most of a child's needs lie below the surface: sensory processing, memory encoding, executive function, and trauma history. Addressing these deeper layers through a sustained, sensitive approach improves outcomes.
Unveiling Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) Through a Play Therapy Lens (Best of)
Q: How should a playroom be designed to support children with FASD and other neurodivergent needs?
Therapists should create a sensory-rich, flexible space with multiple options (lights, textures, dimmers) and avoid a one-size-fits-all setup, ensuring the room is 'we-focused' and adaptable to individual sensory profiles.
Unveiling Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) Through a Play Therapy Lens (Best of)
Q: Share with us why this topic is important to you and what you hope therapists take away from this discussion.
The guest explains that FASD is a whole-body condition linked to neurodiversity, and that understanding this through a play therapy lens helps reduce stigma and tailor supports for each child, including long-term strategies for co-regulation and family collaboration.
Little Lessons Series: Messes, Transitions, and Bathroom Breaks - Listener Q&A with Lisa (Best of)
Q: What can I do about a client who keeps leaving to go to the bathroom during the session?
Approach with curiosity to understand what happened before the bathroom break, consider it a regulation strategy rather than automatic avoidance, and adjust pacing or titration to prevent the transition from becoming overwhelming while still validating the child's processing needs.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Lessons from the Playroom

What is Lessons from the Playroom about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Therapists and mental-health practitioners are likely to find practical, relationship-focused guidance grounded in play therapy principles. Episodes often center on co-regulation, attachment, and child-led interventions, with guests spanning attachment experts, trauma-informed clinicians, and cultural humility advocates. The format combines case-informed strategies, hands-on tools, and scalable approaches (e.g., bibliotherapy, experiential play, game-based modalities) to bolster client engagement, caregiver involvement, and therapist self-care. A notable strength is its ability to translate neuroscience-informed concepts into accessible, in-session techniques that therapists can implement immediately. A recurring theme is the primacy of att... more

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How many episodes of Lessons from the Playroom are there?

Lessons from the Playroom launched 9 years ago and published 337 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Lessons from the Playroom?

Recent guests on Lessons from the Playroom include:

1. Hannah Young
2. Georgie Wissen Vincent
3. Stacy Jagger
4. Polly Douglass
5. Cara Smith
6. Amy Pennington
7. Jacque Maben
8. Jennifer Shivey

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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