
Welcome to playful beginnings. Within this podcast, Dr. Kristie Opiola and Dr. Maggie Parker explore the magic of play therapy, the why behind what we do, and how play therapy helps children heal and grow. This podcast is helpful for current play therapists, students and professionals interested in working with children or becoming play therapists, and anyone who is interested in creating transfor... more
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 101 | Founded | 2 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Mental HealthHealth & FitnessRelationshipsSociety & Culture | |||

We heard you- you are having a hard time knowing what to say in your notes. We've got you!
There isn't a script you can use for CCPT notes- it is dependent upon the child, the relationship, the play- but we can help you conceptualize how it may wor... more
Notes include a lot more than what happens in sessions and the conceptualization of clients. These include custody agreements, divorce decrees, releases of information, auxiliary notes detailing conversations, emails, CPS reports. All of these things... more
Clipboard in hand or fully in the moment? 🧸✨
In this episode of Playful Beginnings, we’re diving into one of the most debated topics in child therapy: Should play therapists take notes during a session?
On one hand, real-time documentation capture... more
How do you capture non-verbal play, behavioral themes, and clinical progress clearly in a progress note? 🎨📋
In this week's episode of Playful Beginnings, we dive deep into the fundamentals of play therapy documentation. We share simple frameworks ... more
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I happened to find this show in such an indirect way and am sharing it with my fellow CCPT therapists. I love its gentle but loyal adherence to the CCPT model. It can be easy to fall into the trap of trying to “follow the rules” of child centered play therapy and adversely impact the relationship between child and therapist. Thank you for having a softer approach while still remaining grounded in theory. Keep going with podcast! Listeners will find you!!
Also, Please have Dee Ray on again and a... more
Absolutely love this podcast! The hosts are warm, knowledgeable, and passionate about child-centered play therapy. Every episode strikes a great balance between theory and real-world application, making it practical for both new and experienced clinicians. Their insights are grounded, thoughtful, and immediately useful in the playroom. A must-listen for anyone who works with children in a therapeutic setting!
Fantastic intro to all things play therapy for anyone interested in learning more or starting out in working with children in therapeutic spaces! Will be sharing with my graduate interns and other therapists new to creating safe and healing relationships with children.
Dr. Parker is so clear and helpful in her explanations of child behavior and her advice for parents is insightful and spot on!
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.









Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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This program centers on child-centered play therapy and its applications across clinical, educational, and family contexts. Hosts Dr. Kristie Opiola and Dr. Maggie Parker blend practical how-tos with research-grounded discussion, covering CCPT, CPRT, school-based therapy, parent collaboration, and tools that help kids regulate emotions and build healthy relationships. Episodes frequently feature guidance for therapists working with families, strategies for classrooms and administrators, and explorations of how play-based approaches impact anxiety, behavior, and academics. A standout trait is the strong emphasis on relational approaches, real-world implementation, and evidence-informed practices—making it a solid fit for clinicians, educator... more
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These podcasts share a similar audience with Playful Beginnings:
1. Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
2. Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist
3. Lessons from the Playroom
4. Good Inside with Dr. Becky
5. The Play Therapy Circle
Playful Beginnings launched 2 years ago and published 101 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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Recent guests on Playful Beginnings include:
1. Ahou Line
2. Dr. Jenna Taylor
3. Dr. Kristi Perryman
4. Kristi Perryman
5. PJ Blanco
6. Lisa Rice
7. Elisabeth Rice
8. Regine Chung
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