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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 the ...
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Lessons from the Playroom
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Lessons from the Playroom Episode 86: Healing Touch in Play Therapy
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Join Lisa Dion and guest Sonya Joyce as they discuss perhaps one of the most important topics in the play therapy process - touch! ... "Whether we like it or not, touch is a part of the play therapy experience." ... With this in mind, they explore ways to become more mindful and thoughtful about how to bring healing touch to children in the playroo…
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Lessons from the Playroom
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Lessons from the Playroom Episode 85: Understanding Left-Brain / Right-Brain Decision Making
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"The dysregulation in our body is information about the congruency of our decisions." As you enter into 2021, explore how to manifest decisions that are congruent and in alignment with your authentic self. Join Lisa in this unique Lessons from the Playroom podcast that's not just about play therapy. She'll help you explore how to plan, reflect and …
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Lessons from the Playroom
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Lessons from the Playroom Episode 84: Wrapping our Minds Around Digital Play Therapy
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32:37
"Often the question is, 'Why would we include digital tools in play therapy?" ... But the more important question is, 'Why wouldn't we?!'" -Dr. Jessica Stone * Join Lisa Dion and special guest, Dr. Jessica Stone, PhD in a lively conversation about demystifying the world of digital play therapy. They explore what digital play therapy is all about, h…
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Lessons from the Playroom Episode 83: "The Test" in Play Therapy
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We’ve all experienced the “test” in the playroom. Is it personal? Is it not personal? How do we make sense of it? Lisa discusses this natural occurrence that happens in relationships, the importance of authenticity and congruence (and what that even means), and ultimately how to “show up” when the therapist is “tested.” Tune in as we discuss what t…
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Lessons from the Playroom Episode 82: Helping Children with Online Learning
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"When children are disengaged from learning, there is a disconnect between what they are being asked to learn and their interest level, style/way of learning." - Lisa Dion As we all know, not all children are thriving with online learning. Many children are really struggling as their routines, ability to engage with their peers and so much more has…
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Lessons from the Playroom Episode 81: Working with Sensory and Neurodevelopmental Challenges through Teletherapy
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"Sensory work requires a co-facilitator and co-regulator, and can be very workable and adaptable even via tele-therapy." -Robert Jason Grant Join Lisa and special guest Robert Jason Grant as they demystify the world of teletherapy when working with clients that have sensory and neurodevelopmental challenges. Discover why working with this populatio…
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Lessons from the Playroom Episode 80: An Interview with Lisa - Behind the Microphone
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To her thousands of listeners around the world, Lisa expresses in gratitude, "Thank you for providing me with a sense of home." ~ It's time to turn the tables! For 80 episodes, Lisa has shared play therapy knowledge and insights, interviewed special guests and helped create discussion and new learning for clinicians all over the world. But who is t…
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Lessons from the Playroom Episode 79: Infant Mental Health and Play Therapy
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"It's about the therapist's ability to attune in order to facilitate a process of attunement and playful touch between caregiver and infant." - Janet Courtney Traditional play therapy targets children ages 3 and older, but what about the children who aren't yet three? How do we help these children? Join Lisa as she talks about infant mental health …
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Lessons from the Playroom Episode 78: Conflict In and Out of the Playroom
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Why is conflict so hard to deal with when it arises and something we want to avoid? Listen as Lisa shares what to do when conflict shows up, why it's actually a necessary part of growth, and how to cultivate a relationship within ourselves when it comes up in relationships both in and out of the playroom.…
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Lessons from the Playroom Episode 77: Working with Emotional Age in Play Therapy
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When our clients come to session it is easy to get caught up in thinking that they are their age, when in fact, they are not their age. At least not their chronological age. This episode is dedicated to helping you begin to understand the difference between emotional age and chronological age, a few clues to help you spot emotional age and regressi…
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Lessons from the Playroom Episode 76: Attuning to Body Language in Play Therapy
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Learning how to attune to body language, our own and the child's is an essential component for co-regulation in play therapy. Staying in our own window of tolerance to helping the child move towards their own discomfort depends on it. Tune in as we learn how the body never lies and how we can become more adept at listening to its wisdom.…
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Lessons from the Playroom Episode 75: Supporting Parents during the Pandemic
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From the uncertainty, having to homeschool, working from home, navigating family dynamics, and all the other challenges that parents are being confronted with, it is no wonder that so many are feeling burned out, questioning themselves, and needing extra support. Join Lisa and special guest, Clair Mellenthin, as they talk about how attachment, the …
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Lessons from the Playroom Episode #74: Social Justice in Play Therapy
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What is social justice? What is oppression? What is intersectionality? Join Lisa Dion and as she invites Nora Alwah, social justice educator and therapist, to explore these questions and offer guidance to therapists on how they can support children and families in ways that create connection, attunement and empowerment.…
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Lessons from the Playroom 73: Supporting Children through Anxiety and the Unknown
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When life and situations become unpredictable, children have to orient to the unfamiliar just like adults do. The difference is that their brains are a little further behind in their capacity to regulate through it often leading to high levels of anxiety and other symptoms. Tune is as we explore how to support children through their anxiety and fin…
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Lessons from the Playroom Episode 72: Facilitating the Parent Check-in in Play Therapy
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Talking with parents is an important part of the play therapy process, but what do we say? How do we help them understand what their child is working on? How do we communicate in a way that keep them engaged? Tune in as we explore how to check in with our clients' most important people.
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Lessons from the Playroom Episode 71: Understanding Vicarious Trauma and Compassion Fatigue in Play Therapy
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Vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue are far more common experiences for play therapists than we realize, especially during times of crisis. And how are they further impacted when play therapists are going through the same crisis, such as the COVID19 pandemic? Tune in to this very important conversation that is essential for all play therapists …
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Lessons from the Playroom Episode 70: Understanding the Four Threats to the Brain in a Crisis
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During a crisis, such as the current pandemic, waves of dysregulation can often feel like a daily experience and even the norm. Why? Because our brains are not just perceiving one threat, but four! Tune in as we revisit the 4 threats to the brain and learn the impact they may be having on our nervous system, as well as the key to regulating and com…
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Lessons from the Playroom Episode 69: Online Play Therapy and Therapist Fatigue
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Working with children and families virtually can surprisingly cause fatigue for the play therapist. From a difference in non-verbal cues to the way we sit to the lighting in the room, from hydration to whether or not we’re wearing shoes, all sorts of things play a role. Tune in to learn how to make online play therapy synergize with your nervous sy…
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Lessons from the Playroom Episode 68: The Vagus Nerve - Why it's a Key to Regulation
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28:22
The vagus nerve is one of the most important nerves in your body. Not only is it vital to regulation, but it plays a role in immunity and helps the body recover faster from damage. Fortunately, there are several simple ways to stimulate this nerve and help keep it (and your body) working as optimally as possible.…
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Lessons from the Playroom Episode 67: Nature in Play Therapy (Part 2)
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36:36
From the mountains to the trees to the warm summer's breeze, sometimes we just need our Mother Earth. Bringing nature into play therapy provides a wonderful opportunity to further regulate yourself and your client. But you don't always have to be outside to benefit from nature's nurturing tendencies. Join us as we explore the great outdoors once mo…
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Lessons from the Playroom Episode 66: Lying in Play Therapy
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While lying often gets a bad rap, everybody lies (yep, even you!). In fact, it has less to do with manipulation and more to do with protection of self. In other words, lying has a purpose. As therapists, it's up to us to recognize the feelings underneath the fib.
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Lessons from the Playroom Episode 65: Cooperative Games in Play Therapy
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Cooperative Games are growing in popularity, likely because of their ability to cultivate teamwork and appreciation of one another. In the playroom, they're used effectively with siblings and families, reminding each player that it's not about winning; it's about the experience.
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Lessons from the Playroom Episode 64: Supporting Adoptive and Foster Parents in Play Therapy
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Working with adoptive and foster parents is a rewarding experience, but the lack of education that runs rampant poses a challenge. As therapists, one of the most important things we can do is fill in the gaps while allowing them the space to grieve.
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Lessons from the Playroom Episode 63: Presence in the Playroom
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26:04
Much to Barbie's chagrin, you're the most important toy in the playroom. Still, showing up for a session isn't enough: you must be fully present too. But in order to become present with the child, you must first learn how to be present with yourself.
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Lessons from the Playroom Episode 62: Spirituality in the Playroom
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Spirituality in the playroom not only means working with clients and families who may hold different belief systems, but it also means finding your own. For some, this is a higher power; for others, play therapy is their spiritual path.
