The Kid Counselor

The Kid Counselor A world full of happy kids through play therapy. Tune in to our podcasts for parents and therapists.

08/29/2025

We only move to the ultimate limit after three failed attempts to comply. Many parents and practitioners phrase this as a threat, rather than a choice. That teaches fear.

Instead, the child chooses the outcome.
“If you color on the dollhouse, you choose not to play with it the rest of the session. If you choose not to color on it, you choose to keep playing. Which do you choose?”

The decision—and the outcome—belong to the child. And while we as therapists always hope for the positive outcome, sometimes they choose the alternative.

Listen to the fill episode here: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com/art-of-the-session-the-act-of-setting-limits/

"Children's behaviors will naturally change for the better, if relationship is established" For more information on CCP...
08/29/2025

"Children's behaviors will naturally change for the better, if relationship is established"

For more information on CCPT Training, visit www.playtherapynow.com

08/28/2025

CCPT isn’t just about knowing skills—it’s about practicing them until they become second nature.

Think of a scenario you know will happen one day: a child dumps sand in your hair, a child spits in your face, a child throws a block at you. Now, rehearse your limit.

What’s the first part you’d say? The second? The third?
Say it out loud. Notice if your tone slips, if your words aren’t neutral, or if you miss the feeling or the choice. Then adjust, and say it again.

This is the difference between just practicing and perfect practice. We can’t refine our CCPT skills without intentional, accurate practice.

Perfect practice makes perfect.

Listen to the full episode here: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com/art-of-the-session-the-act-of-setting-limits/

08/28/2025

How do we handle it when a kid asks us what something means? Do we tell them what it the definition, or do we say “oh, you’re curious what that means”?

Kids won’t let us get away with vague answers. Saying “you’re curious what that means” usually isn’t enough. Most kids will push: “Yeah… so what does it mean?” And you’re right back where you started.

Instead of giving a dictionary definition, I give context. For example, when a child didn’t know what relieved meant, I said:
“Oh, you’re not sure what relieved means. Well, you sighed really loud, so I thought you were relieved.”

I didn’t define the word—I explained it through their own experience. That way, the meaning is connected, personal, and sticks.

If you're interested in practical and applicable coaching to grow your CCPT skillset, visit playtherapypro.com and schedule your discovery call with me.

08/28/2025

In Play Therapy Professional, we dive into the sessions where a child refuses to go back to the playroom. But what if that behavior continues for weeks?

My threshold is usually five weeks. Often, staying with mom or dad has become an emotional crutch—an attachment need or a sense of safety.

At that point, I give an ultimate choice:
“If you choose to stay in the lobby, you choose for mom/dad to wait in the car. If you choose to come to the playroom, you choose for them to wait in the lobby.”

It’s never about punishment—it’s about helping the child recognize the impact of their choice, and gently moving them toward growth.

If you’re ready to grow as a CCPT and get real-time coaching and support, schedule your one on one Discovery call with me at www.playtherapynow.com

08/27/2025

Not every child in CCPT will need a limit set.

Limits are only needed when they're needed. Some children can move through treatment without ever encountering one, because the child is safe, we are safe, and toys are not being damaged. Limits exist to protect, not to control.

To listen to the full episode, visit https://www.playtherapypodcast.com/

08/27/2025

One of our biggest responsibilities as CCPTs is advocacy.

Parents want quick results. Teachers want quick change. But growth takes patience, and patience rarely comes naturally.

That’s why we must be the ones who champion waiting—who remind others (and ourselves) that honoring the child’s pace is what makes healing possible.

Want to join the conversation? Start your 2-week free trial today and experience the CCPT Collective for yourself.
https://www.ccptcollective.com

"If we work intentionally on our patience, it manifests itself in more trust of the child and the child's work"On the CC...
08/27/2025

"If we work intentionally on our patience, it manifests itself in more trust of the child and the child's work"

On the CCPT Collective, we dive deeper into what key skills we need to practice to help us stay grounded in the model.

Interested in joining a growth-minded community of CCPTs? Start your 2-week free trial today and experience the CCPT Collective for yourself.
https://www.ccptcollective.com

08/27/2025

In Play Therapy Professional, we dive into the sessions where a child refuses to leave the car, wants to stat on the lobby, etc.

Sometimes we think the “real work” only happens inside the playroom. But the truth is, therapeutic growth extends far beyond those four walls.

When a child is with you, they’re still leading. They still know what they need. They’re still working through their world in ways that matter.

Child-Centered Play Therapy isn’t confined to a room. It’s the relationship, the safety, and the trust that make it effective—wherever the child happens to be.

If you’re ready to grow your confidence as a CCPT and get real-time coaching and support, schedule your one on one Discovery call with me at www.playtherapynow.com

08/26/2025

When you reflect feelings, avoid filling the sentence with fluff words.

It’s simply: “You are [emotion].”

Your goal is to give the child the exact word adults use to describe their inner experience—building their emotional vocabulary. The cleaner and more direct your reflection, the more effectively it helps the child develop emotional awareness and emotional IQ.

Listen to the full episode on your preferred podcast player, or visit https://www.playtherapypodcast.com/art-of-the-session-reflecting-feelings-with-effectiveness-and-precision-in-ccpt/

Looking to master CPRT with parents in a confident and competent way? Mastering CPRT is an extensive CEU, that teaches t...
08/26/2025

Looking to master CPRT with parents in a confident and competent way?

Mastering CPRT is an extensive CEU, that teaches the clinical information needed, as well as the practical application of CPRT with parents. Hosted by CoreWellness, this on demand-course offers 16 CE hours!

For more information, visit playtherapynow.com.

08/25/2025

In Play Therapy Professional, we dive into behaviors in the playroom as well as what to anticipate with those children.

For example, when we’re working with anxious kids. We hope to see fear-facing play with anxious kids because it signals that they’re beginning to confront their anxiety.

Fear-facing play looks different from general anxious themes. It’s specific, targeted, and tied to an actual fear. For example, a child who has always avoided climbing the stool to reach a game on the top shelf suddenly decides to try. While climbing, they may say, “This is scary!”—but they’re still doing it. That’s the essence of fear-facing play: the fear is present, but the child chooses courage anyway.

If you're ready to take your CCPT skills to the next level, schedule your discovery call today at https://www.playtherapypro.com/get-certified/

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