115. Judy Norman: Transforming Education: Empowering Educators & Students
Release Date: 03/14/2022
Lessons from the Playroom
Original Air Date: July 29, 2020 Discover the profound language of the body in therapy! In this episode, Lisa delves into the power of attuning to both our own and the child's body language, crucial for fostering co-regulation in therapeutic settings. Gain valuable techniques for staying within your window of tolerance to guide children through their discomfort. Join Lisa to explore the unerring wisdom of the body and learn to deepen your ability to listen and respond effectively to your clients. "The body never lies. The body is always revealing the truth relative to the individual's...
info_outline 166. Giving a Voice to Children with PANS/PANDAS with Dr. Montserrat CasadoLessons from the Playroom
In today’s episode, we delve into one of the most requested topics of the past year. Dr. Montserrat Casado joins Lisa to shed light on PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections), offering invaluable insights for supporting children, parents, and therapists. Tune in as Montse and Lisa engage in a captivating conversation, debunking misconceptions about PANS/PANDAS, and offering new ways of understanding and supporting clients and caregivers. Discover Montse's personal journey and...
info_outline Special: Staying on Course: The #1 Thing That Will Get You Off Track As A TherapistLessons from the Playroom
Original Air Date: February 15, 2022 In this Lessons from the Playroom episode, Lisa discusses the #1 thing that will get you off track as a therapist ... and it's trying to be someone you’re not! Despite messages that might suggest differently, authenticity and "being yourself" is not easy and has so many implications for therapists. Join Lisa in a conversation to explore: How you know when you're trying to be someone you're not; Why it's so important to be yourself in the playroom; How to show up most like yourself and embody what feels true for you as a therapist; and How to access...
info_outline 165. The Mind-Body Blueprint: How Symptoms in the Body are Connected to Mental Health with Dave HompesLessons from the Playroom
Join us in this enlightening episode as we delve into uncharted territory with guest Dave Hompes, a renowned author, nutritionist, functional medicine practitioner, and mind-body coach. With his extensive expertise in integrative approaches to health, Dave sheds light on the intricate connection between psychology and the dynamics of the mind and body. In this captivating conversation, discover: Insights into the profound relationship between nutrition and mental health through compelling case studies, including epilepsy, Autism Spectrum, Tourette syndrome, and more. The most important...
info_outline Special: Engaging Children from the Start: Tips & Techniques with Liana LowensteinLessons from the Playroom
Original Air Date: March 1st 2022 This next Lessons from the Playroom guest gave Lisa the most amazing surprise when she jumped on - it filled Lisa with so much joy, delight and an urge to connect … And this is totally what they’re talking about today - how to captivate, engage, be with (along with what to do), and create a playful connection with your child clients during the initial play therapy session. Lisa is joined by the one and only . Liana is a Registered Clinical Social Worker, Certified Play Therapist - Supervisor, and Certified TF-CBT therapist who has been working...
info_outline 164. Play Therapy Across the Lifespan: Nurturing Healing Through Symbolic Repair with Tara McDonald & Karen O’NeillLessons from the Playroom
Join Lisa as she hosts Tara McDonald and Karen O'Neill from PIP Solutions UK in an engaging discussion on the versatile practice of play therapy across the lifespan, with an added focus on the concept of symbolic repair. Prepare to be captivated by this episode, as it is filled with insightful content that you'll want to jot down or take notes! Key Insights: Discover the various forms that play therapy can take, spanning from infancy through childhood, adolescence, and into adulthood. Embrace the notion of allowing oneself to be playful, whether interacting with a parent-child dyad or...
info_outline Special: Empowering Parents/Caregivers as Co-Regulators for their ChildrenLessons from the Playroom
Original Air Date: September 28, 2021 Embark on a transformative journey with Lisa Dion in this compelling episode as she navigates the fundamental question at the core of play therapy practice: "How do I empower parents/caregivers to become a co-regulator or external regulator for their child?" Guided by the mantra of treating parents/caregivers the way we wish them to treat their children, Lisa delves into the intricacies of supporting parents who may lack a regulation template, struggle with the art of regulation, or find their own internal disorganization echoing in their child's...
info_outline 163. Making the Tough Decisions: Navigating the Terrain of Courage, Neurobiology & AuthenticityLessons from the Playroom
In this episode, we’re turning the tables back toward Lisa’s direction to discuss what it takes to make hard decisions (both personal and professional), the courage it takes to make the hard decisions, and the reasons we don’t make hard decisions. And joining Lisa for this discussion is the perfect person to have the conversation - Robert Abel, Jr., Operations Director for the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute. Join us for a deep dive into the world of decision-making, touching on: Understanding the neurobiology and relational aspects that make decision-making challenging. ...
info_outline Special: Working with Attachment from the Lens of Equine Assisted Therapy with Duey FreemanLessons from the Playroom
Original Air Date: January 16, 2023 Lisa is joined by an incredibly important person in her life - Duey Freeman, a former professor at Naropa University (Lisa’s alma mater) and founder of the Gestalt Institute of the Rockies and the Gestalt Equine Institute. Duey, a true “elder” (as he is described by many) and mentor in the field of attachment and human development, was Lisa’s former graduate school professor and has been one the most instrumental professors in her career. (see below for Duey's full bio*) Get ready to learn about a new way to conceptualize the attachment process and...
info_outline Special: Navigating Goodbyes & Endings for Children & Caregivers in Play TherapyLessons from the Playroom
Original Air Date: July 6, 2021 Goodbyes can stir up complex emotions for our clients, their families, and even us as therapists. In this week's episode, join Lisa Dion as she delves into the art of saying goodbye in the therapeutic context. Discover valuable insights on recognizing the right moment for a child to transition and gain practical strategies to offer essential support to both the child and their parents or caregivers, especially in those challenging moments when saying goodbye feels particularly tough. Lisa shares her wisdom on this essential aspect of therapeutic work, ensuring...
info_outlineDrumroll please ….. Lisa Dion and her next guest have a super exciting announcement to make (hint: if you’re a teacher, educator, school counselor or work in any way with schools, you’re going to love this 😍)
Join Lisa and Judy Norman, Certified SPT therapist/supervisor and SPT co-teacher as they share the launch of the Synergetic Education™ Institute (https://synergeticeducation.com/). 🎉🙌
...It's been years in the making as they've both seen the profound impact of bringing Synergetic Play Therapy® tenets into schools to support educators, school-based mental health professionals, and educational leaders.
In fact, it's been such a success, Heather Forbes, Founder of Beyond Consequences Institute, "Help for Billy" Author, Speaker, and Developmental Trauma Expert (...many of you may know of her) referred to one of their schools as the most advanced trauma-informed schools she's ever visited! (...wow, thank you Heather 🙏💕).
Not only will you learn more about this new Institute and it’s trainings - a real paradigm shift, but you’ll also hear:
- *Ways to collaborate with schools if you’re a play therapist;
- How to shift your mindset to help empower educators;
- The 5 developmental stages of where an educator is at in the process of meeting children where they are at;
- A reframe on what trauma-informed really means at an education level;
- How to redefine self-care and help teachers develop a deeper relationship within themselves (SPT-style);
- New resources that you can bring into your practice today.
Listen to today's episode and discover why Heather Forbes believes that what Judy and the Synergetic Education™ Institute is doing in the schools is creating “the most [that she has ever visited. - And she has visited a lot!] advanced trauma-informed school(s)” where every student knows “they matter and are important.”
* 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.
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* Follow Lisa Dion and the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube. Lisa Dion’s Book, Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach for Integrating Extremes is available in English, Spanish and on Audible.
*Find more information and free resources to support you on your play therapist journey at https://synergeticplaytherapy.com/
* Interested in APT Approved CE credits and courses delivered to your living room? Take a look at all our play therapy training, available on our learning website: https://learn.synergeticplaytherapy.com/