In this episode, Leslie and special guest Jen Sims, a licensed professional counselor and registered play therapist, talk about the importance of play. Jen explains that play is the language of children, allowing them to express emotions and experiences. She specializes in Non-directive Play Therapy, which involves creating an environment where children can fully engage in play without feeling hurried. Jen emphasizes the principles of empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard, and discusses how play therapy can help children heal from trauma, behavioral issues, and other challenges.
Time Stamps
2:06 Play is the story that kids are writing about themselves
2:25 Definition of Play Therapy and the kinds of therapy
3:35 Reasons why children may go to therapy
5:47 Carl Rogers A person centered therapist: 3 tenets of his therapy
- Empathy
- Congruence
- Unconditional Positive Regard
5:55 Virginia Axline developed Non-Directive Play Therapy - 8 principles (see show notes for more formal list)
6:35 Definition of Unconditional positive regard doesn’t mean I love your behavior..it means I love you
7:45 Explaining the non-directive part of non-directive play therapy
8:20 Trust the child to move towards healing
10:45 Mirroring and attunement is something parents can also do at home to enrich and depend their relationship with their child
12:35 Children play in themes
15:35 Description of Fiial Play Therapy that parents can do it at home
17:15 Explaining the process of attunement
20:44 Setting limits around safety and other things requires consistency
22:59 Both Parents and children need empathy to feel understood
25:31 AutPlay is play therapy specifically designed for Neurodivergent kids
28:37 Jen’s advice for parents -
31:35 We can trust children to lead the way with creative solutions towards their own healing
Resources:
Video of Play as a form of communication
Jen Sims Website at the Redwood Center for Children And Families
Article on Non-directive Play Therapy and The Underlying Principles by Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy
Registration for Leslie’s NEABPD Webinar on “Defiance, Disrespect and Disobedience: What Is It and What To Do About IT
Leslie-ism: Set aside 20 minutes to let your child lead the way in play
For a full transcript of this episode and more information about the host visit https://lesliecohenrubury.com/podcasts/ . You can also follow Leslie’s work on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and
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