In this episode, I talk about a common mistake we make in parent consults—giving parents too much, too fast, and expecting them to implement it successfully. I explain how this often comes from our own desire to "have something to say" or to be helpful, but it actually sets parents up for failure. Instead of equipping them, we overwhelm them. I walk through why parent engagement matters so much in CCPT, but also why it has to be done thoughtfully, gradually, and in a way that matches the parent's capacity in that moment.

I introduce the concept of "drip feeding" information—giving parents small, manageable pieces they can actually apply, rather than unloading multiple skills or frameworks all at once. Sometimes the most impactful guidance isn't a technique at all, but a mindset shift, like preserving the relationship or focusing on what's present instead of what's missing. When we slow down and meet parents where they are—just like we do with children—we build trust, increase buy-in, and create real change over time. This episode is a reminder that how we teach parents matters just as much as what we teach them.

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.

In this episode, I revisit the concept of Adulthood Bias and explain why it continues to show up so frequently in how adults interact with children. At its core, Adulthood Bias is the tendency to forget what it's like to be a child—emotional, present-focused, and without the capacity for abstract reasoning—and instead expect children to think and respond like adults. I connect this idea back to Piaget's developmental stages to show that this isn't just a perspective shift—it's grounded in what we know about how children actually develop.

I also walk through how Adulthood Bias plays out in everyday moments, both in families and in the playroom, and why it leads to frustration, misinterpretation, and unrealistic expectations. When we expect children to "be reasonable," explain themselves, or regulate like adults, we're asking them to do something they are not developmentally capable of. This episode is a reminder that our role is to meet children where they are—not where we wish they could be—and to help parents understand this shift as well. When we can clearly articulate Adulthood Bias, it becomes one of the most powerful tools we have for advocating for children and explaining why CCPT works.

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.

In this episode, I answer a question about how to communicate with children regarding two important parts of the play therapy process: meeting with parents and taking notes during sessions. I explain why it's critical to set clear expectations from the very first session, using that brief window to establish predictability, transparency, and trust. When children understand upfront that I meet with their caregivers periodically—and why—that foundation helps prevent confusion or anxiety later on. I also talk through how to revisit that information in simple, age-appropriate ways so children always feel informed and secure in the relationship.

I also address how to explain note-taking in a way that feels safe and non-threatening to children. I emphasize being truthful, neutral, and consistent—letting children know they can always ask what I've written and that nothing is hidden or "bad." When we present this information with confidence and clarity, children don't become preoccupied or suspicious. Ultimately, this episode is about preserving trust through transparency, giving kids age-appropriate truth, and maintaining a steady, grounded presence that reinforces the safety of the therapeutic relationship.

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.