190. When the Aggressor is You: Therapist Activation in the Playroom with Mili Shoemaker
Release Date: 04/08/2025
Special: How to Teach Kids & Caregivers About the Brain with Robyn Gobbel
Lessons from the Playroom
In this insightful episode, Lisa Dion is joined by the incredible Robyn Gobbel, MSW, to talk about a topic that has never been covered before on this podcast but is crucial for clinicians working with kids: teaching children about the brain. Robyn, a true brain enthusiast, has a new book out titled Raising Kids with Big Baffling Behaviors: Brain-Body-Sensory Strategies that Really Work! This powerful resource blends relational neuroscience with practical tools and applications, making it the ultimate guide for parents who want to understand and transform their children's challenging behaviors...
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190. When the Aggressor is You: Therapist Activation in the Playroom with Mili Shoemaker
Lessons from the Playroom
"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...
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Special: Demystifying Dissociation in Play Therapy: A Conversation with Annie Monaco
Lessons from the Playroom
Original Air Date: July 4, 2023 In this groundbreaking episode, Lisa is joined by the brilliant Annie Monaco to tackle a topic that’s rarely discussed but essential to our work as play therapists: dissociation. With her extensive experience in EMDR Therapy, attachment, and dissociation in children, Annie brings invaluable insights to help therapists deepen their understanding of this complex phenomenon. Here’s what you’ll learn: A practical, usable definition of dissociation and how it shows up in client sessions; How dissociation reflects a child’s inner struggles and manifests in...
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189. Navigating ADHD Through Play Therapy: Dual Perspectives for Therapists and Caregivers
Lessons from the Playroom
“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...
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Special: Embracing Messy Play: Navigating Messes in the Playroom with Synergetic Wisdom
Lessons from the Playroom
Original Air Date: July 19, 2022 In this playful and insightful episode, Lisa is joined by Certified Synergetic Play Therapists Andrea Davidson, Johanna Simmons, and Rachel Freeburg for a lively discussion on the beauty and power of messes in the playroom. From spilled paint to sensory chaos, they dive into the therapeutic opportunities that arise when we embrace the mess. Here’s what you’ll discover: How to explain and normalize messy play to parents and caregivers, helping them see its value; Turning messes into teachable moments for boundaries, containment, and personal growth;...
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188. The Power of Poetry in Play Therapy with Hannah Young
Lessons from the Playroom
"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." – Hannah Young In this episode, Lisa sits down with Hannah Young, an accredited play therapist, clinical supervisor, and child-parent relationship practitioner, for a deeply moving conversation about the role of poetry in play therapy. Hannah shares how poetry can serve as a bridge between a child’s inner world and therapeutic processing—offering a powerful way to witness, contain, and reflect their experiences. With...
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Special: Supporting Children with Adoption and Foster Histories with Ann Beckley-Forest
Lessons from the Playroom
Original Air Date: April 18, 2023 In this heartfelt episode, Lisa welcomes Ann Beckley-Forest for a deep dive into working with children and families navigating adoption, foster care, or placement experiences. With her extensive expertise in EMDR Therapy and play therapy, Ann shares insights that will expand your understanding of attachment trauma and offer practical approaches to support this unique population. Here’s what you’ll learn: What attachment trauma or attachment wounding is (hint: it’s about “the important good things that didn’t happen”); How adoptee-led movements are...
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187. Cultural Curiosity in the Playroom: Lessons from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities
Lessons from the Playroom
"We all walk around in our little cultural bubble, and sometimes, without realizing it, that bubble shapes how we show up in the playroom." – Dr. Carmen Cubillo In this thought-provoking episode, Lisa sits down with Dr. Carmen Cubillo, a clinical psychologist, Registered Play Therapist, and cultural advocate based in Australia, for an essential conversation about culture—our own, our clients’, and how both shape the therapeutic relationship. Together, Lisa and Carmen dive into: ✨ The therapist’s cultural lens: How our personal cultural background influences the way we show up in the...
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Special: Adlerian Play Therapy with Terry Kottman: Bringing YOU into the Playroom
Lessons from the Playroom
Original Air Date: October 11, 2022 In this exciting episode, Lisa is joined by the extraordinary Terry Kottman, founder of Adlerian Play Therapy, to explore the heart and soul of this impactful therapeutic approach. Known for her fun, engaging style and groundbreaking contributions to play therapy, Terry shares her wisdom, humor, and deep insights into how therapists can elevate their practice. Here’s what you’ll learn: How to bring more of yourself into your sessions to create authentic connections; Tips for custom-designing sessions to meet the unique needs of each client; Ways to...
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186. Attachment to Self: The Cornerstone of Healing with Mili Shoemaker
Lessons from the Playroom
“So much of our healing lies in our ability to come home to ourselves.” – Lisa Dion In this episode, Lisa is joined by Mili Shoemaker, a Synergetic Play Therapy supervisor trainer, long-time consultant, and dear friend. Together, they dive into one of the most foundational concepts in Synergetic Play Therapy: attachment to self. Join Lisa and Mili as they explore: How attachment to self differs from traditional attachment theories. Why moments of mindful awareness are key to healing and integration. The connection between attachment styles, perception, and self-regulation. Practical...
info_outline"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.
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💜 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