Lessons from the Playroom

Originally aired June 1, 2025
She's back—and the energy in the room just elevated. In one of the most moving and illuminating episodes to date, Lisa Dion reunites with internationally renowned occupational therapist, author, and teacher Kim Barthel—one of the most beloved guests in the podcast's history.
Together, they take us deep into the world of psycho-sensory interventions, a term Kim coined decades ago during a pivotal moment that forever changed her clinical approach. Through a powerful real-life case study, this conversation explores how the body holds the story of trauma, how sensation can unlock memory, and why true healing happens when we integrate the mind, body, and play.
Through their dual lenses—Lisa's Synergetic Play Therapy perspective and Kim's expertise in sensory integration, posture, and neurobiology—they reflect on working together with a young client whose developmental trauma was revealed not only through his play, but through his body, his relationships, and the clinician's own internal experience. You'll also hear about Kim's early work with children on the streets of Winnipeg, the origin of psycho-sensory work, and how her interdisciplinary lens continues to evolve after 40+ years of practice.
This episode will invite you to:
Track what the body is telling you through posture, breath, and muscle tone
See play as only one part of the unfolding story—because the story lives in the body
Tune into the relational field and your own body as a source of insight
Slow down and meet your clients where they are developmentally and neurologically
Embrace an embodied approach to healing that honors both the child's and the therapist's nervous systems
✨ Whether you're a seasoned play therapist, an OT, or simply curious about trauma-informed care, this conversation will expand your lens, deepen your embodiment, and remind you that healing isn't something we do to a child—it's something that unfolds when we trust the wisdom of the body.
Take a breath, drop into your own body, and press play. You won't want to miss this one.

Originally aired June 17, 2025
🎙️ She's back! In her fourth appearance, Lisa welcomes the deeply loved and returning guest Mili Sarmiento Shoemaker—bilingual therapist, teacher, and Certified Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor and Trainer—to introduce a brand-new topic to the podcast: Family Constellation Work.
Rooted in systemic and ancestral wisdom, this conversation explores how children's symptoms often reflect unresolved family dynamics, not just their own inner world. Together, Mili and Lisa unpack key principles from Family Constellation theory—including the Orders of Love—and how therapists can begin using a systemic lens in the playroom, even without formal training.
In this expansive and soulful episode, you'll discover:
What Family Constellation Work is and why it matters in therapy
How children may carry or express unresolved intergenerational trauma
The three core Orders of Love (Belonging, Hierarchy, and Balance of Giving & Taking)
How imbalance in these orders can result in symptoms like resentment, overwhelm, or soul entanglements
The difference between taking and receiving—and why this matters in the therapy room
How to begin integrating a systemic lens into your practice, even without formal training
✨ Whether you're new to this work or looking to deepen your lens, this episode is filled with insight, heart, and transformative "aha" moments.
🎧 Also check out Mili's past episodes:
When the Aggressor is You: Therapist Activation in the Playroom 
Attachment to Self: The Cornerstone of Healing
Why Therapists Attract the Clients That They Do
A beautiful and eye-opening conversation you won't want to miss 💖

Originally aired May 20, 2025
Lisa is back with the final episode of the Little Lessons Series, wrapping up this heartfelt Q&A journey by answering your powerful questions including how to navigate moments when connection feels disrupted—whether by a child's shutdown, caregiver dynamics, or those uncomfortable "I don't know what to do" feelings that arise in the therapy process.
In this episode, you'll hear:
Tracy's question: "What do you do when a child goes into shutdown mode?"
Lisa explains how to recognize the signs of a shutdown, why it happens from a nervous system perspective, and how to stay attuned while supporting a child's regulation and reconnection—without pushing or forcing engagement.
Megan's question: "How do you handle it when a caregiver says their child is manipulative or controlling?"
Lisa dives into the layers behind these labels, offering a reframe that helps caregivers understand what's actually happening beneath the behavior. She shares strategies to shift the conversation from blame to curiosity and co-regulation.
Tammy's question: "What do you do when you feel stuck and like you're not doing enough to help the child?"
Lisa gets real about therapist self-doubt, exploring how these moments are often mirrors of the therapeutic process itself. She offers guidance on how to stay regulated, connected, and grounded in presence—even when the answers aren't immediately clear.
Join Lisa for a heartfelt and informative conversation filled with neuroscience, compassion, and real-world wisdom to help you stay present in the messy and beautiful moments of play therapy.

Originally aired June 3, 2025
In this heartfelt and most inspiring episode, Lisa sits down with Catherine and Alicia Denham—the visionary clinical duo behind Mama Owls Minis, Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisors with over 40 years of combined experience. Together, they explore the messy, meaningful, and magical journey of creativity in play therapy, inviting listeners to reconnect with their inner artist and trust their instincts.
This episode dives deep into how therapists can embrace creativity—not as a quest to be "good at art," but as a powerful process of authentic expression, moment-to-moment attunement, and healing. From hand-sculpted sand tray minis to a teenage client's request for a tornado miniature, the conversation is packed with stories, reflections, and practical wisdom that illuminate how creativity invites us to break free from rigid protocols and create what truly fits what the child needs.
You'll hear:
How Alicia transformed from doodling to crafting stunning therapeutic figures
Why Catherine treasures her first "wonky" sculpture as a symbol of imperfection embraced
The creative origins of Synergetic Play Therapy and the tension between formal training and intuitive innovation
Insights on parenting as a creative act—like turning a living room into a sensory playground
How neurodivergent experiences shaped their unique approach to therapy and creativity
Powerful stories of trust, flexibility, and letting go of control in therapy sessions and life
An invitation to therapists to give themselves permission to explore and create what is needed despite self-doubt or fear of rejection
Whether you're dreaming of crafting something new for your clients or simply seeking encouragement to trust your own creative voice, this episode offers inspiration and gentle permission to embrace the imperfect, beautiful process of authentic play and healing.
🎧 Tune in and reconnect with your creative self—your clients and children will thank you.

Originally aired May 6, 2025
Lisa is back with another episode of the Little Lessons Series, answering your insightful questions about navigating the complexities of the playroom. Today's episode focuses on how to handle those challenging moments in therapy where uncertainty, emotional flooding, and parents' concerns come into play.
In this episode, you'll hear:
Chrissy's question: "What do you do when a child can't decide on what to play with or doesn't even play after coming for weeks?"
Lisa breaks down how to navigate moments of hesitation, offering insights on how to remain present and supportive without rushing to fix the situation. She also discusses how emotional age and developmental stage impact engagement in play.
Sally's question: "What do you do when the parent tells you they don't want their child to play with aggressive toys or engage in aggressive play, like war play?"
Lisa explores the importance of understanding the parent's concerns and how to guide the conversation to help them see how aggressive play can be therapeutic and necessary for the child's emotional expression and processing.
Carolyn's question: "How do you respond when a child says 'I love you' or asks if you'll move in with them or be their mother?"
Lisa offers valuable advice on how to respond authentically to these deeply emotional moments, explaining how to navigate the child's need for connection while maintaining professional boundaries and emotional safety.
Join Lisa for a candid and thought-provoking conversation, as she offers practical strategies to help you stay grounded and authentic when facing common and challenging scenarios in the playroom.
🎧 Have a question you'd like Lisa to explore in an upcoming episode? Email your question to info@synergeticplaytherapy.com or send in an audio clip. Your curiosity fuels this podcast—and the entire play therapy community grows because of it.