198. Wounded Healers in the Playroom: How Attachment Histories Shape Our Work
What happens when therapists bring their own attachment histories into the playroom—consciously or not? In this deeply validating and insightful conversation, Lisa welcomes back Dr. Clair Mellenthin—renowned play therapist, author, and professor—to unpack her groundbreaking dissertation research and explore how a therapist’s personal story shapes their clinical work, especially within family-based play therapy. Together, they explore: Why many play therapists are drawn to the work as “wounded healers” Research that debunks the myth of needing to be fully healed to help others How personal attachment wounds show up in the playroom—and why doing our own work matters The power of mentorship and community in creating earned security and ongoing healing How support systems help therapists feel seen, grounded, and more confident with families Common struggles therapists face when working with parents, especially with limited training Practical steps for building confidence through integration, connection, and focused learning Moving stories that show the healing ripple from therapist to family Whether you’re a student, seasoned therapist, or supervisor, this episode offers normalization, challenge, and inspiration—helping you reflect on your therapeutic presence, embrace your vulnerabilities, and cultivate authentic connection in the healing space.
--------
41:33
--------
41:33
Special: Where Are We Now? Reflecting on the Evolution of Play Therapy
This episode originally aired in June 2023 when Synergetic Play Therapy turned 15 this year 🎉 (and was also Lisa’s birthday week! 🥳), which made it the perfect moment to pause and reflect on how far the field of play therapy has come—and where it might be headed next. In this celebratory episode, Lisa dives into the evolution of the mental health and play therapy fields—from early models focused on behavior change to today’s integrative approaches that honor the nervous system, the body, and the power of relationship. You’ll hear about the rise of neuroscience, Polyvagal Theory, interpersonal neurobiology, and the increasing recognition that you—the therapist—are the most important toy in the playroom. 💕 And of course, Lisa can’t help but look to the future, offering thoughts on what might be next for the field, including the emerging role of perception and the mind in the healing process. 🎧 Whether you’ve been tuning in since 2017 or just recently joined us, thank you. We’ve reached over a million downloads, and we’re so grateful you’re part of the journey.
--------
24:24
--------
24:24
197. Why the Playroom Must Evolve: Embracing Digital Play Therapy & AI (Part 2)
In this powerful follow-up episode, Lisa reunites with psychologist, author, and digital play therapy pioneer Dr. Jessica Stone to explore the ever-evolving intersection of technology, artificial intelligence, and mental health. Together, they dive into why the playroom must evolve—offering a grounded, nonjudgmental look at how digital tools and AI are showing up in children's lives and what that means for us as therapists. Together they explore: Is digital play therapy the same as virtual play therapy? How do you ethically use tools like ChatGPT, story generators, or VR in the therapeutic process? And what deeper needs might children be trying to meet when they turn to technology? From theoretical foundations to real-life examples and practical strategies, Lisa and Dr. Stone address common clinician concerns—like fear of the unknown, resistance to change, or overwhelm—and reframe digital tools not as replacements for traditional play, but as powerful entry points for connection, healing, and expression. You’ll hear honest reflections, tips for engaging tech-wary caregivers, and new ways to bring congruence and confidence to your practice—whether you’re curious, cautious, or actively integrating technology into your sessions. 🎧 Bonus: This is Part 2 of Lisa and Dr. Stone’s conversation! Be sure to check out their earlier episode 84: Wrapping Our Minds Around Digital Play Therapy.
--------
48:22
--------
48:22
Special: Little Questions, Big Insights: Answering Common Play Therapy Questions
In this latest episode, Lisa tackles three little, yet powerful questions that every play therapist faces at some point in their practice. These insightful answers will expand your approach and deepen your work with children. 🔹 What to do when you see your clients outside of a session? 🔹 How to navigate working with imaginary friends in therapy? 🔹 What to do when a child refuses to do their chores or other tasks they should be doing? These are just a few of the essential questions Lisa dives into, giving you practical answers that can make a world of difference in your play therapy work. 🎧 Don't miss part 1 of this series (Episode #57), where Lisa answers even more common "little questions" such as: What to do with broken toys The role of food in the playroom How to handle lying in the playroom What to do when a child tries to take a toy home Get answers to the questions you might not have learned in graduate school but will absolutely need in your play therapy practice. Original Air Date: June 24, 2021 *** 💜 Learn More About Synergetic Play Therapy: 👉 Visit our website for courses, resources, and certification opportunities – www.synergeticplaytherapy.com 📚 Explore Our Books: Aggression in Play Therapy – www.synergeticplaytherapy.com/books 🎧 Listen to Our Podcast: Lessons from the Playroom – www.synergeticplaytherapy.com/lessons-from-the-playroom/ ✨ SPT Foundation: Learn more about it's mission, team and initiatives: 👉 https://synergeticplaytherapy.com/spt-foundation/ 🔗 Connect with Us on Social Media: Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/synergeticplaytherapy/ Like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SynergeticPlayTherapyInstitute
--------
28:47
--------
28:47
196. Dissociation Reimagined: Honoring the Inner World of Therapist and Child
In this powerful and deeply human episode, Lisa is joined by two internationally recognized leaders in the field of complex trauma and dissociation—Ana Gómez and Jill Hosey—for a heartfelt conversation about their monumental new release: The Handbook of Complex Trauma and Dissociation in Children. More than just a book discussion, this episode offers a reverence-based reframe of dissociation—not as pathology, but as a brilliant, adaptive survival strategy used by children navigating overwhelming experiences. Ana and Jill share their personal insights from editing this groundbreaking 900+ page volume, which weaves together theory, research, clinical case work, and embodied practices from over 60 contributors. Together, they explore the profound responsibility therapists carry—not only to understand dissociation in their clients but to honor how it arises in their own inner worlds. You’ll hear candid reflections on what it means to be a regulated presence in the therapy room, how fear of dissociation may show up in clinicians, and how co-regulation becomes the foundation for relational healing. Whether you’re just beginning to explore the topic of dissociation or are a seasoned trauma therapist, this episode invites you to shift from fear to curiosity—from fragmentation to integration. 💡 Key Topics Include: Why The Handbook is the first of its kind in the field Dissociation as a creative, protective superpower Therapist nervous system responses and the importance of co-regulation Misdiagnosis, marginalization, and what happens when dissociation is misunderstood The emotional labor of this work—for both therapist and client A call to action for deeper training, relational attunement, and self-reflection 📘 The Handbook of Complex Trauma and Dissociation in Children is available through Routledge, Amazon, Caversham Booksellers (Canada), and other major online retailers.
The Synergetic Play Therapy Institute's “Lessons From the Playroom” Podcasts are a series of recorded podcasts designed to help therapists understand the little lessons that kids teach us that make a big difference in the play therapy process.
Our podcast host, Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S, is an innovative and inspiring teacher and pioneer in play therapy. She founder and President of the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute and the creator of Synergetic Play Therapy, a cutting-edge model of play therapy that bridges the gap between neuroscience and psychology. Lisa teaches and supervises all over the world, helping transform the lives of thousands of therapists and children. With these podcasts, she'll teach you practical ways to transform both you and the child clients you work with. These inspiring educational lessons are sure to leave you feeling more confident and excited for your next session!
Colombia