#60 How Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) Can Change Your Work with Kids
Love, Happiness and Success for Therapists
Release Date: 03/19/2025
Love, Happiness and Success for Therapists
Is your therapy practice future-ready… or are your AI tools quietly writing your client notes — and maybe rewriting your ethics policy, too? If you’re a therapist trying to make sense of what the heck is going on with AI in our field right now, this episode is for you. Whether you’re using AI daily, avoiding it like a bad EHR platform, or somewhere in between, you need to hear this conversation. In today’s episode of Love, Happiness & Success for Therapists, I sit down with cyberpsychologist and licensed counselor Dr. Rachel Wood to talk about — and why we, as ethical...
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This one is SO important... we're doing it again. After originally posting this episode earlier in the year, I've had so many messages from therapist colleagues about how helpful and important this info was, I wanted to put it back at the top. Additionally, I have created a free cheat sheet with the changes that I made to my own disclosure statement after recording this interview (because I too, learned a lot) and I'm happy to share this with you. DM me on Linkedin or just shoot me an email (). xo, Lisa = There's something none of us want to deal with, but absolutely need to be prepared...
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Ever wondered how a coach with zero credentials is charging triple what you make—and people are lining up to pay them?! It's enough to make any seasoned, licensed, ethics-loving therapist want to throw their DSM across the room. In this juicy episode of Love, Happiness & Success for Therapists, I’m pulling back the curtain on why so often leaves therapist rates in the dust. Coaches are NOT more skilled or more capable of change work. They’re just playing an entirely different game. A game that rewards confidence, clarity, marketing savvy, and outcomes over credentials and...
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Ever had a dream client vanish the second you said, “I don’t take insurance”? In this episode of Love, Happiness, and Success for Therapists, I’m breaking down one of the most frustrating, deflating, and pivotal conversations we have in private practice: and self-pay therapy (without spiraling, apologizing, or selling yourself short). I walk you through exactly how to handle that record-scratch moment with clarity, confidence, and integrity—so you can stop losing ideal clients and start owning your value. We’ll explore why the insurance model was never built for growth work,...
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Ever had a client look at you, desperate for help, and ask, “What should I do?” Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on a dilemma that I hear from therapists all the time: “My clients are stuck, they need direction, and they’re asking me for advice. But I’m supposed to stay neutral, right?” On one hand, we want to help, but on the other, we’ve been trained to stay neutral and let the client find their own answers. So What’s the right move when your client is stuck and clearly craving direction? In this episode of Love, Happiness and Success For Therapists, we're diving...
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Therapists, what if I told you your photo, credentials, and carefully crafted bio might be sitting on a website you never signed up for—used to funnel therapy-seeking clients into ? I know you might be thinking, “That could never happen to me…” But it’s a rapidly increasing issue that’s affecting therapists across the country right this second. And it could happen to you too. In this episode of Love, Happiness and Success for Therapists, I’m digging into the disturbing world of fake therapy platforms, profile scraping, and the deceptive tactics being used by some online...
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Have you ever gotten that really sweet message from a client saying, “Hey, I told my friend about you—they’re reaching out!” and felt… conflicted? On the one hand, it’s a huge compliment. On the other? It throws you right into the middle of an ethical tightrope walk. , it can feel like walking a fine line between appreciation and professional chaos. In this episode of Love, Happiness, and Success for Therapists, I’ll share a behind-the-scenes story from my own practice where a client referred a friend—who happened to be their business partner—and how things unraveled when...
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Ever felt like you’re missing that one tool in your therapy toolkit that could help your clients truly heal and reconnect with their best selves? Well, in today’s episode of Love, Happiness and Success for Therapists, I’m chatting with Dr. Dick Schwartz, founder of the , about the power of IFS and how it can be a game-changer for your clients. IFS is more than just a therapy model—it's a transformative approach that helps clients access their own core Self, heal their internal wounds, and lead their lives with compassion, confidence, and calm. It's about connecting with the...
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You’re a therapist, not a career strategist, right? That’s what I told myself for years—until the zillionth client sat across from me, looked me dead in the eye, and asked, “What should I do with my life?” Cue the record scratch. Let’s be real: we’re trained to hold emotional space, diagnose, treat, and heal — but when it comes to career development and professional identity? Most of us are flying blind. In this episode, I sit down with the brilliant Suzy Welch — NYU professor, bestselling author, and creator of the Becoming You methodology — to talk about how therapists...
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Ever wonder how to truly help your clients build more secure attachment styles? This episode of Love, Happiness, and Success for Therapists is for you! I’m sitting down with the brilliant Dr. Daniel Siegel—one of the world’s leading experts in attachment science and childhood development. Together, we’re unpacking the latest research and ideas you can take straight into your practice. Dr. Siegel’s approach goes beyond the basics of attachment theory, blending personality, temperament, and attachment into a powerful framework that creates truly personalized client experiences. This...
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Therapists, have you ever wondered how to truly make an impact in the lives of children through therapy? If so, you're in for a treat! In this episode of Love, Happiness, and Success For Therapists, I sit down with Dr. Brenna Hicks, a psychologist who specializes in Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT). Whether you're just starting out or looking to specialize further, this approach could be the key to unlocking the full potential of your work with kids.
We dive into the foundational principles of CCPT and how it fosters emotional regulation, self-control, and the healing power of relationships. Play therapy can be a game changer in helping kids develop the skills they need to thrive, and this episode will leave you with a clear understanding of how it works and why it’s so effective.
Timestamps:
00:39 – Meet Dr. Brenna Hicks: From Geriatrics to Play Therapy
01:58 – How a Simple Shift in Perspective Led to Play Therapy
05:31 – The Impact of Labels on Kids’ Development
08:23 – Play Therapy: How It Transforms Children’s Lives
09:37 – The Evidence Behind Child-Centered Play Therapy
12:12 – What is Child-Centered Play Therapy?
21:02 – Why CCPT Works Across Ages and Issues
29:57 – The Role of Vulnerability in Child Development
30:39 – Creating a Safe Environment for Kids’ Growth
32:06 – Navigating Modern Challenges: Screen Time and More
37:37 – Techniques and Benefits of CCPT
40:53 – Why Specializing is Key for Therapists
53:28 – Resources and Support for Play Therapy Clinicians
If you loved this interview with Dr. Brenna Hicks, there’s more where that came from! You can sign up for my weekly newsletter to be the first to know about new podcast episodes featuring interviews with fellow therapists and experts, as well as practical advice for personal and professional growth in our field. It’s all about making sure you feel supported, informed, and confident as you grow in your work.
If you’re looking to take the conversation further, I’d love to connect with you on LinkedIn! Whether you have a specific question or just want to engage in a deeper conversation about therapy, self-care, or growing a successful practice, I’m here to chat. We’re in this together, and having a supportive network is the best way to stay grounded and inspired. I’d be so happy to hear from you.
Xoxo
Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby
www.growingself.com
P.S. If you know a colleague or someone in your professional community who could benefit from this episode, please share it with them! You never know who might need to hear these insights today.