Lessons from the Playroom

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.

Originally aired April 8, 2025
"Every part of us, even the ones we've been taught to reject, holds the potential for growth and healing." – Mili Shoemaker
Aggression in the playroom is a familiar topic—but what happens when it's not coming from the child, but from within us as therapists? This is a conversation we rarely hear in the play therapy world, yet it's a reality many therapists silently grapple with. In this eye-opening episode, Lisa sits down with Mili Shoemaker, a seasoned play therapist, Synergetic Play Therapy trainer, and clinical supervisor, to explore what it means when therapists feel their own aggression arise in session.
With honesty and compassion, Lisa and Mili unpack the discomfort, shame, and stigma that often accompany these experiences. They dive into the protective patterns that emerge when we try to suppress these feelings, and how true healing begins when we stop rejecting these parts of ourselves.
Together, Lisa and Mili explore:
 
✨ The taboo of therapist aggression – Why this conversation is missing in the play therapy world and why it needs to be heard.
✨ Recognizing therapist activation – How to notice when your own history, protective mechanisms, and triggers show up in the playroom.
✨ Befriending aggression – How shifting from judgment to curiosity about our own aggressive parts creates deeper therapeutic presence.
✨ Embodied expression vs. catharsis – Why aggression isn't something to suppress, but also isn't about explosive release.
✨ The unmet needs beneath aggression – Understanding what these feelings are signaling and how to meet them with self-compassion.
✨ Breaking free from shame – How to reframe aggression as part of our full humanity rather than something to fear or reject.
✨ Integration and authenticity – Why making space for all parts of ourselves strengthens our ability to hold space for our clients.
This episode is an invitation to step into a conversation that has been long overdue—to acknowledge, explore, and ultimately embrace a part of ourselves that holds the potential for healing and growth.
🔗 Tune in and take the next step toward deeper self-acceptance and authenticity in the playroom.
***
💜 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

Originally aired March 25, 2025
"Every child has the capacity to heal and grow, but it starts with meeting them where they are—with respect, curiosity, and an understanding of their unique needs." – Lisa Dion
In this episode, Lisa sits down with Tony Vallance from the Building Better Brains Clinic for a conversation about supporting children with ADHD through play therapy. ADHD is often misunderstood, but with the right tools and understanding, play therapists can help children tap into their strengths while navigating the challenges they face.
This conversation also explores ADHD from a dual perspective—not only through the experiences of the children we work with but also by reflecting on how therapists who identify as neurodivergent or have ADHD/ADD engage with their clients. How do we navigate the "mirrors" or parts of ourselves we see reflected in the children we serve?
Together, Lisa and Tony dive into:
What Play Therapists Need to Know About ADHD: Tony explains the core characteristics of ADHD and how play therapy can help children manage the unique challenges of ADHD.
Creating ADHD-Friendly Play Spaces: Practical tips on designing sensory-friendly, ADHD-conscious therapeutic environments that foster emotional regulation and focus.
The ADHD Brain and Its Impact on Behavior: Insights into how ADHD affects cognitive functioning and behavior, and how play therapy helps children build strategies for resilience.
Supporting Caregivers and Challenging Stigma: The importance of empowering parents and caregivers, and how to combat the societal stigma placed on children with ADHD.
Integrating ADHD Strategies into Play Therapy: Practical strategies for play therapists to create more inclusive and effective therapy sessions.

This episode will help therapists reflect on their own experiences, both as professionals and as individuals who may share similar neurodivergent traits with their clients. Tony's wealth of knowledge and lived-experiences provide valuable guidance for clinicians and caregivers alike.
Tune in to explore the many perspectives on ADHD in play therapy and learn how to adjust your approach to make your practice more inclusive and supportive of neurodivergent children. 🌟
Podcast Resources: 
Find Tony at www.buildingbetterbrains.com.au
Learn more about Hannah's work at https://beyondthelookingglass.org
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
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