384 | Stop Trying to Figure Out the Play: A Reminder for CCPT Therapists

In this episode, I address a growing trend I've been seeing among therapists—trying to interpret, analyze, and "figure out" what a child's play means. I understand the desire to make sense of themes, especially when we're trying to communicate progress to parents. But in child-centered play therapy, that instinct can actually pull us away from what matters most. When we start making assumptions or drawing conclusions, we move out of the present moment and into our heads, which takes us out of true engagement with the child.

I explain why it is not our job to interpret or assign meaning to a child's play, and how doing so can lead us down inaccurate or unnecessary paths. Instead, our role is to stay grounded in what we know—what the child is doing, saying, and feeling—and remain fully adherent to the model. CCPT works because of the relationship and the process, not because we understand every detail of what's happening. This episode is a reminder to release the pressure to figure it all out and to trust that fidelity to the model is enough.

PlayTherapyNow.com is my HUB for everything I do! playtherapynow.com. Sign up for my email newsletter, stay ahead with the latest CCPT CEU courses, personalized coaching opportunities and other opportunities you need to thrive in your CCPT practice. If you click one link in these show notes, this is the one to click!

Topical Playlists! All of the podcasts are now grouped into topical playlists on YouTube. Please go to https://www.youtube.com/kidcounselorbrenna/playlists to view them.

If you would like to ask me questions directly, check out www.ccptcollective.com, where I host two weekly Zoom calls filled with advanced CCPT case studies and session reviews, as well as member Q&A. You can take advantage of the two-week free trial to see if the CCPT Collective is right for you.

Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com Brenna's CCPT Hub: https://www.playtherapynow.com CCPT Collective (online community exclusively for CCPTs): https://www.ccptcollective.com Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com APT Approved Play Therapy CE courses: https://childcenteredtraining.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/playtherapypodcast

Common References: Cochran, N., Nordling, W., & Cochran, J. (2010). Child-Centered Play Therapy (1st ed.). Wiley. VanFleet, R., Sywulak, A. E., & Sniscak, C. C. (2010). Child-centered play therapy. Guilford Press. Landreth, G.L. (2023). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship (4th ed.). Routledge. Landreth, G.L., & Bratton, S.C. (2019). Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT): An Evidence-Based 10-Session Filial Therapy Model (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315537948 Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.