Special: Mandalas in Play Therapy: A Transformative Tool for Healing with Tracy Turner-Bumberry
Release Date: 05/13/2025
Why Negative Self-Talk Isn’t the Enemy (Best Of)
Lessons from the Playroom
Original Air Date: November 7, 2023 Join Lisa Dion as she dives into a topic we all experience—therapists, parents, children—negative self-talk. Despite the countless affirmations we try, negative self-talk refuses to go away. But what if it wasn’t meant to? In this perspective-shifting episode, Lisa explores the purpose behind negative self-talk and how it can actually support us. What You’ll Learn: How negative self-talk shows up in thoughts like “I should,” “I shouldn’t,” and “I’m not good enough” Why positive affirmations alone often don’t work The surprising...
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The Clients We Attract: Mirrors for Therapist Growth (Best Of)
Lessons from the Playroom
Original Air Date: October 24, 2023 In this captivating episode, Lisa Dion is joined by three incredible colleagues—Michelle Wayman, Mili Shoemaker, and Lisa Walton—from Argentina, Australia, and the United States. Together, they explore a fascinating question: why do therapists attract the clients they do? Have you noticed patterns in your caseload, with clients showing up who reflect similar struggles or challenges? Lisa and her guests dive into how these connections are far from random. Clients often act as mirrors, reflecting parts of our own experiences and guiding us toward...
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Nurturing Your Brain and Your Inspiration as a Play Therapist (Best Of)
Lessons from the Playroom
The brain is a high-maintenance organ—and it thrives on challenge! In this episode, Lisa Dion explores how play therapists can stay energized, inspired, and fulfilled by giving the brain the growth it craves while also giving ourselves permission to be authentically ourselves. “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 Tune in to discover practical ways to honor your brain’s need for growth, embrace what excites you, and stay connected to what drew you to play therapy in the first place. This...
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Supporting Children Through Suicidal Thoughts: Insights for Caregivers and Therapists (Best Of)
Lessons from the Playroom
Original Air Date: October 10, 2023 In this powerful episode, Lisa Dion is joined by the incredible Heather Fairlee Denbrough—Certified Synergetic Play Therapist/Supervisor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor—to tackle one of the most challenging and important topics in child therapy: supporting children experiencing suicidal ideation or attempts. This conversation is an essential resource for caregivers and professionals alike. Lisa and Heather offer practical guidance, hope, and strategies to help children navigate these overwhelming...
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Broken Toys and Other Hidden Messages in Play (Best Of)
Lessons from the Playroom
Original Air Date: September 19, 2019 “Broken toys may be a metaphor for how children see themselves.” – Lisa Dion In this episode, Lisa tackles the “little” questions that often carry big meaning in the playroom. What do you do with broken toys? How should you handle food, lying, or a child wanting to take a toy home? Each situation offers insight into a child’s inner world and an opportunity for connection, growth, and understanding. Tune in as Lisa shares practical strategies and thoughtful reflections to turn everyday playroom moments into meaningful learning experiences....
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Honoring Boundaries as an Act of Self-Love & Worthiness (Best Of)
Lessons from the Playroom
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...
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Multiculturalism in Play Therapy with Dr. Dee Ray (Best Of)
Lessons from the Playroom
Original Air Date: July 30, 2023 In this deeply insightful episode, Lisa Dion is joined by Dr. Dee Ray, an expert in the field of multicultural play therapy, to discuss an incredibly important and timely topic for every play therapist: Multiculturalism in Play Therapy. If you don’t already own Dee’s book, Multicultural Play Therapy, you’ll definitely want to grab a copy after listening to this conversation—it’s an essential resource for therapists working with children! In this episode, you’ll hear Dr. Ray’s wisdom on how to integrate multiculturalism into your play therapy...
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Perfectionism in the Playroom: What’s Really Going On Beneath the Surface? (Best Of)
Lessons from the Playroom
"Perfectionism is the strategy the child is using to manage their anxiety and fear." – Lisa Dion That child who needs everything just right? Who gets upset when the block tower falls or the drawing isn't “perfect”? There’s more going on than meets the eye. In this episode, Lisa unpacks the deeper truth behind perfectionism in the playroom—and why it’s not just about wanting to do things well. At its core, perfectionism is often a protective strategy, a way for a child to manage inner uncertainty, fear, and anxiety. You’ll learn how to recognize the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways...
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Understanding and Working with Deaf Children in the Playroom | Gabriel Lomas (Best Of)
Lessons from the Playroom
In this groundbreaking episode, Lisa is joined by Gabriel (Gabe) Lomas, an expert in the field of play therapy, to address a topic rarely discussed in the world of therapy: working with deaf children in the playroom. This episode offers a unique and insightful perspective that will deepen your understanding and approach to supporting children who are deaf. In this episode, Gabe shares his expertise on the challenges and nuances of working with deaf children in therapy, helping to shine a light on an often misunderstood and overlooked aspect of play therapy. In this episode, you'll hear: 🔍...
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In Memory of Carmen Jimenez-Pride – Internal Family Systems in the Playroom (Best of)
Lessons from the Playroom
Original Air Date: July 5, 2022 We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Carmen Jimenez-Pride—a fellow SPTer, therapist, healer, and a beautiful example of what it means to live fully, expansively, authentically, and without playing small. Carmen left her mark in countless ways—through her innovative tools, creative resources, powerful trainings, books, advocacy, and her deeply healing presence. She poured her heart into supporting the play therapy community, always pushing the edges of what was possible with boldness, brilliance, and compassion. Her clients, colleagues, supervisees,...
info_outlineHave you explored the power of mandalas in play therapy? In this episode, Lisa Dion sits down with Tracy Turner-Bumberry (LPC, RPT-S™) to uncover the transformative magic of mandalas—an incredible yet often unexplored tool in clinical practice.
Tracy, a Certified AutPlay Trainer, Animal-Assisted Play Therapist, and DBT Therapist, shares how mandalas can create a safe, expressive, and healing space for children and families.
🔹 Discover what mandalas are and their deep multicultural roots
🔹 Learn how "circle art" and "circle play" can demystify mandalas for therapy
🔹 Explore practical applications, from templates to Tracy’s Wellness Mandala practice
🔹 Find out how to adapt mandalas for neurodivergent clients and create a safe space
🔹 Understand the dos and don’ts of using mandalas in therapy—why a child-led, non-interpretative approach matters
🔹 Learn direct and non-directive ways to integrate mandalas into therapy with individuals and families
🔹 Discover how music, color, and the idea of impermanence enrich the mandala experience
Tracy also dives into the "safe circle", a concept that helps children feel seen, heard, and emotionally supported.
🌟 Tune in to learn how mandalas can bring introspection, self-regulation, and healing into your play therapy sessions!
Original Air Date: December 19, 2023
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