In Memory of Carmen Jimenez-Pride – Internal Family Systems in the Playroom (Best of)
Release Date: 09/16/2025
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_outlineOriginal 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, trainees, and all who knew her were profoundly touched by her gifts. We hold them—and her loved ones—in our thoughts during this time.
In her honor, we are resharing this powerful and inspiring conversation between Lisa and Carmen on integrating Internal Family Systems (IFS) into the playroom. Like Carmen’s work, this episode continues to expand hearts and inspire play therapists around the world. 🌿💜
In this conversation, you’ll hear Carmen and Lisa explore:
- What IFS looks like in the playroom and with child clients
- How to help clients build a relationship with all their parts (exiles, protectors, firefighters)
- How to support children in fully embracing who they are and the experiences that shaped them
- Ways to share IFS work with parents/caregivers and help them understand their own parts
- How to recognize our own therapist parts and how they might show up in sessions
- One of the biggest lies play therapists often tell themselves—and why it impacts our wellbeing
And as a bonus, you’ll get to hear a funny story about how Carmen didn’t want to be a therapist at first … and the journey that eventually brought her here (thank goodness it did!).
🌿 Carmen, thank you for everything you gave. Your legacy lives on in the many marks you’ve made on this world. 💜