Rephonic
Artwork for Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast

Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast

Julie and Philippa
Play Therapy
Play
Trauma
Mental Health
Therapy
Theraplay
Foster Care
Attachment Theory
Social Work
CAMHS
Resistance
Parenting
Child Development
Education
Covid-19
Sand Tray
Window Of Tolerance
Theatre
Restorative Practice
London

In a world where play can be seen as frivolous or unnecessary, Julie and Philippa set out to explore its importance in our everyday lives.Pondering play and therapy, both separately but also the inter-connectedness that play can in its own right be the very therapy we need. Julie and Philippa have many years of experience playing, both in their extensive professional careers and their personal liv... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes82Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Mental HealthHealth & FitnessKids & FamilyParenting

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast

Latest Episodes

Julie interviews play therapist and social work lecturer Pete Ayling about how playfulness supports understanding, empathy, and perspective-taking for children and adults. Pete describes his roles teaching social work students, supervising play thera... more

Philippa interviews Lee Smith, a mental health nurse with 30 years’ experience in Tier 4 inpatient children’s services, whose NHS roles included ward management, clinical specialist and consultant posts. Lee describes entering nursing via an interest... more

In this episode of Pondering Play and Therapy, host Philippa interviews Dr. Lisa Cherry—author, speaker, researcher, and consultant—about trauma, adversity, attachment, and compassionate responses to behavior. Cherry shares how her childhood experien... more

In this episode of Pondering Play and Therapy, the hosts discuss how “mistakes” in therapeutic work never fully go away and are better understood as learning opportunities. They reflect on recent examples of making unhelpful assumptions in play thera... 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.

Similar Podcasts

Recent Guests

Pete Ayling
Social work lecturer, play therapy supervisor, external examiner, PhD in empathy in social work practice
University (UK) / play therapy practice
Episode: Unlocking Empathy: Play as a Catalyst in Therapy and Social Work. With Pete Ayling
Lee Smith
Qualified mental health nurse with 30 years in-patient CAMHS
Consultancy in children's residential care services (West Midlands)
Episode: Pathways to Recovery: Lee Smith on Reforming Children's Mental Health
Dr. Lisa Cherry
Author, speaker, researcher and consultant focused on trauma, attachment, adversity
Episode: Beyond the Behavior: Understanding Trauma with Compassion. Dr Lisa Cherry
Jeanne McLaughlin
Play therapist and trainer at With Kids, Glasgow
With Kids
Episode: From Aggression to Expression: A Play Therapist's Journey. A conversation with Jeanne McLaughlin
Margot Sunderland
Director of Education and Training at the Centre for Mental Health London; Co-Director Trauma Informed Schools UK; author and educator in child mental health
Centre for Mental Health London; Trauma Informed Schools UK
Episode: Unlocking the Sandbox: Therapy Through Play. A conversation with Margot Sunderland.
Becky Webb
Avid listener with professional interest in play therapy
Episode: EP77 Therapeutic Journeys: Q&A with Listener Becky Webb
Steph Hunter
Social worker and therapist specializing in cared-for children
Relational network; Canada keynote speaker
Episode: EP73 Beyond Borders: Healing Through Play and Therapy with Steph Hunter
Tim Woodhouse
Founder/lead clinician at Tiptoes Child Therapy Services; author
Tiptoes Child Therapy Services
Episode: EP72 Beyond Words: The Role of Metaphor in Healing Trauma; A conversation with Tim Woodhouse
Louise Robertson
Founder of The Sustainables Academy; lecturer at Aberdeen University
The Sustainables Academy
Episode: EP71 Empowering Futures: Playful Sustainability Education; An interview with Louise Robertson

Hosts

Philippa
Host with background in therapy and play-based approaches; frequently involved in discussions around Theraplay and trauma-informed care.
Julie
Co-host and interviewer guiding conversations with guests; focuses on practical applications of play in therapy and parenting.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 19 ratings
  • Enjoyed.

    Thank you

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tink-ava!
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Brilliant!

    Another fab episode! Thank you Philippa and Julie đź’ś

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Packblast
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Amazing!

    Great podcast guys!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Benply
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Pondering play and therapy

    Thoroughly enjoyed the first episode. Clear concise information well delivered. Easy to listen to and understand. Nice relationship between the presenters. Look forward to the next episode

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tomisepick
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • Loved it!

    So important for us to be reminded to play and to acknowledge our feelings. Thank you Philippa and Julie. Looking forward to the next one.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KPalf
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The show consistently reinforces humane, family-centered approaches to care.
Episodes balance clinical insight with real-world applicability, making techniques feel doable.
Guests are expert and relatable, helping translate complex concepts.
Conversations feel warm, collaborative, and informative for practitioners and parents alike.
Listeners appreciate the practical, trauma-informed lens on play and therapy.

Top Mental Health Podcasts

Happy Place
Happy PlaceFearne Cotton
The Wellness Scoop
The Wellness ScoopThe Wellness Scoop
ADHD Chatter
ADHD ChatterAlex Partridge
On The Mend
On The MendHigh Performance
But Are You Happy?
But Are You Happy?Mamamia Podcasts
Therapy Works
Therapy WorksThe Times

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Unlocking Empathy: Play as a Catalyst in Therapy and Social Work. With Pete Ayling
Q: Where is play in your life now?
Pete explains that play occupies multiple facets of his life, from art and literature to outdoor activities, and that these playful engagements underpin his professional approach by keeping him connected to embodied and symbolic modes of expression.
EP77 Therapeutic Journeys: Q&A with Listener Becky Webb
Q: How do we best support children and families who've experienced a bereavement, including the loss of a pet or a family member?
Support often involves being alongside the child in a natural grieving process, recognizing that some families need guidance on when and how therapy fits into bereavement, and sometimes continuing an ongoing relationship rather than imposing a fixed waiting period.
EP77 Therapeutic Journeys: Q&A with Listener Becky Webb
Q: Okay. So one of my questions, is it okay to work with families and children when they're in periods of transition?
Yes, it is often appropriate to engage during transitions; the therapy may focus on relationship building, secure base, and supporting the child and carers, with a flexible approach that balances the needs of the child and family and the realities of the placement.
Unlocking the Sandbox: Therapy Through Play. A conversation with Margot Sunderland.
Q: What should a parent or teacher understand about using metaphor in therapy with children?
Metaphor softens direct confrontation, making it easier for children to engage with painful experiences. Therapists listen for the story the child is telling and may respond with a metaphorical narrative or a therapeutic story, which can later be translated into concrete insights and actions the child can take, fostering healing without overwhelming them.
Ep29 Play and Residential Care; an interview with Angela Griffiths
Q: How does the residential sector support children and manage risks while fostering autonomy?
Support is built on strong, trusted relationships, clear boundaries, and opportunities for children to have a say in their plans. Risk assessment should be developmental and proportionate, allowing managed risk that helps build resilience rather than overprotecting, and ensuring that decisions involve the child's perspective as much as possible.

Audience Metrics

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast

What is Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful exploration of how play, therapy, and relational approaches support children and families in challenging contexts. Recent episodes center on trauma-informed care, attachment, and family-led healing, with guests ranging from social workers and therapists to educators focused on child development and well-being. The show frequently discusses practical strategies for working within systems, sustaining caregivers, and using play as a legitimate developmental pathway, not just a lighthearted activity. Its strength lies in translating clinical and educational concepts into relatable, real-world approaches for practitioners, families, and educators, with an emphasis on humane, relationship-centered care and collaborative problem-solvi... more

Where can I find podcast stats for Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for four million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast:

1. Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
2. The Rest Is Entertainment
3. We Need To Talk with Paul C. Brunson
4. RedHanded
5. In The Dark

How many episodes of Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast are there?

Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast launched 2 years ago and published 82 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast?

Recent guests on Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast include:

1. Pete Ayling
2. Lee Smith
3. Dr. Lisa Cherry
4. Jeanne McLaughlin
5. Margot Sunderland
6. Becky Webb
7. Steph Hunter
8. Tim Woodhouse

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days