Lessons From The Playroom

We’re so excited for this next topic. It’s a topic that’s never been addressed on this podcast series and a topic that is rarely explored in the  field of play therapy. So settle in, grab something to take notes because Lisa is joined by Ludmila (Mila) Golovine to talk about using interpreters in play therapy.  Mila is the CEO and President of MasterWord Services, Inc. As a professional interpreter, Mila is familiar with the toll interpreting for survivors may have on the interpreters themselves. For the past 15 years, she has applied her training in Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) therapy, Synergetic Play Therapy and Trauma Informed Care, as well as skills as a Master Certified Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner and a Certified Demartini Method Facilitator to tirelessly help promote health and wellness for language professionals and raise awareness about the experiences of human trafficking survivors and their language access needs. See below to know a bit more about Mila and her organizati

Original Air Date: September 13, 2022 If you’ve ever studied with Lisa Dion, you know she loves talking about the nervous system. And in this episode, she’s going to talk about the collective nervous systems within families and how to help support the regulation of the family system. If you’re just as excited about this topic as Lisa, you’ll definitely want to take notes for this one …  Here’s what you’ll hear … How nervous system expressions occur within the context of families; How all behavior (even what we term as dysfunctional) is actually functional and has a purpose; How the family system is always in balance and how it is always attempting to equilibrate itself; How to become the external regulator to help regulate the family nervous system; and How to use this information clinically to inform your therapeutic work. Plus, learn a powerful tip that will help you shift the collective nervous system of the family unit in a most transformative way. Podcast Resources:  Synergetic Play Therapy Institute

Original Air Date: October 25, 2022 The one-and-only Bonnie Badenoch* joins Lisa for this beautiful conversation about non-judgmental presence and how this is so critical in our role as therapists.  In this episode, you’ll hear: How, as a profession, we've become concretized into the left hemisphere (e.g., in a movement toward protocols, interventions, and evidence-based therapies) and how this has pulled us more into the role of experts trying to "fix" people; What holding a “non-judgement” presence means;  What the “inner community” is, how to be aware and work with our inner community in order to be present with our clients;   How to return to a non-judgmental presence in moments when we experience judgment (and how to even recognize when we’re in a place of judgment); The 2 pillars of non-judgmental presence and the importance of this in our work; and How to engage in our own reflective processes and having supportive others who can truly hold a nonjudgmental space for you.   Listen to this beautiful co

Join Lisa Dion for a discussion on a topic that has been requested more than once since the beginning of this podcast, and it’s something we all experience (Yes … therapists, parents, children … all human beings on this planet!) …. We’re diving into the intriguing topic of negative self-talk and why we actually can’t get rid of it (... no matter how many positive self-affirmations we say to ourselves).   Through a compelling exploration of the multifaceted dimensions of negative self-talk, discover the brilliant purpose of negative self-talk. Here’s what you’ll hear in this episode:  How negative self-talk emerges (hint: It involves thoughts like "I should," "I shouldn't," "I need to," "I have to," and "I'm not good enough"). The limitations of the positive thinking movement and why we actually can’t get rid of negative self-talk. The function of negative self-talk (...it’s likely not what you think). The neuroscience behind negative self-talk and how it’s a homeostatic mechanism in the mind that is actually

Original Air Date: March 1, 2021 Countertransference is not something we can avoid, get out of, check at the door, or even separate from ourselves ... In this episode, Lisa discusses how transference and countertransference is really the therapeutic landscape from which to support our clients in a process of deep integration and healing. Using a lens of Synergetic Play Therapy®, Lisa offers an understanding of how countertransference is not something to be afraid of, but something that offers incredible wisdom and a window into the inner experiences of our clients. It gives us an opportunity to become curious about our beliefs, both that keep us from being fully present and authentic, and that support us in being more deeply present, more deeply resonant, and ultimately, more deeply attuned. As beautifully stated by Sebern F. Fisher in her book, Neurofeedback in the Treatment of Developmental Trauma: Calming the Fear-Driven Brain, "Countertransference and transference are always co-arising & co-construc

In this engaging episode, Lisa Dion brings together three guests that are near-and-dear to her heart: Michelle Wayman, Mili Shoemaker, and Lisa Walton. All three are either Certified Synergetic Play Therapists or Certified Synergetic Play Providers and are joining her from diverse corners of the world - Argentina, Australia and the United States. Together, they embark on a profound exploration of the intricate connections between the therapist and their clients, with a particular emphasis on the intriguing question of why therapists seem to attract the clients they do. Have you ever found yourself wondering why certain clients gravitate towards you? Have you ever noticed patterns where clients with similar struggles appear in waves on your caseload? Or, that you have clients struggling with the same type of challenges? If so, perhaps this isn’t just a coincidence! In this episode, Lisa and these amazing therapists explore the multifaceted reasons behind the client-therapist connection. They discuss how therap

Original Air Date: April 13, 2021 How do we know when we are grumpy, tired, overheated, or overwhelmed? ... Lisa talks about this 8th sense called Interoception or the "How do we know" sense, which is absolutely critical to enhancing a child's regulatory capacity ... Why? Because what we see in the playroom is actually not behavioral issues, but really the child's inability to stay connected and regulate through the activation of the Autonomic Nervous System (ANS). But what does this have to do with Interoception? ... Regulation and attunement starts with our interoceptive capacity. We can teach children tons of regulation strategies, but if they cannot register the clues that let them know they need to regulate in the first place, what we've done is just handed them tools that they have no clue how or when to use.  And as therapists we need to have this capacity enhanced in us!  Lisa shares ideas for starting to develop the interoceptive capacity in ourselves as therapists and our child clients, in this real

In this episode, Lisa Dion is joined by the fantabulous and oh-so-knowledgeable Heather Fairlee Denbrough, a Certified Synergetic Play Therapist/Supervisor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. Together, they tackle one of the most requested and also one of the most scariest topics for therapists … providing support to children dealing with suicidal ideation and attempts.  This episode is a valuable resource for any caregiver or professional working with children. Join Lisa and Heather as they shed light on this important and often misunderstood topic, providing insights, strategies, and hope for supporting children who may be experiencing suicidal thoughts. Don't miss out on this crucial conversation! Key Takeaways: Recognizing subtle signs of suicidal ideation in children Creating a safe space for children to express their feelings Holding space for children through play to explore and shift their stories and perceptions Developing structured safety plans with children

Original Air Date: July 5, 2022 We're resharing this fabulous conversation between Lisa and Carmen Jimenez-Pride to talk about Internal Family Systems (IFS) and how to incorporate it in the playroom! In this episode, Carmen, a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and an Internal Family Systems therapist herself, shares how the Internal Family Systems framework  offers a really cool way to hold the client’s experience in the playroom, as well as our experience as therapists. Whether you are or aren’t familiar with IFS, you will definitely want to have a listen!  Here’s a few things you’ll hear discussed in this conversation:  What IFS looks like in the playroom and for our child clients; How to help your clients build a relationship with all parts of themselves (e.g., exiles, protectors, and firefighters); How to support the client in fully embracing all aspects of themselves and the experiences that made them who they are;  How to share the IFS work with parents/caregivers and how to help parents understand

In this episode, Lisa and Robyn Gobbel talk about a topic never discussed before on this podcast and super important for us as clinicians working with kids ... They're talking about the brain (...Robyn loves to talk about the brain), and more specifically how to teach kids about the brain.  But first, we're so excited to announce Robyn's new book coming out this month, Raising Kids with Big Baffling Behaviors: Brain-Body-Sensory Strategies that Really Work!! Weaving together relational neuroscience with practical ideas and application, Robyn has created the ultimate guide for parents who would love to understand and ultimately transform their children's challenging behaviors into safety and connection (... guaranteed, after listening to this episode, you're going to want to go get your copy today!). Robyn also gets the reward for favorite bio that Lisa has ever read ... see below for Robyn's bio (... it really gives you a sense of her awesomeness) and a link to her website to learn about her new book and so m

Original Air Date: February 1, 2022 OMG! - the synergy between Lisa and this guest is … well, let’s just say, it’s like getting an opportunity to eavesdrop on a beautiful conversation between two brilliant minds! (... and we just couldn't help share this podcast episode again :) Kim Barthel is an award winning Occupational Therapist, teacher, and best-selling author who has successfully merged play, Polyvagal Theory and Sensory Processing. Tune in and discover: *Ways to more deeply understand the body, nervous system activation, and what it looks like in your client; *How to truly understand a child client’s behavior at a deeper level (hint: it has to do with perception and body movement); *How to visibly identify confirmation that something has integrated in the child (e.g., their moments of empowerment or deep connection to themselves); *The biggest misunderstanding about the autonomic nervous system; and *What regulation truly means, how it’s connected to the body, and ideas for how to regulate more throug

Often, when we think about boundaries, we imagine a list of rules and restrictions like: you can’t do this, you can do this, and if you don’t do this, this is going to happen. But this isn’t actually the essence of a boundary and it’s not what the boundary is designed for.  Setting boundaries is actually a courageous act that requires self-awareness and self-love. It's about prioritizing your own well-being and honoring your own needs. And by understanding the importance of boundaries, we can navigate relationships and maintain our connection to ourselves. Join Lisa in this episode where you’re invited to embrace a more flexible approach to boundaries … but we get it - even the words "flexible" and "boundary" may seem contradictory to you right now.  Here’s what you’ll learn:  Why boundaries are flexible and can change from moment to moment; How setting boundaries is about taking responsibility for ourselves, not controlling others; How to recognize the clues (in our bodies) that tell us when it’s time to se

Original Air Date: April 26, 2022 In this Lessons from the Playroom podcast from August 2022, Lisa clarifies one of the biggest misconceptions out there right now for parents and therapists - that regulation means being CALM. ...You’ve likely heard the idea that a child needs a calm adult in order to regulate - that in order to regulate, the adult needs to be and stay calm - or that an adult's "calm" presence is the answer to regulating a child when they are dysregulated. But if you’ve ever tried to truly stay calm when a child is activated, screaming, throwing a tantrum, doing something scary, or even shutting down and withdrawing, you know that it's actually really hard to be or stay calm (... nearly impossible) because inside you’re likely feeling your own activation and states of dysregulation.   So what do we do instead? ....  Join Lisa is this discussion and learn: What regulation is and what it isn't (defining regulation in relation to the autonomic nervous system); How to access our ventral state in

To say that we’re excited for this conversation is an understatement because today’s topic is in the top three of the most requested topics since this podcast’s inception. We’ve been waiting for the perfect person to educate us on this topic, and there is no one better than Dr. Jodi Mullen to help us explore, understand, and make sense of a child’s sexualized play.  Dr. Jodi Ann Mullen, PhD LMHC NCC RPT-S CCPT-Master, is a professor at SUNY Oswego in the Counseling & Psychological Services Department and the coordinator of the Graduate Certificate Program in Play Therapy. She is the Director of Integrative Counseling Services, with several offices in Central New York.  Jodi is an international speaker, author, credentialed play therapist and play therapy supervisor.  She has 30 years in the field of counseling (... impressive!) and has authored books on play therapy, counseling children and adolescents, grief counseling and parenting.  Listen to this incredibly helpful and connecting conversation that wil

Original Air Date: August 23, 2019 The brain is a high maintenance organ, one that wants a challenge! In order to stay passionate in our careers as play therapists, we must give the brain the growth it craves. But we must give ourselves permission too – the permission to be ourselves and pursue what inspires us. "We all have deep within us the desire to pursue something that inspires us. We have a natural desire to evolve and grow" - Lisa Dion Podcast Resources:  Synergetic Play Therapy Institute Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey  Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity * If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and invite your friends/fellow colleagues to join us.

Lisa is joined by another very very special guest, Gabriel (Gabe) Lomas, to cover a topic that has never been addressed on this podcast (...and very rarely at a play therapy conference) …  Understanding and working with deaf children in the playroom.  Gabe is a professor and Program Director of Counseling Programs at Gallaudet University in Washington, DC. He’s been an RPT-S for many years and is the immediate past president of the New York branch of the Association for Play Therapy. Gabriel has performed assessment and treatment in over 2000 child welfare cases, including hundreds involving deaf children or deaf parents. He is the co-editor of the book “Deaf People in the Criminal Justice System: Selected Topics on Advocacy, Incarceration and Social Justice.” As well as many journal articles and book chapters in the field of counseling and psychology. He is a popular expert witness in courts across the nation where he consults on issues related to assessment and deaf people. Amazing! Here’s what you can expe

Original Air Date: October 1, 2017 Boredom in the playroom is something most therapists experience  - from an unyielding yawn to counting the ticks of a slow-moving clock, we've all found ourselves less than enthused in one session or another. But boredom isn't always a negative thing. Sometimes, it's a gentle reminder that it's time to grow. "Boredom in the playroom may be a messenger. This turns it from something negative into your greatest friend." -Lisa Dion Podcast Resources:  Synergetic Play Therapy Institute Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey  Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity * If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and invite your friends/fellow colleagues to join us.

Lisa Dion has with her an extraordinary guest, Dr. Dee Ray to talk about an incredibly important topic for us as play therapists, Multiculturalism in Play Therapy (...  if you don’t already have Dee’s book, Multicultural Play Therapy, we hope you’ll go buy it by the end of this podcast. It’s a must-have for every therapist that works with kids!)  Dee Ray, Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC, RPT-S is Regents Professor and Elaine Millikan Mathes Professor in Early Childhood Education in the Counseling Program and Co-Director of the Center for Play Therapy at the University of North Texas. She has published over 150 articles, chapters, and books in the field of play therapy. Dr. Ray is a founding board member and past president of the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling, as well as current board chair of the Association for Play Therapy. Dr. Ray also co-created and oversees the international certification program for Child-Centered Play Therapy and Child-Parent Relationship Therapy, as well as currently operates the

Original Air Date: June 07, 2022 Lisa has a really special guest joining her for this episode and they’re doing something different today … It’s time to talk about business! - One of the most important topics we don’t talk much about as therapists. And to help Lisa out with this conversation, she has Jen Taylor who’s going to be interviewing her on her business journey.  If you’ve ever wondered about Lisa and her entrepreneurial journey, what it took for her to build the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute or create this podcast, get ready for an insightful and inspiring conversation where you’ll get to know Lisa a little more and get some business insights along the way. Tune in and hear the answers to some very fun questions such as: What was Lisa like as a child and how did this influence her becoming a business owner and entrepreneur? How did Lisa hone her craft as a teacher (...and some tricks she uses to manage the anxiety she has before she teaches or gets on stage- yes she still gets anxious!)? How did

The beautiful Marshall Lyles is again joining Lisa Dion for another Lessons from the Playroom episode, but this time to talk about understanding Ableism and Disablism in the Playroom.  Marshall Lyles, LMFT-S, LPC-S, RPT-S, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, has 20 years of practice in family play therapy. Drawing on lessons learned from working with attachment trauma in a variety of settings, Marshall regularly teaches on sandtray therapy and family work around the globe. In our opinion, Marshall is one of the leading voices in helping us understand ableism and disablism. You can connect with him at www.marshalllyles.com. In this episode, Marshall and Lisa tackle this commonly occurring, yet secretly held subject of ableism and disablism in our field. Here’s what you’ll hear: How ableism and institutionalized ableism has entered our profession, and how we might be perpetuating ableist norms for our clients or even for each other as therapists;  How to step into the mind of another in order to really have the suffic