The Power of You: Why Your Personality Matters in Child-Centered Play Therapy

Play Therapy Podcast

In this episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I continue our summer school series by diving into the eighth and final principle from Gary Landreth's "Innovations in Play Therapy." This principle focuses on establishing therapeutic limits that help children accept personal and appropriate relationship responsibility.

I explore the importance of setting limits in child-centered play therapy, emphasizing how these limits provide security and safety within the therapeutic relationship. I discuss the balance between granting autonomy and setting necessary boundaries, and how this approach helps children develop self-discipline and self-control.

Throughout the episode, I highlight the significance of maintaining neutrality when setting limits, the importance of being a helpful authority figure, and the critical role of the therapist's personality characteristics and interpersonal skills in building a therapeutic relationship. I conclude by reminding listeners that it's not just about techniques or materials, but about who you are as a therapist that truly makes a difference in the healing process.

Episode Reference: Landreth, G. L. (Ed.). (2001). Innovations in play therapy: Issues, process, and special populations. Brunner-Routledge.

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Common References: Cochran, N., Nordling, W., & Cochran, J. (2010). Child-Centered Play Therapy (1st ed.). Wiley. VanFleet, R., Sywulak, A. E., & Sniscak, C. C. (2010). Child-centered play therapy. Guilford Press. Landreth, G.L. (2023). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship (4th ed.). Routledge. Bratton, S. C., Landreth, G. L., Kellam, T., & Blackard, S. R. (2006). Child parent relationship therapy (CPRT) treatment manual: A 10-session filial therapy model for training parents. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group. Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.