The Play Therapy Circle

🎉 Happy 1st Birthday, Play Therapy Circle! + Our First-Ever ConferenceIt's officially been 12 months since The Play Therapy Circle podcast began and in this special milestone episode, host Kylie Ellison (therapist, clinical supervisor, and play therapy trainer) is celebrating with a shorter, more personal episode recorded on the run between training sessions.In this episode, Kylie reflects on:🎙️ A whirlwind first year - reaching listeners in 72 countries every week via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and beyond💚 Why she started the podcast: to represent Australia in the Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) space and share her passion for this work with the wider community🌏 Gratitude for the incredible global community that has grown around the show, including regular listeners from the US, UK, Ireland, Germany, and New Zealand📈 Landing in the top 25% of podcasts worldwide by the end of last year🤝 The privilege of connecting with supervisees and practitioners navigating the challenges of play therapy work✨ Why she believes anyone doing this hard, emotional work needs to know: you are not alone, and what you do matters🎊 Big News: Our First-Ever Conference!Kylie announces the very first Play Therapy Circle Conference, a two-day, in-person event this October at The Ridges, South Bank, Brisbane, featuring the incredible Dr. Jodie Mullen (Kylie's own clinical supervisor and a recent podcast guest). Expect sessions on working with parents, compassion fatigue, and burnout, plus the chance to connect with fellow CCPT practitioners from around the world.🎁 Win a Free Ticket!Head to our Instagram or Facebook (@ThePlayTherapyCirclePodcast), follow along, and tag a friend or colleague in our pinned "Win a Free Ticket" post to enter. Tag as many people as you like for multiple entries! Can't make it in person? Stay tuned — recordings will be made available.Whether you've been with us since day one or just found the show, thank you for being part of this community. Here's to the next 12 months of CCPT conversations, connection, and growth.💛 Follow, share, and leave a review to help others find the circle.📍 Play Therapy Circle Conference 2026 - Kylie Ellison Therapy & TrainingThis podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not provide therapeutic advice. All views expressed are Kylie's own; any case examples shared have been de-identified to protect privacy.

For our very first guest interview on The Play Therapy Circle Podcast, host Kylie Ellison sits down with the incredible Dr. Jodi Mullen, a professor in the counselling and psychological services department at SUNY Oswego, where she has worked as a counsellor educator for nearly 30 years. Jodi is the founder and director of Integrative Counselling Services, a registered play therapy supervisor, a CCPT Master, an internationally sought-after trainer and speaker, and the recipient of the Association for Play Therapy's Key Award for professional training and education. She has also been Kylie's own clinical supervisor for several years, and it shows in the ease and honesty of this conversation.Jodi reflects on entering the play therapy field back in 1994, at a time when the profession was barely known, even within the mental health community. She talks about how far things have come since then, with a growing evidence base, wider public awareness, and more practitioners specialising in theoretical approaches like child-centred play therapy. She's candid, though, that calling yourself child-centred and actually practising with fidelity to the model are two very different things, and that fidelity is what makes the approach genuinely evidence-based.Kylie and Jodi trace the emotional and professional journey of becoming a play therapist, including the vulnerability required to sit with a child's story, the discomfort of learning skills like limit setting for the first time, and the deep self-acceptance work that underpins being able to accept a child exactly as they are. Jodi shares moving stories from her decades in the same community, including former child clients returning to see her as adults, and small, unforgettable moments in the playroom that reveal just how much children pick up on connection and care, even without ever being able to name it themselves.The conversation moves into some of the more complex clinical territory play therapists face: children who present as selectively mute, children who seem almost too compliant and hard to "find" in the room, and the growing pattern of learned helplessness Kylie is noticing in her own practice in Brisbane. Jodi offers a compassionate, curious lens for understanding these presentations rather than viewing them as problems to fix.They also dig into supervision, talking about the qualities Jodi looks for in a supervisee who is going to thrive in this work, including vulnerability, self-awareness, the ability to take feedback, and a genuine sense of humour. From there, the discussion turns to countertransference, which Jodi describes not as something to be avoided or feared, but as a consultant in the room, a signal from the child that deserves attention and care rather than personalisation.Toward the end of the episode, Jodi and Kylie talk openly about compassion fatigue and burnout, and why regulation, boundaries and self-care aren't optional extras in this profession, they're essential to being able to keep showing up for clients. Jodi's advice is simple but sits with you: protect your non-negotiables, learn to say no, and find an accountability partner to help you stick to it.This episode is warm, funny, and full of hard-won wisdom from someone who has spent over three decades in the playroom and still finds it as meaningful as the day she started. Whether you're brand new to play therapy or years into your own practice, there's something here to sit with.Jodi will be joining us in person at the Play Therapy Circle Conference, 24-25 October at Rydges South Bank, Brisbane. Come learn, laugh, and connect with her and the wider play therapy community over two full days. Details and tickets are in the show notes.Play Therapy Circle Conference 2026 - Kylie Ellison Therapy & TrainingCircle Subscriptions - Kylie Ellison Therapy & Training

🎧 Flashback Episode: Self-Care for Play Therapists (A Revisit)We're pulling this one back into your feed because some conversations deserve a second listen, especially when life gets busy and self-care quietly slips down the priority list again. If that's you right now, welcome back to this one.In this episode, Kylie Ellison gets refreshingly honest about what self-care actually looks like in the life of a play therapist, recorded, fittingly, at the tail end of an exhausting Monday, with no polish and no pretending. It's less "10 tips for wellness" and more "here's what's really going on, and maybe you're going through it too."Kylie talks through why self-care isn't a nice-to-have but a professional responsibility, especially for play therapists holding space for children's big emotions, trauma stories, and nervous systems day after day. She shares the cumulative, often invisible toll of that work, and how easily compassion fatigue and burnout can creep in when we're deeply passionate about what we do.The conversation moves through three practical pillars:🔹 Professional self-care: setting boundaries around caseloads, session spacing, admin time, and communication limits (including the "if it's more than two lines, it's an appointment" rule)🔹 Emotional and nervous system care: grounding rituals before and after sessions, post-session processing, and the reminder that a dysregulated therapist can't co-regulate a child🔹 Practical, real-life self-care: hydration, eating, workspace atmosphere, recognising early burnout signs, and building in small moments of joy and connection outside the playroomKylie doesn't offer this as someone who has it all figured out. She's candid about still learning, still working on her own boundaries, and still forgetting to drink water. That honesty is the heart of the episode: a reminder that self-care isn't about doing it perfectly, it's about noticing, adjusting, and starting with just one small thing.If you're feeling tired, stretched thin, or like you've been pouring from an empty cup lately, consider this your permission slip to slow down and check in with yourself today.💛 Take care of you, and take care of each other.This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not provide therapeutic advice. All case examples referenced are de-identified. If you're seeking personal support, please reach out to a qualified mental health professional in your area.

When Parents Push Back: Working with Resistance in Play TherapyYou can have every handout, every strategy, every piece of psychoeducation ready to go, but if the parent sitting across from you is defended, exhausted, and quietly drowning in shame, none of it is going to land. So what do we actually do?Ever sat across from a resistant parent and thought, "If I could just get through to them, everything would shift for this child"? You're not alone, and in this episode, Kylie unpacks one of the most common threads she hears from supervisees: how do we support children when we're not finding movement, insight, or collaboration with their parents?Recording on a beautiful winter's morning on Quandamooka country (yes, you're getting the Brisbane weather update whether you asked for it or not), Kylie shares reflections on why so many parents show up to our clinics exhausted, overscheduled, and carrying an enormous amount of shame, and why the answer, again and again, comes back to connection.In this episode, Kylie explores:Why all roads lead back to relationship. You can have every tool in the world, but without connection, parents simply won't invest in giving your suggestions a go.The contributing factors behind parental defensiveness: guilt and shame (one of the most acute forms of shame in the literature), overwhelm, unresolved childhood history, system pressure, and protection.Why this generation of parents, hello geriatric millennials, are the first expected to re-parent themselves while re-parenting their children, often while working and running a household at the same time.How the tenets of CCPT, empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard, apply just as much to the parents in our consults as they do to the children in our playroom.What it means to "meet children of all ages," including the defended parent who was likely criticised as a child and learned that vulnerability wasn't safe. This is the parallel process: the way we work with children mirrors the way we work with parents.Practical shifts you can make right away: leading with curiosity and wonder statements instead of "you should try," reflecting and validating feelings, sharing playroom wins as gentle invitations, and honouring where a parent sits in the cycle of change.Why countertransference is therapeutic gold, and what your own frustration or irritation might actually be telling you about what's happening for that parent.The "session three" marker Kylie watches for, why early drop-off can sometimes be a better outcome than losing a family twenty sessions in, and how to set collaborative expectations, and hold boundaries, from the very first consult.This is gentle, person-centred reflection for anyone doing the tender work of supporting families. A reminder that we don't need to break through the wall. We just need to make the environment safe enough that the wall doesn't have to work so hard, and to give parents the same patience, empathy, and time we'd offer any child in the playroom.Whether you're a seasoned play therapist, a student just starting out, or someone deeply passionate about working with children, you belong here.Got a play therapy or CCPT question you'd love answered on the pod? Email Kylie. The link's in the show notes, and she'd genuinely love to hear from you.Come join the free community circle to connect with other CCPT practitioners (link in show notes too).If this episode resonated, please follow the podcast, share it with a colleague, or leave a short review. It helps others find the circle.Until next time, look after yourselves and each other. Go well.This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute therapeutic advice. All views are Kylie's own, and any case examples have been de-identified.

Episode 46: Reflecting Feelings (Back to Basics) + Listener Q&A on Post-COVID BabiesIn this episode, Kylie returns to her Back to Basics series to unpack one of the most fundamental and often most challenging skills in child-centred play therapy: reflecting feelings. Coming live from the playroom (beanbag and all), she takes listeners through why this skill can feel so vulnerable for beginning play therapists, even though it's one of the most powerful tools we have for building connection and trust with the children we work with.Kylie breaks down the clinical rationale behind reflecting feelings, explaining how it helps children bridge the gap between what they're feeling internally and the words to express it, something that's neurobiologically difficult for kids and often overlooked by the adults around them. She talks through why feeling seen is one of the most therapeutic experiences a person can have, and how reflecting feelings communicates empathy in a deeply Rogerian, person-centred way.She also walks through the common mistakes practitioners make when reflecting feelings, including turning reflections into questions through tone and inflection, over-reflecting to the point of disconnection, inserting the therapist's own feelings rather than the child's, and reflecting with too much or too little intensity compared to what the child is actually showing. Kylie shares practical guidance on matching pacing, tone, and energy to the child in the room, and how this shifts as the therapeutic relationship develops over time, from co-regulation in early sessions through to the more natural, attuned reflections that come with experience.In the second half of the episode, Kylie answers a thoughtful listener question from Catherine, an early childhood educator, who asks whether children born after COVID are still showing developmental effects of the pandemic, even though they weren't alive during lockdowns themselves. Kylie unpacks the research and clinical observations behind this, covering family stress transmission, parental depletion and reduced co-regulation capacity, perinatal anxiety and depression, the impact of a "reduced village" in many communities, and the role of sibling modeling within the family system. She makes the case for why supporting the whole family, not just the individual child, is essential when working with this generation.In this episode:Why reflecting feelings is one of the hardest skills for beginning play therapists to masterThe clinical and neurobiological reasons reflecting feelings mattersCommon mistakes: questioning tone, over-reflecting, inserting your own feelings, and mismatched intensityHow reflecting feelings evolves as the therapeutic relationship deepensListener Q&A: are post-COVID babies still affected by pandemic-era family stress, even without lockdown exposure?The role of family stress transmission, maternal mental health, and community support in early childhood developmentGot a question or topic you'd love Kylie to explore on the podcast? She'd love to hear from you. This space is for thoughtful, soulful conversations about play-based work, and it's built around the community that listens. Reach out, follow along, and remember, you belong here.

This week's episode is one we didn't plan to record, but one that felt necessary.On the day our community learned of the passing of Dr. Garry Landreth, Kylie sat down to record this special tribute episode in honour of one of the most influential figures in child-centred play therapy history.Dr. Landreth's contributions to the field are immeasurable. As a Regents Professor at the University of North Texas, he founded the Center for Play Therapy in 1988, growing it into the largest play therapy training and research program in the world. He authored Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship, now in its fourth edition and the most widely used play therapy textbook globally, and produced over 150 publications across journals, books, and training videos. He co-developed Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) with Sue Bratton, was a founding board member of the Association for Play Therapy and received APT's Lifetime Achievement Award among countless other honours.But beyond the accolades, Dr. Landreth gave child-centred play therapy its name, its identity, and its structure. Building on the lineage of Carl Rogers, Virginia Axline, and the Gurneys, he codified CCPT for training, defended its integrity against more directive approaches, and passionately championed the idea that CCPT is not simply a set of techniques, it is a way of being with a child.In this heartfelt episode, Kylie reflects on how Dr. Landreth's writings shaped her own journey as a play therapist, clinical supervisor, and trainer. From first encountering The Art of the Relationship during her training in 2015, to leaning on it as a lifeline in her early years of practice, to building her training program and this very podcast on the foundations he laid, his influence is woven through everything the Play Therapy Circle community stands for.Kylie also invites our global community to reflect on and share how Dr. Landreth touched their own professional lives, because his reach truly is everywhere.All roads in child-centred play therapy lead back to Garry Landreth. This episode is our community's small way of saying thank you."Toys are children's words and play is their language." Dr. Garry Landreth

Have you ever finished a session and wondered, did any of that even matter? You've shown up, you've held the space, you've given everything you have and then that child walks back out into a world you can't control. A chaotic home. An unstable system. A family in crisis. And you're left sitting with the quiet, heavy question of whether what happens inside the playroom can possibly be enough.In this episode, Kylie gets honest about one of the most persistent questions she hears from supervisees and sits with it herself. Because here's the thing. This question doesn't go away with experience. Whether you're one month into your play therapy journey or eleven and a half years in like Kylie, the wondering doesn't stop. And she wants you to know that's not a sign something is wrong with you. It's a sign that you care.Kylie draws on Emmy Werner's landmark forty-year longitudinal study on resilience, which found that the single strongest predictor for children growing up in adversity was the presence of at least one consistent, caring, attuned adult in their life. Not necessarily a parent. Just one person who showed up and saw the child as worth showing up for. In systems where caseworkers change and placements shift, we may be that person. And that is not a small thing.She also explores the neuroscience behind what happens in a child's brain during attuned, regulated sessions in the playroom. Neuroplasticity research tells us that repetition of safe, connected experiences can literally reshape neural pathways. The calm we offer doesn't just stay in the room. It becomes a reference point. The brain holds what happened. That's not a metaphor. It's biology.And then there's the long timeline. Research shows that the impact of therapy with children often shows its strongest effects not during treatment, but years after it ends. The outcome you can't see at the end of a course of treatment is not evidence that there is no outcome. It's just the timing.This episode is a gentle but firm reminder to trust yourself, trust the process, and trust the child. If you offered congruence, empathy, and unconditional positive regard, the work was done. The outcomes belong to the child. The work belongs to you.If you've ever sat with that quiet doubt, this episode is for you. The seeds were always real, even when you don't get to see them grow.Follow us on Instagram @playtherapycirclepodcast and join our FREE community HERE

Back to Basics: Tracking Plus Your Questions | EP43This episode marks something new. Listener questions, answered on the show. And the question that came in was so good, it deserved real time and real depth.But first: a back-to-basics teaching segment on tracking — one of the very first skills we learn in Child-Centred Play Therapy, and one of the most quietly powerful. What it sounds like, why it matters, and the common mistakes that are easy to make without realising.Tracking is the skill of verbally following and reflecting a child's play and behaviour without leading, interpreting, or directing. It sounds simple. But done well, it communicates something profound: I am fully present with you, and what you are doing matters. It builds the relationship, honours the child's autonomy, and is unconditional positive regard in action.Kylie walks through what tracking looks like in practice, the crucial difference between tracking the action and interpreting the meaning, and the most common mistakes new practitioners make including over-tracking, labelling, and questions disguised as tracking.Then, your question:Terri from Ireland asks about children who people-please, control, or go silent in the playroom directed toward the therapist. Through the lens of Lipton's developmental theory, Kylie explores these behaviours as relational templates formed in the earliest years and now being replayed in the playroom. Each one is an adapted survival strategy. Each one points to an unmet need.Kylie unpacks all three with practical examples of how to respond, and when to move from simple reflection into enlargement and deeper reflective responding. She also addresses Terri's instinct about timing: that going too deep too early, before trust is established, can feel intrusive or even unsafe for the child. That instinct is exactly right.The principle that ties it all together: reflection follows relationship. The depth of our responding should never outpace the depth of trust we have built.Oh, and a milestone worth celebrating. The Play Therapy Circle Podcast is now reaching listeners in 70 countries. A genuine moment of gratitude for a community that continues to grow.In this episode:What tracking is, what it sounds like, and why it mattersThe difference between tracking and interpreting, and why that distinction is crucialCommon tracking mistakes and how to avoid themPeople-pleasing, controlling, and silence as relational templates and unmet needsPractical examples of reflective responding and enlargement for each behaviourWhy timing matters: when enlargement helps and when it can harmReflection follows relationship: the principle that guides it allA celebration of 70 countries and the global Play Therapy Circle communityHave a question you'd love answered on the show? Send it in via [email protected] or find Kylie on Instagram @Playtherapycirclepodcast or @kylieellisontherapy.Join our free Community Circle - Tier One - The Community Circle

Revisited: The Pandemic Ripple EffectThis week, we're reaching back into The Play Therapy Circle archives to revisit a conversation that continues to resonate and perhaps now, more than ever, feels urgently relevant.The Pandemic Ripple Effect.If you are working with children aged 4–6 years old right now, whether as a play therapist, counsellor, early childhood educator, teacher, parent or carer, there is a very good chance you are noticing something. A rise in anxiety. More tears at drop-off. Children who seem younger than their age in some ways, or who struggle in social situations that might have once felt unremarkable. Big feelings that seem to arrive without warning, and separation distress that can feel confusing or even alarming to the adults around them.You are not imagining it.In this episode, Kylie explores what is increasingly being observed in clinical practice and supported by emerging research: that for many children in this age group, the earliest and most foundational years of their development unfolded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those years, the ones that shape so much of who a child becomes, looked very different for this cohort. Routines that provide safety and predictability were disrupted or disappeared entirely. Playgroups, childcare and early learning environments closed or changed. Opportunities for peer connection, social rehearsal and play-based learning were significantly reduced. And all of this happened while many families were simultaneously navigating their own experiences of stress, grief, financial pressure, uncertainty and isolation.Children are exquisitely sensitive to the emotional climate around them. They absorb far more than we realise.Now, as this cohort moves into kindergarten, prep and the early years of primary school, those early experiences are showing up, in school readiness challenges, in emotional regulation, in separation anxiety at the gate, in social confidence, in transitions, and in the volume and intensity of big feelings that can catch everyone off guard.Kylie gently and thoughtfully unpacks what we know, drawing on Australian and global data, emerging research, and her own clinical experience, to help us understand this generation not through a lens of deficit or alarm, but through one of context, compassion and genuine curiosity.This conversation is not about blame. It is not about catastrophising. It is about helping the adults in these children's lives to understand what they are seeing, to feel validated in their observations, and to know that there is a path forward.Kylie also explores how Child-Centered Play Therapy can offer children in this cohort something profoundly important: a safe, consistent, developmentally appropriate relationship and space in which to process their experiences, practise mastery and competence, build internal safety, strengthen emotional expression and experience the kind of warm, attuned co-regulation that helps a nervous system learn that the world is okay.Play therapy does not require children to have the words. It meets them exactly where they are.For parents and caregivers, this episode is an invitation to exhale. What you are experiencing with your child is real. The challenges are real. And they make sense when we understand the context in which your child's earliest years took place. With the right support, connection, understanding and time, children are remarkably resilient — and they can absolutely be helped to feel safer, more settled, more confident and more ready to engage with the world around them.For therapists and educators, this episode is a reminder of why the work you do matters so deeply right now and why meeting this cohort with patience and perspective is one of the most powerful things you can offer.Because, as always, play is the way.New to The Play Therapy Circle? Start here, and then explore Kylie's training programs at playtherapytrainingaustralia.com.au

Kylie dives deep into the science behind the COVID generation - what the research is now telling us about children born between 2019 and 2022, why so many kids are struggling right now, and why that is absolutely not a reflection of your parenting. From maternal prenatal stress tripling during the pandemic, to MRI findings showing differences in brain development, to the speech delays, separation anxiety, and social-emotional gaps we're seeing play out in classrooms and therapy rooms across the country - the data is real, and so is the grace that comes with understanding it.She also unpacks why traditional behaviour strategies like sticker charts and reward systems aren't the answer for this generation of kids, and what children actually need right now: consistency, predictability, and repeated co-regulation with a calm adult over time. Not a quick fix. Not a perfect parent. You.She also takes on the myth of the Instagram parent - that curated, polished, cropped-out-the-chaos version of family life that has so many of us silently measuring ourselves against an impossible standard - and gives you full, unapologetic permission to put it down.Drawing on the work of Donald Winnicott and his concept of the good enough parent, Kylie reminds us that children don't need perfection. They need someone who gets it right most of the time, apologises when they don't, and stays in the relationship even when it's hard. That's it. That's the work.This episode is for the parents. It's for the practitioners sitting with exhausted families every day. And it's for anyone who needs to hear that the fact that you're still showing up - still trying, still caring - means you are already doing more than enough.Come as you are. You belong here.Kylie Ellison is a Counsellor and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor who has been working in CCPT for over a decade. Her vision is to see a community of play therapists supporting and encouraging each other. Join the circle for FREE - Community Circle - Circle Subscriptions - Kylie Ellison Therapy & Training•Ching, B. C. F., Parlatini, V., Zhang, S., et al. (2024). Impact of the Covid pandemic on the mental health of children and young people with pre-existing mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions: a systematic review andmeta-analysis. European Psychiatry.•Hossain, M. M., et al. (2022). Long-term physical, mental and social health effects of COVID-19 in the paediatric population: a scoping review. Italian Journal of Pediatrics.•Panchal, U., Salazar de Pablo, G., Franco, M., et al. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 lockdown on child and adolescent mental health: systematic review. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.•Stefanatou, P., et al. (2023). Play as a stress-coping method among children in light of the COVID-19 pandemic: a review. Cureus.•Vasileva, M., Alisic, E., & De Young, A. (2021). COVID-19 unmasked: preschool children's negative thoughts and worries during the COVID-19 pandemic. European Journal of Psychotraumatology.•Hashempour, N., et al. (2024). Prenatal maternal psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic and newborn brain development. JAMA Network Open, 7(6).•Manning, K. Y., Long, X., Watts, D., et al. (2022). Prenatal maternal distress during the COVID-19 pandemic and associations with infant brain connectivity. Biological Psychiatry.•Lu, Y.-C., Andescavage, N., Wu, Y., et al. (2022). Impact of COVID-19 related maternal stress on fetal brain development: a multimodal MRI study. Communications Medicine.•Landreth, G. L. (2023). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship (4th ed.). Routledge.•Association for Play Therapy. (2024). Evidence base for play therapy. www.a4pt.org

Kylie checks in live from Mildura - exhausted, dinner-less, and fresh off one of her most chaotic travel days yet (yes, there was an emergency Kmart suitcase run). But between the laughs, she unpacks the big takeaways from a massive week of Child-Centred Play Therapy training across Victoria, connecting with close to 70 practitioners in Bendigo, Ballarat, Wyndham Vale, and beyond.The conversation this week kept coming back to one powerful idea: stop talking to kids, and start understanding their play. Kylie explores why asking children questions often misses the mark, how behaviour is always a form of communication, and why the practitioners of Victoria are on the frontline of some of the most important research emerging around the mental health impact of COVID-era lockdowns on children.She also teases next week's deeper dive into understanding what kids are really communicating through play - and puts out the call for listener questions for an upcoming Q&A episode.Raw, real, and full of heart - this one's a quick but meaningful check-in.Got a CCPT question for Kylie? Email us [email protected] the free Circle community | Find us on Facebook, Instagram & TikTok

Is mess in the playroom always therapeutic? In this milestone 40th episode, Kylie challenges some of the assumptions that can creep into Child-Centred Play Therapy practice - specifically around permissiveness and what it really means when a child tips into chaos and destruction during a session.Kylie unpacks why limit-setting isn't a restriction on a child's freedom - it's one of the most empathetic, clinically informed things a play therapist can offer. Drawing on Landreth's ACT model, Dr. Bruce Lipton's research on relational template-downloading in the first five years of life, and the psychoanalytic roots of CCPT through Anna Freud, Melanie Klein, and Virginia Axline, Kylie makes the case that mess is communication and our countertransference is the clinical data we can't afford to ignore.In this episode, Kylie explores:Why non-directiveness is not the same as the absence of structureHow children unconsciously download their understanding of relationships — and what that means when we allow chaos to go uncontainedWhy countertransference is your richest clinical tool when mess shows up in the playroomHow empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard all actively support, not undermine, therapeutic limit-settingThe difference between unconditional regard for the child and unconditional tolerance of every behaviourIf you've ever felt frustrated, overwhelmed, or depleted after a session where the playroom became a free-for-all, this episode is for you. That feeling? That's information.The Play Therapy Circle is hosted by Kylie Ellison — therapist, clinical supervisor, and play therapy trainer. New episodes drop weekly.Want to be part of the circle - join our FREE Community Circle here Circle Subscriptions - Kylie Ellison Therapy & Training.

Ever had that nagging feeling that you're not quite good enough - even when the evidence says otherwise? This week, Kylie gets honest about something that came up in real time: imposter syndrome in the helping professions. And if you've ever quietly wondered whether you truly belong in this work, this one is for you.Imposter syndrome isn't new - the term emerged in the 1970s, originally observed in high-achieving women - but its grip on those in caring and helping professions runs especially deep. Unlike a builder who can point to a house they've constructed, therapists and practitioners can't always show tangible proof of their work. The work lives in the room, in the relationship, in the story of a child who finally feels safe enough to play. That invisibility, combined with the deeply personal nature of the work, creates the perfect conditions for self-doubt to take root.Kylie unpacks two distinct voices that fuel imposter syndrome: the inner critic - that familiar, often long-standing voice that whispers you shouldn't be here and the outer chorus, the hum of external expectations, comparisons, and professional pressures that can quietly shape how we see ourselves. Both feel real. Both can be damaging. But here's the thing: neither of them gets to be the final word on who you are.Drawing from her own 11 years in child-centered play therapy, Kylie walks through what it actually looks like to move through imposter syndrome - not by silencing the doubt, but by getting crystal clear on your values. What do you genuinely believe about how children heal? What do you want to be known for at the end of your career? What makes you feel most alive in this work? When you lead from those answers, the outer chorus starts to lose its power.And then there's community. Kylie makes the case - strongly - that finding your people is one of the most protective factors in your entire career. Isolation feeds imposter syndrome. Connection quietens it. Whether you're just starting out and feeling overwhelmed, or you're further along and still navigating moments of self-doubt (because yes, it doesn't just go away), your community exists. The practitioners who see you, believe in you, and want you to flourish. they're out there, and often, they're looking for you too.This episode is a little different in flavour. It's reflective, honest, and came straight from the heart. But sometimes the unplanned episodes are the ones that land the hardest.If today has been a tough one, if you've been questioning where you belong or whether you're enough, this episode is your reminder that the answer is yes. You are enough. Your path is valid and your community is waiting.In this episode:What imposter syndrome is and where the term originally came fromWhy the helping professions are particularly vulnerable to self-doubtThe inner critic vs. the outer chorus and how to tell the differenceWhy your values are your most powerful anchorReflective questions to help you get clear on what matters most to youWhy community is your greatest professional protective factor against burnout and imposter syndromeHow to recognise the right community when you find itA reminder for every early-career practitioner feeling lost: your people existPlay Therapy Circle drops every Friday on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and wherever you listen. Follow along so you never miss an episode, and come find us on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. If you're looking for your community, Kylie's free Circle community is open - check the socials for details.

Big Feelings, Small Bodies: What Emotional Dysregulation Is Really Telling Us | Ep. 38When a child explodes, shuts down, bolts from the room, or cries at everything, what is their nervous system actually communicating?In this episode, Kylie Ellison breaks down the neuroscience of emotional dysregulation in children, unpacking the four key presentations play therapists and caregivers see most: the fight response, the flight response, emotional flooding, and the freeze shutdown. Kylie explores what each behaviour is communicating at a nervous system level, why consequences and logical reasoning fail when the thinking brain is offline, and how child-centred play therapy is designed by its very nature to meet these unmet needs.This episode connects the nervous system content from last week's episode into a practical, science-backed framework for understanding children's big behaviours — and responding in a way that actually works.In this episode:Why dysregulation is not a choice, and why it's not misbehaviourThe four dysregulation expressions and what each one is communicatingWhat children need in each state (and what makes it worse)Why the CCPT playroom is a regulation environment before anything elsePractical takeaways for play therapists, parents, and caregiversWhether you're in the playroom, the classroom, or the living room, this one is for anyone who wants to understand what children's big feelings are really trying to say.Play Therapy Circle is hosted by Kylie Ellison, play therapist and clinical trainer at Kylie Ellison Therapy & Training. New episodes drop weekly.

In this episode, Kylie breaks down polyvagal theory and its three key nervous system states - safe and social, fight or flight, and freeze/shutdown and explores what each one actually looks like when a child walks through the playroom door. Because understanding which state a child is in changes everything about how you respond to them.From neuroception (that unconscious, automatic threat-scanning happening in every child's nervous system, every moment of every day) to the neuroscience of co-regulation, Kylie unpacks why you simply cannot reason, teach, or connect with a child whose thinking brain is offline and what to do instead. Spoiler: it starts with you.One of the most powerful ideas in this episode is this - your regulated presence as a therapist isn't just good practice, it's the actual mechanism for change. The nervous system is a social organ, designed to be regulated by another nervous system. Which means a calm, warm, attuned adult can literally help a child's nervous system return to safety in real time. That's not a metaphor. That's neurobiology.Kylie also shines a light on the children who often get missed, the quiet ones, the compliant ones, the ones flying under the radar in the classroom and why a child in freeze or shutdown can actually be more concerning than the one having the explosive meltdown.And for the parents listening? There's a whole section for you too. Why talking to your child mid-meltdown doesn't work (and never will), what co-regulation actually looks like in practice, and why your number one job in those hard moments is to regulate yourself first.Whether you're a seasoned play therapist, a student just starting out, or a parent trying to make sense of the big behaviours happening at home, this episode offers a new lens for understanding what children are really communicating and why the playroom might just be the most neurologically sophisticated therapeutic environment we have for children.In this episode:The three states of the nervous system and what they look like in the playroomWhy the quiet, withdrawn child can be more concerning than the explosive oneNeuroception — why children can't simply choose their reactionsThe neuroscience behind co-regulation and why it's biological, not optionalWhy your own regulation as a therapist is a clinical skill, not a nice-to-havePractical guidance for parents navigating dysregulation and big emotions at homeWhy CCPT isn't "just play" it's the most neurologically aligned therapeutic approach we have for childrenThe Play Therapy Circle is now listened to in 55 countries. Wherever you are in the world — welcome to the Circle.🎙️ Play Therapy Circle | Hosted by Kylie EllisonFree community forum: ⁠JOIN OUR FREE COMMUNITY HERE⁠

Holding Hope in the Playroom | Play Therapy CircleIn one of her most personal episodes yet, host Kylie Ellison pauses to name what so many play therapists are quietly carrying, the weight of showing up for children and families during a time of profound collective anxiety and global uncertainty.This episode is for you, the therapist in the trenches.Kylie explores how the state of the world filters into the playroom - from children presenting with themes of chaos and loss of control, to parents arriving more activated and depleted than ever. She unpacks the very real psychological labour of holding hope when that hope feels genuinely hard to access, and what it means when hope is part of your professional identity.In this episode:Why children are neurologically wired to track caregiver anxiety and what that means for what you're seeing in sessions right nowThe difference between burnout and compassion fatigue, and how to recognise the signs in yourselfThe compassion satisfaction, fatigue continuum, and why collective global stress shifts the whole scaleVicarious anxiety: the less-talked-about cousin of vicarious traumaPractical anchors for holding hope, supervision, containment rituals, community connection, and returning to your whyA gentle reminder that the therapeutic relationship itself is one of the most radical acts of hope that exists right nowThis one's raw, honest, and a little bit like a therapy session - and that's exactly the point.You matter. What you do matters. And you are not alone.🎙️ Play Therapy Circle | Hosted by Kylie EllisonFree community forum: JOIN OUR FREE COMMUNITY HERE

🎙️ FLASHBACK EPISODE — Episode 7: Understanding the Child's World Through PlayPlay is children's universal language — and once you understand it, you'll never look at it the same way again. In this flashback episode, we explore how children use play to communicate what they can't express in words, and what that means for us as CCPT practitioners, parents, educators, and caregivers.We dive into:• Why play is a child's primary mode of communication• What common play themes like shop and hide & seek are really telling us• How sand tray and art reveal a child's inner world• The power of observing without rushing to fix or interpret• Why validating feelings is the first step toward healing and growthWhether you're a seasoned play therapist or someone who simply works with or loves children, this episode will shift the way you see and respond to the children in your life.As Gary Landreth reminds us - toys are their words and play is their language. 🧸#PlayTherapy #CCPT #ChildCentredPlayTherapy #PlayTherapyCircle

Why does play therapy work? And what actually happens in a child’s brain during a play therapy session?In this episode of the Play Therapy Circle Podcast, Kylie Ellison explores the neuroscience behind child-centred play therapy (CCPT) and explains why play is the natural language of children.Children’s brains are still developing, which means they often cannot process emotions through words the way adults do. Instead, they communicate, process experiences, and regulate their nervous systems through play. Understanding this brain science helps therapists, parents, and educators better support children’s emotional development.In this episode, Kylie breaks down key concepts from neuroscience, trauma research, and child development, including:• Why children communicate through play rather than words• The role of the prefrontal cortex in emotional regulation• Understanding the window of tolerance in children• How the amygdala and nervous system respond to stress and trauma• The power of co-regulation and the therapeutic relationship• How neuroplasticity allows children’s brains to heal and growYou’ll also learn how child-centred play therapy creates a safe therapeutic environment that helps children regulate emotions, process experiences, and develop healthier coping strategies.If you’re a play therapist, child therapist, educator, mental health professional, or parent, this episode will help you understand the science behind why play therapy is an evidence-based and effective approach for supporting children’s emotional wellbeing.Play therapy isn’t “just playing.”It’s neuroscience, relationship, and healing through play.Links & Resources:• Play Therapy Circle Community & Membership• Upcoming Play Therapy Circle Conference (Brisbane)• Follow us on Instagram, Facebook & TikTok

In this episode of the Play Therapy Circle Podcast, Kylie explores how child-centred play therapy doesn’t just transform the children we work with, it also transforms us as therapists.Drawing on her experiences in the playroom, Kylie reflects on the profound lessons children teach us about authenticity, emotional courage, and the power of simply being present. She shares how the therapeutic relationship, rather than technique alone, creates healing, and why learning to trust the process, tolerate uncertainty, and sit with big emotions is central to effective play therapy.This episode is an invitation for play therapists to reflect on their own journeys: the children who have shaped them, the growth that happens alongside their clients, and the deep privilege of holding space for young people’s stories.Whether you’re new to play therapy or years into practice, this conversation offers encouragement, insight, and a reminder that the work changes us too.

In this heartfelt episode, Kylie explores one of the core truths of child-centred play therapy: all behaviour is communication.When children can’t put their experiences into words, they show us through play, through dysregulation, through control, chaos, withdrawal, and even aggression. But what if those behaviours aren’t problems to fix - but stories to hear?Kylie unpacks how behaviour reflects the nervous system, attachment experiences, and unmet needs, and why play therapists must look beyond compliance to meaning-making. She reflects on the power of transference and countertransference, the importance of therapeutic limits, and the courage it takes to sit in the uncomfortable rather than rush to “fix.”This episode is a reminder that when we silence behaviour, we silence the story and that child-centred play therapy is an act of advocacy, resistance, and deep attunement.For play therapists holding big stories in the playroom: your work matters.

This week on The Play Therapy Circle, Kylie Ellison tackles a common (and often frustrating) misunderstanding: “Isn’t it just play?”. Kylie opens a timely conversation for play therapists, parents, carers, and professionals about how children communicate through play, especially when trauma, attachment conflicts, fear, or loyalty binds make verbal disclosure unlikely.Kylie explains why trauma isn’t stored in neat narratives for children, how the brain’s language systems can shut down under threat, and why silence is not the same as safety, it can be survival. She then outlines key indicators often seen in trauma-driven play: repetitive and driven themes, rigid “stuck” storylines, high emotional intensity, developmentally atypical content (power, control, secrecy, punishment, rescuing), and a lack of resolution over time. Importantly, she emphasises ethical practice: play therapists don’t diagnose from a single play sequence, and concerns should be formed holistically, documented carefully, and supported through clinical supervision and appropriate reporting pathways.If you need language to translate play-based clinical observations into stakeholder conversations, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Kylie reflects on what she’s witnessing in clinical practice right now, a significant rise in anxiety presentations among young children, particularly in the 4–6-year-old age group.Building on previous conversations about the post-COVID landscape, Kylie explores what she describes as an “anxiety epidemic” in early childhood and unpacks how this is showing up in play therapy rooms across Australia. From increased emotional dysregulation to heightened separation anxiety and nervous system overwhelm, this episode examines the broader community context impacting children and families.Kylie also shares insights into how child-centred play therapy (CCPT) uniquely supports anxious children, not by managing symptoms alone, but by strengthening emotional safety, regulation, and a child’s internal sense of competence and self-trust. She reflects on the responsibility and privilege of holding therapeutic space during seasons of collective stress, and the importance of maintaining empathy, unconditional positive regard, and strong clinical boundaries as demand increases.With growing referrals and stretched services, this episode is both a professional check-in and an encouragement to fellow practitioners: how do we sustain ourselves while continuing to show up for children in meaningful ways?If you’re a play therapist, early childhood professional, or someone supporting young children navigating anxiety, this episode offers thoughtful reflection, validation, and practical perspective from the field.

In this episode of The Play Therapy Circle, Kylie reflects on a milestone week - celebrating 10 years of child-centred play therapy practice - and shares exciting news about the first Play Therapy Circle Child-Centred Play Therapy Conference coming to Brisbane.Kylie then dives into a question many parents (and beginning play therapists) wrestle with: Why doesn’t my child talk in therapy? Drawing on clinical experience, attachment theory, and the stages of child-centred play therapy, she unpacks why play is children’s natural language, and why talk-based approaches can miss the mark developmentally.This episode offers reassurance, practical language, and confidence-building insights for play therapists supporting concerned parents, as well as a compassionate reframing for caregivers learning to trust the process. At its core, this conversation is about relationships, regulation, and remembering a powerful truth: children don’t need to talk about their problems to heal, sometimes, play says it all.

This episode is a reflective, personal milestone celebration: Kylie marks 10 years of private practice in child-centered play therapy (with a shout-out to her team, Eva and Shaz) and shares her professional journey from studying psychology, working in child protection and NGOs, to contracting work, before discovering play therapy training in 2015 and “falling in love” with the approach.She speaks honestly about early doubts and learning moments (including feeling overwhelmed in training), and how the work has evolved over the years—expanding her practice, later downsizing to realign with health, family, and what feels most meaningful, and leaning into supervision, training, conferences, and the podcast as ways to “share CCPT beyond the playroom.”The key message is encouragement: growth isn’t linear, you don’t need it all figured out, and if you’re feeling unsure or stuck, there’s hope, keep listening to what aligns, trust the process, and celebrate your progress. She closes by inviting listeners to join a live celebration on February 2, 2026 (1pm Queensland time) with cake, balloons, and announcements.

What is Child-Centered Play Therapy and how can it help your child? In this episode, Kylie Ellison breaks down CCPT in a clear, parent-friendly way, addressing common questions like “Is it just play?”, “Will my child learn skills?”, and “How will I know it’s working?” Kylie explains how children communicate through play, why relationship comes first, and how a safe, consistent play space helps children build emotional regulation, confidence, and self-trust over time. A helpful listen for parents considering play therapy and therapists wanting language to explain CCPT.

In this episode, Kylie Ellison reflects on the real challenges of staying true to Child-Centred Play Therapy when doubt, silence, and pressure creep in. Drawing on her own practice and recent teaching, she explores why CCPT is more than a technique, it’s a way of being. Kylie normalises imposter syndrome, unpacks the urge to revert to talk-based approaches, and reminds us that the therapeutic relationship is the intervention. She also speaks to the courage it takes to sit with uncertainty, trust the child’s process, and remain grounded in the core principles of CCPT, even when it feels uncomfortable. A grounding, compassionate episode for play therapists at every stage of their journey.

Welcome back to 2026! This episode offers a calm, grounded transition back into the playroom for 2026. We explore the “fresh start” myth, the pressure to return energised, confident, and immediately ‘on’, and why many of us actually come back needing time to recalibrate. This is a reminder that doubt after a break is often state-based, not a reflection of your skills. We’ll focus on what’s enough in the first week back: a regulated nervous system, a consistent presence, and a willingness to follow the child. We also discuss what you might see from children after a break (unchanged, moving forward, or regressing) and how CCPT’s core conditions, empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard support reconnection. Expect practical anchors (tracking, reflecting feelings, and using silence intentionally), a gentle invitation to choose your word for 2026, and a reminder that the relationship remembers itself. Follow along on socials and send through topic requests for upcoming episodes.

In this final episode of 2025, Kylie Ellison reflects on the Play Therapy Circle podcast journey and offers sincere gratitude to the growing community of listeners. She acknowledges the emotional, often invisible work of child-centered play therapists and affirms the importance of showing up with empathy, authenticity, and care in the playroom. Kylie highlights how listening to the podcast is an act of professional self-care and validation, particularly for those working in isolation. Looking ahead to 2026, she shares excitement about continuing weekly episodes, introducing guest voices, and launching new initiatives and events to strengthen connection within the global CCPT community.

In Part Two of 10 Things Every Play Therapist Needs to Know at Christmas, Kylie speaks directly to child-centred play therapists navigating the emotional, physical, and relational load of the end-of-year period. Released during Christmas week, this episode is a compassionate reminder that therapists matter too.Kylie explores the realities of end-of-year fatigue, compassion fatigue, and reduced capacity, normalising how layered stress builds across the year. She reframes rest as an ethical and clinical responsibility, not a reward, highlighting how therapist regulation directly impacts therapeutic presence and client safety.Listeners are encouraged to let go of the pressure to “wrap everything up” before the year ends, to allow reflection to happen in their own time (including in January), and to embrace self-care that genuinely restores the nervous system — even if it looks simple, quiet, or “boring.”The episode closes with a powerful message about releasing guilt, challenging productivity culture in helping professions, and viewing rest as an act of sustainability and care for both current and future clients.This is a gentle, affirming episode offering permission to slow down, soften, and prioritise longevity in the work.

In this first part of a special two-part episode, Kylie Ellison reflects on the end-of-year intensity many play therapists and families experience and introduces 10 Things All Play Therapists Need to Know for Christmas. She explores how Christmas can amplify stress, grief, and dysregulation for children and families, and what this looks like in the playroom through play rather than words. The episode focuses on supporting clients and families during the festive season, emphasising containment, boundaries, and presence over “fixing.” Part two will shift the focus to caring for ourselves as therapists during this demanding time of year.

Kylie dedicates this episode to CCPT practitioners who feel lost, doubtful, or exhausted, especially at the end of the year. She normalises feelings of “Is this working?” and explains how they often come from caring deeply, holding a lot of grief for struggling families, and working within an over-stressed, time-poor culture. Instead of piling on strategies, she encourages going back to basics: presence over performance, tiny wins, supervision, and simple connection moments for parents and kids. Her core message: trust yourself, trust the child, and trust the process, your work genuinely matters, even when it doesn’t feel dramatic or visible.

PART TWO from Hawaii! This episode reassures CCPT practitioners who worry they’re “not doing enough,” especially when children appear withdrawn, silent, or resistant in the playroom. It explains that meaningful therapeutic change occurs through presence, safety, and the non-directive relationship, not through directing play or speeding up progress, and that children often begin to shift just when therapists start doubting themselves. Join Kylie as she normalises imposter syndrome, urges therapists to trust the child’s pace and core CCPT principles, and reminds them that their presence is the intervention.Also..... T Shirts being made!

Recorded in Hawaii! While on a much-needed break, Kylie explores a topic many CCPT practitioners struggle with—imposter syndrome. She discusses how self-doubt can arise at any stage of a therapist’s journey, from early skill development to managing stakeholder expectations, and highlights how community stress can intensify these feelings. The episode encourages therapists to trust the CCPT process, lean into core principles of empathy and connection, and reframe challenges as opportunities for growth and deeper self-reflection.

In this episode we tackle therapist burn out and ensuring you are taking care of yourself - not just others! Kylie reflects honestly on her own exhaustion and lack of breaks this year to open a conversation about self-care (or “how you’re really doing”) as a play therapist. She highlights the emotional load of holding trauma, staying attuned, and being a regulated, safe presence, and frames self-care not as a luxury but as a professional responsibility that protects against burnout and compassion fatigue. Kylie offers three key “pillars”: professional boundaries (manageable caseloads, breaks, admin limits, quality supervision), emotional/nervous-system care (grounding rituals, breathing, note-taking, supervision), and real-life practices (hydration, food, rest, fun activities, transition rituals, peer connection). She encourages listeners to choose just one small, realistic change to implement, reminding them they matter just as much as the children and families they support.

In this episode, Kylie discusses the “pandemic ripple effect” on 4–6-year-olds, exploring why so many children are now presenting with heightened anxiety and separation anxiety as they start school. We unpack emerging research and Australian census data showing declines in social competence and emotional maturity and connect this with the early-life disruptions children experienced during COVID-19 such as fewer peer interactions, disrupted routines, and increased family stress. Kylie walks through how these factors may have shaped children’s neurobiology and development, and what that looks like in the playroom and classroom today. She then explores how Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) can support this cohort, and shares practical, evidence-informed ideas for working with parents, schools, and families. This episode is designed to validate what many practitioners, educators, and caregivers are seeing right now, and to spark an ongoing conversation about how we can best support these kids.References for this Podcast: -ReferencesAustralian Government Department of Education. Results of the 2024 Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) were released today. 13 June 2025. Available at: https://www.education.gov.au/early-childhood/announcements/results-2024-australian-early-developmen… https://www.education.gov.au/early-childhood/announcements/results-2024-australian-early-developmen…Australian Early Development Census. 2024 AEDC National Report. 2025. Available at: https://www.aedc.gov.au/resources/detail/2024-aedc-national-report aedc.gov.au+1Australian Early Development Census. AEDC Key Findings 2024 (Fact Sheet). 2025. Available at: https://www.aedc.gov.au/resources/detail/aedc-key-findings-2024 aedc.gov.auAustralian Bureau of Statistics. Childhood development — “on track” in all five AEDC domains: 2009-2024. 2025. Available at: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/measuring-what-matters/measuring-what-matters-themes-and-indicato… https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/measuring-what-matters/measuring-what-matters-themes-and-indicato…Racine, N., et al. “Changes in Depression and Anxiety Among Children and Adolescents From Before to During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” JAMA Pediatrics. Vol. 177, No. 6, 2023: 567-581. DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.0846. JAMA NetworkLudwig-Walz, H., et al. “Anxiety symptoms and disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic in children and adolescents: systematic review & meta-analysis.” European Journal of Psychiatry. 37(4), 2023. DOI:10.1016/j.ejpsy.2023.06.003. King's College London Research Portal+1Orban, E., et al. “Mental health and quality of life in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review of longitudinal studies.” Frontiers in Public Health. 2024;11:1275917. DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1275917. FrontiersAlizadeh, S., Shahrousvand, S., Sepandi, M., & Alimohamadi, Y. “Prevalence of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Journal of Public Health. Published Dec 2023;33:2045-2060. SpringerLinkCentre for Community Child Health (CCCH). “Australian Early Development Census: Background, methods & history.” 2025. Available at: https://www.ccch.org.au/our-work/project/australian-early-development-census/ ccch.org.au

In this episode, Kylie explores the delicate balance of communicating updates to parents and carers while maintaining the confidentiality and trust central to Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT). She discusses why this process can feel challenging, even for experienced practitioners, and offers frameworks and communication strategies that protect the child’s privacy while keeping parents informed. Kylie highlights the importance of grounding feedback in themes and stages of play, using accessible language and empathy to connect with families. Ultimately, she reminds us that ethical, reflective, and relationship-based communication is at the heart of meaningful parent consultations. 🌿

In this episode, Kylie outlines how to structure ongoing parent/carer consultations in three parts: reviewing progress, sharing playroom insights, and planning next steps. Every 4–6 weeks, she meets with parents to reflect on their child’s growth, revisit goals, and adjust support where needed. Kylie emphasizes communicating themes and stages of play in parent-friendly language while protecting the child’s confidentiality, using examples like power and control or learned helplessness. She also shares practical, realistic strategies for parents to strengthen connection and co-regulation at home — always returning to the core principles of empathy, collaboration, and attachment in Child-Centred Play Therapy. 🌿

The episode dives into the essentials of conducting initial parent consultations in Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) — from building authentic rapport and exploring formative history, to gathering insights on school, health, and family systems. Kylie offers practical guidance for beginning therapists, emphasizing that connection and caregiver involvement are key to positive outcomes. Part Two will continue next week with ongoing parent consultations and deeper strategies for supporting families in the therapeutic journey. 💛

In this episode, Kylie explores how trust, empathy, and authentic connection with parents and caregivers are essential for children’s therapeutic progress, especially amid today’s complex family challenges. She also reminds play therapists to offer themselves the same compassion they give to clients, honouring boundaries, collaboration, and self-reflection in their work. 🌿

In this episode, Kylie Ellison takes us through one of the foundational frameworks of Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT), the stages of the therapeutic process, exploratory, aggressive, regressive, and mastery. She unpacks what each stage looks like in the playroom, how to recognise progress, and why growth in CCPT is rarely linear. Kylie shares insights for therapists on staying grounded, trusting the process, and communicating progress to parents while protecting confidentiality.A thoughtful, practical guide to understanding how children move through their therapeutic journey — and how we can meet them with empathy at every stage. 💛

In this episode of the Play Therapy Circle podcast, Kylie Ellison introduces the concept of limit setting in child-centered play therapy (CCPT), focusing on the ACT model (Acknowledge feelings, Communicate the limit, Target alternatives). She reflects on her own challenges learning this skill, reassures beginning play therapists that it becomes easier with practice, and emphasizes that limits build safety, structure, and trust in the playroom. Ultimately, Kylie highlights how consistent and empathetic limit setting not only protects therapists, children, and resources but also fosters emotional regulation, self-responsibility, and respectful relationships.

This episode explores the foundational CCPT skill of reflecting feelings, building on last week’s focus on tracking. The discussion highlights how reflecting feelings validates children’s emotions, deepens the therapeutic alliance, and supports emotional literacy and self-regulation. Practical strategies are shared for tone, timing, and language, along with common pitfalls and the importance of authenticity. Therapists are encouraged to practice, embrace mistakes, and trust the process as children lead their healing journey.

Kylie introduces the core CCPT skills of tracking and reflecting content, framing tracking as the foundational way therapists show they’re following a child’s play (e.g., starting statements with “You/You are…”). She explains how brief, non-judgmental tracking supports co-regulation, invites permissiveness, and keeps the child in the lead, while reflecting content offers short summaries of what the child has done. Kylie cautions against the “question trap,” over-praise, and over-tracking; encourages pausing to observe nonverbal feedback; and highlights culturally sensitive and neurodiversity-affirming language. The episode closes with practical tips: practice tracking in everyday life, keep statements short and concrete, observe before speaking, and remember the goal is the child’s process, not the therapist's “answers.”

Kylie Ellison explores how play serves as a powerful avenue for children to express emotions they cannot yet verbalise, highlighting the importance of meeting children where they are developmentally. She emphasises the therapist’s role in creating a safe, authentic, and supportive space while observing themes and symbolic play without rushing to interpret. The episode encourages practitioners to trust themselves, the process, and the child, using play as both communication and healing.

Kylie Ellison explores how to set up a therapeutic playroom from a child-centered play therapy (CCPT) perspective, highlighting the importance of intentional toy selection, clear layout, and safety. She emphasizes that quality over quantity matters, and that therapists should choose resources they feel congruent and comfortable with. Beyond the physical setup, Kylie reminds listeners that the therapist’s presence—through empathy, consistency, and unconditional positive regard—is central to creating a safe and healing space.

In this episode of the Play Therapy Circle podcast, Kylie Ellison reflects on the importance of play as a child’s natural language of communication. She highlights how play therapy, particularly Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), provides unique insights into children’s inner worlds, allowing practitioners, parents, and caregivers to understand emotions and experiences that children cannot yet express in words. Kylie emphasizes the value of observing play without rushing to interpret or fix, instead creating safe spaces where children feel seen and heard. She encourages adults across communities—therapists, educators, and parents alike—to trust the process of play and recognize it as a powerful tool for growth, healing, and connection.

In this episode of the Play Therapy Circle podcast, host Kylie Ellison explores the differences between directive and non-directive (child-centered) play therapy. Kylie highlights the benefits of both methods, noting that directive strategies can be useful for short-term goals and measurable outcomes, whereas non-directive approaches build trust, resilience, and deeper emotional exploration. She emphasizes that regardless of method, the therapeutic relationship remains the foundation of effective play therapy practice.

This episode is a little longer than your commute to work or your lunch break - but it an important one not to miss. Join Kylie as she explores the therapeutic relationship as the foundation of child-centered play therapy and why building trust, safety, and connection with children, especially when rapport doesn’t come instantly, is more crucial to therapeutic outcomes than any specific technique. Kylie discusses the elements of this relationships such as following the child’s lead, being authentic, and fostering relationships not only with the child but also with parents and caregivers, as these relationships are essential for creating a safe, supportive space for healing and growth.

In this episode, we dive into why the therapist is the heart of child-centered play therapy. It’s all about the therapist being real, showing up as their true self, and creating a space where kids feel safe, seen, and heard. Kylie discusses the importance of embodying the three core tenets of CCPT, empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard, highlighting they aren't just buzzwords, they are a therapists superpowers in the playroom. So to all Play Therapists out there - take a deep breath, trust the process, and remember: your presence matters more than perfection!

This episode explores the historical roots and evolution of Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), emphasizing its foundations in psychodynamic psychotherapy, particularly the work of Anna Freud and Melanie Klein, who introduced play as a means to access the unconscious mind and build therapeutic alliance. Join Kylie as she shares her personal journey of integrating these psychodynamic insights with traditional CCPT principles, highlighting how concepts like transference, countertransference, and attachment theory enrich clinical understanding and enhance therapeutic effectiveness.Don't forget to share out podcast, follow us and write a review. We would love to hear from you.