In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I talk about one of the biggest fears parents have after things begin improving: "What if we go backwards?" When life becomes calmer and more regulated, many parents worry that their child could suddenly return to the same level of anxiety, aggression, or emotional chaos they experienced before therapy. I explain why that fear is understandable—but why true growth in child-centered play therapy does not simply disappear.

I introduce the concept of reverse Pandora's box to explain how healing works in CCPT. Children cannot "unlearn" the coping skills, resilience, emotional vocabulary, self-esteem, and regulation they develop through the therapeutic process. Once those capacities are built, they become part of who the child is moving forward. While children may still face hard seasons or need occasional "booster" sessions, they are never starting back at zero. This episode is meant to encourage parents that the growth their child experiences is lasting and continues to serve them long after therapy ends.

Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com
My Book: Device Detox: A Parent's Guide To Reducing Usage, Preventing Tantrums, And Raising Happier Kids - https://a.co/d/bThnKH9
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/
My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/
My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

Common References:
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.

In this episode, I answer a question from a mom whose child is currently in play therapy and making great progress, but who is also considering adding occupational therapy. I explain why we have to be thoughtful anytime we add multiple therapies into a child's schedule. Therapy of any kind is hard work for kids—emotionally, mentally, and sometimes physically—and it's easy for children to become overwhelmed, overscheduled, and over-therapized without us realizing it.

I also talk through two other important considerations. First, when we change multiple things at once, it becomes difficult to know what is actually helping. Second, different therapies often operate from very different philosophies and expectations, which can be confusing for children to navigate simultaneously. In this episode, I explain why there can be value in slowing down, changing one thing at a time, and carefully considering what your child truly needs most in a given season.

Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com
My Book: Device Detox: A Parent's Guide To Reducing Usage, Preventing Tantrums, And Raising Happier Kids - https://a.co/d/bThnKH9
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/
My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/
My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

Common References:
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.

In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I explain one of the most important shifts that happens for children in the play therapy process—the change in their internal dialogue. Many children start with a fear-based mindset that sounds like "oh no, what if," where they feel powerless, overwhelmed, and unsure they can handle what might happen. This often shows up as anxiety, avoidance, or negative self-talk. It's not always spoken out loud, but it drives how they think, feel, and respond to the world.

Over time, as children build self-esteem, resilience, and problem-solving skills, that internal dialogue begins to change. Instead of assuming the worst, they begin to think, "I hope that doesn't happen, but if it does, I'll be okay." This shift reflects growing confidence, trust in themselves, and the belief that they can handle challenges. In this episode, I help you understand what that change looks like and how it develops, so you can recognize it in your child and support it through how you respond and interact with them.

Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com
My Book: Device Detox: A Parent's Guide To Reducing Usage, Preventing Tantrums, And Raising Happier Kids - https://a.co/d/bThnKH9
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/
My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/
My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

Common References:
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.

In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I explain why a child's growth and healing process is not linear, even though we often expect it to be. As adults, we tend to think in straight lines—progress should move steadily forward. But children don't think or process that way. As they work through emotions and experiences, their path looks much more like a roller coaster, with twists, turns, and moments that feel like they're going backward. What can feel confusing or discouraging is often a normal part of how children process and grow.

I walk through how to reframe those moments when progress seems to stall or regress. Even when behavior feels chaotic or unpredictable, children are still moving in a positive direction overall. The goal is to trust the process, stay patient, and recognize that those ups and downs are part of the journey—not signs that something is wrong. This episode helps you understand what to expect so you can stay grounded and confident as your child works through change.

Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com
My Book: Device Detox: A Parent's Guide To Reducing Usage, Preventing Tantrums, And Raising Happier Kids - https://a.co/d/bThnKH9
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/
My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/
My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

Common References:
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.

In this episode, I answer a question from a mom about her child taking things that don't belong to her. I explain that while this behavior can feel alarming, it is actually very common in childhood and is usually tied to development, impulse, and a child's desire to meet a need in the moment. Children often understand that taking things is wrong, but they don't yet have the ability to reason through that impulse or regulate it effectively. What looks like stealing is often a combination of desire, limited self-control, and not yet having the words to express what they want or feel.

I also walk through how to respond in a way that teaches responsibility without creating shame. Validating the child's desire, setting clear limits, and offering choices that actually connect to what the child wants are key. When behavior continues, consequences can be appropriate, but they should be temporary and focused on helping the child develop internal responsibility—not just compliance. The goal is for the child to eventually choose not to take things because they understand and regulate themselves, not because they are being monitored.

Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com
My Book: Device Detox: A Parent's Guide To Reducing Usage, Preventing Tantrums, And Raising Happier Kids - https://a.co/d/bThnKH9
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/
My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/
My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

Common References:
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.

In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I introduce a visual way to understand your child's behavior before and after child-centered play therapy — what I call The Wave Model: From Tsunami to Tide. Before children develop the skills to regulate, communicate, and make sense of their emotions, their behavior often shows up in extremes. The highs are very high, the lows are very low, and everything feels intense, overwhelming, and difficult to manage.

As children build emotional vocabulary, regulation, self-esteem, and a broader understanding of their world, those extremes begin to settle. The waves don't disappear, but they become calmer, more predictable, and easier to recover from. Instead of sharp spikes, behavior begins to look more like gentle, steady waves. The goal isn't to eliminate emotion, but to move from overwhelming intensity to manageable experiences — from tsunami-level reactions to a more balanced, regulated tide.

Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com
My Book: Device Detox: A Parent's Guide To Reducing Usage, Preventing Tantrums, And Raising Happier Kids - https://a.co/d/bThnKH9
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/
My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/
My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

Common References:
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.

In this episode, I explain the concept of the pendulum swing and why it is such an important picture for understanding what happens in child-centered play therapy. When children have felt powerless in everyday life, the permissive playroom gives them a chance to experience the opposite. They are allowed to take charge, make decisions, and even swing all the way into dictatorial power. That can look extreme, but it is actually part of the healing process. Children are testing what power feels like because they have spent so much of life feeling like they had none.

Over time, they discover that neither extreme feels good. Having no power feels awful, but having all the power feels awful too. Through the freedom of the playroom and the safety of the therapeutic relationship, children learn that balance is what actually feels right. This is how regulation develops. They move from black-and-white extremes toward a healthy middle, and that process helps parents understand why children may seem to "ping pong" for a while before they settle.

Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com
My Book: Device Detox: A Parent's Guide To Reducing Usage, Preventing Tantrums, And Raising Happier Kids - https://a.co/d/bThnKH9
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/
My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/
My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

Common References:
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.

In this episode, I explain the concept of the anger iceberg and how it completely changes the way we understand our children's behavior. What we see on the surface—yelling, hitting, defiance, aggression—is often just a small piece of what's actually going on. Underneath that anger is something much bigger: hurt, disappointment, fear, frustration, or overwhelm. Kids don't choose anger because it's accurate—they choose it because it feels powerful and helps them avoid vulnerability.

When we only react to the anger, we miss what our child is really trying to communicate. But when we pause and look beneath the surface, we can respond to the true emotion instead of the behavior. This shift helps our children feel seen and understood, which is what actually reduces the outbursts over time. My goal in this episode is to help you see past the behavior so you can connect with what your child is really experiencing—and respond in a way that helps, not escalates.

Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com
My Book: Device Detox: A Parent's Guide To Reducing Usage, Preventing Tantrums, And Raising Happier Kids - https://a.co/d/bThnKH9
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/
My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/
My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

Common References:
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.