Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy

Dr. Brenna Hicks

Child-Centered Play Therapy

Play Therapy

Child Development

Anxiety

Therapeutic Techniques

Parenting

Trauma

Therapeutic Process

Therapeutic Relationship

Mental Health

Emotional Vocabulary

Limit Setting

Self-Esteem

Divorce

Therapeutic Environment

Neutrality In Therapy

Child Therapy

Child Centered Play Therapy

Carl Rogers

ADHD

Your source for centered and focused Play Therapy coaching. A "Master-Class" in Play Therapy. Breaking down the barriers to high-quality Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) education. No paywalls, no ads, no fluff... all content — just expert, accessible training for every play therapist, free of charge.

262 ratings

Publishes	Twice weekly	Episodes	444	Founded	4 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	CoursesEducation

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Latest Episodes

444 | The Looking Glass Self: How CCPT Helps Children See Themselves Differently

In this episode, I explore a fascinating concept that helps explain why child-centered play therapy is so powerful in shaping a child's identity: **the Looking Glass Self**. Originally introduced by sociologist Charles Cooley, this concept suggests t... more

27 Oct 2026 • 10 min

443 | Update + Should Parents Tell Their Child About an Autism Diagnosis?

In this episode, I answer a question from a therapist in Hong Kong about how to help parents talk to their children about an autism diagnosis. When a child begins noticing that they receive extra support at school or experience the world differently ... more

22 Oct 2026 • 19 min • Most popular

442 | When Parents Feel Kept in the Dark: Protecting Confidentiality in CCPT

In this episode, I answer a question about one of the more delicate aspects of child-centered play therapy: how do we protect a child's confidentiality while reassuring parents who are worried about being kept in the dark? When a child shares somethi... more

15 Oct 2026 • 13 min

441 | Do You Really Trust the Child? (What Landreth Teaches Us About Trusting Children)

In this episode, I return to the topic of limit setting, but this time I'm focusing on something even more foundational than the ACT process itself: trust. Drawing from a powerful email from a fellow CCPT and passages from Landreth's Play Therapy: Th... more

13 Oct 2026 • 22 min

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Recent Guests

Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

Licensed marriage and family therapist, psychologist, and board-certified coach specializing in growth and family dynamics, particularly during transitions like divorce.

Growing Self Counseling

Episode: 283 | Supporting Parents Through Divorce: A Conversation with Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby

Dr. Brandy Schumann

Creator of the BoA (Bobo), a pivotal toy in play therapy.

Episode: Special Interview: Dr. Brandy Schumann, Creator of the 2nd Most Important Toy in the Playroom... the "BoA" (AKA "Bobo")

Dr. Jodi Mullen

Specializes in child-centered supervision and play therapy

Integrative Counseling Services

Episode: The Inside Track on CCPT Supervision: Why Theoretical Alignment Matters - Part 2 of My Chat with Dr. Jodi Mullen

Host

Dr. Brenna Hicks

Host specializing in child-centered play therapy, delivering expert CCPT coaching and master-class style content.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 262 ratings

Just what I needed
This is an amazing podcast if you are going to work with children. I am in graduate school to be in LMFT, working with children. This is really sold me on the child center model and walked me through (in such a practical way) how to implement it, one step at a time. This podcast should be a requirement in all graduate school programs. Start with episode one and listen to them all the way through.
Apple Podcasts
5
LMFT Grad School Intern
United States6 months ago
Great show
I love this podcast and as a counsellor I find the material relatable and informative. Dr. Hicks is a great speaker and keeps the episodes interesting. I would love to see longer episodes deep diving specific topics as I’m often left wanting more!
Apple Podcasts
5
Blundrigan
Canada8 months ago
Changed my life and my practice
Brenna has changed my therapy practice working with kids. I had studied nondirective CCPT over 20 years ago, but this podcast reignited my passion and provided the practical support I needed to move forward and be fully CCPT with my clients. I had been frustrated with other therapeutic approaches that were not working with my clients, but since I’ve been CCPT compliant, with Brenna’s help and the help of this community, I have seen children grow and change unlike I have ever seen before.
Apple Podcasts
5
Sarah JB 81
United States2 years ago
Men for CCPT
I’ve been working with children and young adults for 8 years and I’m just now learning about CCPT. This podcast has revived my love for giving therapy to children.
Apple Podcasts
5
jet614
United States2 years ago
Rare, expert resource - I can’t believe it’s free!
This TRULY is a master class in the CCTP approach! If the Child-Centered approach is a good fit for you and children you work with, or even something you are just curious to learn more about, this podcast is so educational and interesting and well worth the time for clinicians at all levels. As a die-hard CCPT devotee, this free education is like a dream - and it’s not always easy to find CCPT supervision, mentorship, or community. Thank you, Dr. Hicks!
Apple Podcasts
5
jenna XO
United States2 years ago

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Listeners Say

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

The host's expertise and clear explanations consistently come through in reviews.

Listeners appreciate the focus on unconditional acceptance and staying true to CCPT principles.

Clinicians value the real-world case coaching and community-building aspects.

This show provides practical CCPT guidance that's easy to implement.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts	#11	United States/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#44	United Kingdom/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#94	Canada/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#10	Australia/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#9	United Arab Emirates/Education/Courses
Apple Podcasts	#13	Israel/Education/Courses

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

442 | When Parents Feel Kept in the Dark: Protecting Confidentiality in CCPT

Q: When it is not abuse, how do you bring comfort to parents who are concerned about their children hiding important information from them, while still setting the expectation that it is not the therapist's role or ethical to disclose what a child shares in session?

Hicks advises therapists to clearly explain confidentiality from the beginning, share broad themes and progress rather than details, and reassure parents that children may withhold feelings to protect loved ones. A therapist's neutral relationship gives children a safe place to express themselves.

440 | Do AI-Generated Notes Have a Place in Child-Centered Play Therapy?

Q: Can you speak to the idea of using AI for notes in the playroom?

The host argues that AI cannot capture the symbolic, thematic, and interpersonal nuances of play therapy and warns that relying on AI for notes risks misrepresenting a child's play and the therapeutic process; clinicians should rely on direct, in-room observation and clinical judgment rather than automated summaries.

435 | When a Child Cheats Because They Have to Win: What's Really Happening in the Playroom?

Q: What are your thoughts? How can I help this child realize that not winning is okay?

Discuss with Tara (and the audience) that not winning is not about lowering standards but about building coping skills, self-concept, and frustration tolerance within the CCPT framework. Emphasize reflecting the child's feelings, offering neutral acknowledgment when rules are changed, and providing encouragement regardless of the result to separate self-worth from performance.

429 | "All We Do Is Play": When an Anxious Child Wants to Quit Therapy

Q: Would you continue the sessions without bringing the topic up?

The host suggests not pressing the child or forcing a discussion about therapy being unhelpful; instead, you acknowledge avoidance and resistance as a normal phase, validate the parent's concerns, and trust that the child will engage when ready, using CCPT to progressively address anxiety rather than pushing for verbal disclosure.

427 | How Anxiety Shows Up—and Changes—in the Playroom

Q: What approach should I take with a child who has previously felt therapy was unhelpful and their anxiety increased after prior sessions?

Frame the new session as a different kind of engagement by emphasizing a neutral, play-based space where the child is in control, and explicitly acknowledge prior experiences while reaffirming the child's autonomy within the playroom.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show is a focused, practical guide to Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) with a strong emphasis on applying Rogers' person-centered principles to play-based work with children. Episodes frequently tackle clinical challenges in CCPT, from navigating resistance and regression to managing anxiety, trauma, and family dynamics, all while preserving a child-led, non-directive stance. Listeners get concrete in-session strategies, case-based coaching, and resources for building community among practitioners, parents, and educators who are dedicated to CCPT. A notable strength is the consistent emphasis on unconditional acceptance, fidelity to the model, and the value of relational depth over directorial approaches, making it appealing to clini... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
2. The Baffling Behavior Show {Parenting after Trauma}
3. Therapy Chat
4. Lessons from the Playroom
5. Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 4 years ago and published 444 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 this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby
2. Dr. Brandy Schumann
3. Dr. Jodi Mullen

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