Playful Beginnings

Playful Beginnings

Video Podcast

by Maggie Parker and Kristie Opiola

Mental Health Relationships

Season 1

Working with Parents: Part 1

In this episode, Kristie and Maggie explore how they engage with parents during intake sessions, what questions they ask, the way they explain the processes, and their experiences (both good and bad) with parents. Often, play therapists are nervous to meet with parents and this episode helps guide the process.

Parent Sessions part 2

In this episode, Kristie and Maggie explore aspects about play therapy they make sure to inform parents about. From wearing clothes that can get dirty to "it may be worse before it get's better", Kristie and Maggie examine the necessary aspects to clue in parents about and why. They share personal examples of what is helpful and what is not helpful, as well as some of their own mistakes (she cut her hair?!!!). Parents will also find this helpful as Maggie and Kristie share the reasons for why they share certain things and what goes on in the therapy space.

California Wildfires, How Play Therapists Can Help

In this special episode, Kristie and Maggie discuss the current wildfires in California and ways in which play therapists can assist and may also need help.

Engaging Parents in Play Therapy: An Interview with Dr. Ahou Line

In this episode, Dr. Ahou Line, play therapist, private practice owner, and book author, joins Kristie and Maggie to discuss how she approaches parent sessions. Dr. Line writes a blog for Psychology Today, titled “Nobody Knows What They Are Doing: Navigating parenting with an ex-child expert who was humbled by parenthood (https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/contributors/ahou-line-phd-lpc-rpt). Her book, Working with Parents in Play Therapy: A Resource Guide for Play Therapists, will be out this summer! Enjoy!

Paernt Consultations Part 2 with Dr. Ahou Line

In this episode, Kristie and Maggie continue their conversation with Dr. Ahou Line. Dr. Line examines ways in which she works with parents, tips for engaging parents, and the struggles of being a parent when working with parents. Dr. Line is the author of the upcoming book Working with Parents in Play Therapy: A Resource Guide for Play Therapists and publishes a blog with Psychology Today called “Nobody Knows What They Are Doing: Navigating parenting with an ex-child expert who was humbled by parenthood (https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/contributors/ahou-line-phd-lpc-rpt).

Play Therapists and Self Care

Kristie and Maggie examine self care and what that looks like for play therapists, and themselves. They share their own experiences as they navigate burnout and stress and how they are continuing to examine how to take care of themselves so that they are capable of taking care of others.

Interview with Dr. Dee Ray

In this episode, Kristie and Maggie speak with their mentor, professor, supervisor, and friend, Dr. Dee Ray. Dr. Ray is a play therapy author tackling subjects like Child Development and Cultural Reflexivity in the Playroom, as well as researching the efficacy of Child Centered Play Therapy. She is an internationally renowned speaker, traveling the world to share her love of Child Centered Play Therapy. She is currently the co-owner of the therapy practice EmpathyWell. In this episode, we delve deeper into Dee's personal experiences with play therapy, what brought her to it, and kept her coming back. Enjoy!

Bonus with Dee Ray!

In this episode, we explore experiences in the playroom that are powerful and moving, as well as the safety of the play therapy space for both children and other play therapists. we examine the experience of true acceptance in the play therapy space. Additionally, we explore how Dee can "pick up" when someone would be a great play therapist!

Authenticity in the Playroom

In this episode, Kristie and Maggie explore authenticity in the playroom, what that looks like, and the impacts on children. Transparency can go a long way- this episode may also be helpful for adults who work with children and may struggle with knowing what to share and how-especially when the adult is having a difficult time. Enjoy!

Trauma and Child Centered Play Therapy

Today Drs. Parker and Opiola discuss child centered play therapy and childhood trauma. Drawing on person experience, theory, and neurobiology, Kristie and Maggie explore how CCPT can help children heal and grow through trauma.

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