Episode 6: Supporting Teens and Young Adults Through Play and Books

In this final episode of Pages in Play, we explore the transformative journey from adolescence into young adulthood—and how bibliotherapy and play therapy can support young people through this complex stage.Teenagers are navigating big questions around identity, belonging, relationships, and purpose. In this episode, we unpack how stories and play create safe, powerful spaces for self-exploration, emotional processing, and connection.We discuss: Why adolescence may extend into the early 30s—and what that means for parenting and support  How books help teens explore identity, reduce isolation, and build emotional insight  The evolving role of play therapy for teenagers (it’s not just toys!)  Practical ways to connect with teens, including walking “book clubs” and shared activities  A powerful real-life case study illustrating how play therapy supports grief, anxiety, and identity formation  Thoughtfully curated book recommendations to support teens navigating identity, relationships, and mental health We close the series with reflections, gratitude, and ways to continue the conversation.⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters01:05 – Introduction & why adolescence is a key developmental stage02:00 – Teen identity: “Who am I?” and the role of narrative03:22 – Research on adolescence extending into the early 30s04:30 – Brain development, hormones & emotional shifts in teens09:53 – What play therapy looks like for teenagers13:34 – Giving teens agency in reading choices16:29 – Case study: Willow (from Counting by Sevens)18:00 – Anxiety, identity, grief & transitions in adolescence20:00 – Inside the therapy room: observation, resistance & trust-building24:00 – The importance of endings in therapy and development25:46 – Narrative therapy & re-authoring your story28:20 – Staying connected: curiosity, presence & shared experiences29:21 – Book recommendations for teens (identity, belonging, mental health)38:52 – Final reflections on the series40:41 – Closing thoughts & goodbyeBook RecommendationsAre you there, God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume.Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg SloanEvery Day by David LevithanTurtles All the Way Down by John GreenHeartstopper by Alice OsemanThe Final Year & The First Year by Matt GoodfellowAristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire SáenzBibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading by Bijal ShahThe Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo Support the show-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Find out more at Book Therapy or Play RefugeOr email us at [email protected] or [email protected]