Supporting Child Survivors of Sex Trafficking with Alejandro Castro Croy (Best of)
Release Date: 03/17/2026
Little Lessons Series: Addressing Hesitation, Aggressive Play, and Emotional Boundaries (Best of)
Lessons from the Playroom
Originally aired May 6, 2025 Lisa is back with another episode of the Little Lessons Series, answering your insightful questions about navigating the complexities of the playroom. Today’s episode focuses on how to handle those challenging moments in therapy where uncertainty, emotional flooding, and parents’ concerns come into play. In this episode, you’ll hear: Chrissy’s question: “What do you do when a child can’t decide on what to play with or doesn’t even play after coming for weeks?” Lisa breaks down how to navigate moments of hesitation, offering insights on how to remain...
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When the Aggressor is You: Therapist Activation in the Playroom with Mili Shoemaker (Best of)
Lessons from the Playroom
Originally aired April 8, 2025 "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...
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Navigating ADHD Through Play Therapy – A Dual Perspective with Tony Vallance (Best of)
Lessons from the Playroom
Originally aired March 25, 2025 “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...
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The Power of Poetry in Play Therapy: A Conversation with Hannah Young (Best of)
Lessons from the Playroom
Originally aired March 11, 2025 "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...
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Cultural Awareness in Play Therapy | A Conversation with Dr. Carmen Cubillo (Best of)
Lessons from the Playroom
Originally aired February 25, 2025 "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...
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Attachment to Self: The Cornerstone of Healing with Mili Shoemaker (Best of)
Lessons from the Playroom
Original air date: Feb 11, 2025 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 ways therapists can foster attachment to self within...
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Unveiling Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) Through a Play Therapy Lens (Best of)
Lessons from the Playroom
Original air date: Jan 28, 2025 In this episode, Lisa reconnects with Natascha Lawrence, a Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor, EMDR Practitioner, and founder of the FASD Institute, for an essential conversation about supporting children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) through play therapy. This is Part 2 of their dialogue, revisiting a topic that rarely gets the attention it deserves in the field of play therapy. Together, Lisa and Natascha dive into: What play therapists need to know about FASD: A holistic understanding of FASD as a whole-body diagnosis and its implications for...
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The Way of Play: A New Approach to Connection in Play Therapy with Georgie Wissen Vincent (Best of)
Lessons from the Playroom
Original air date: Dec 31, 2024 In this episode, Lisa is joined by Georgie Wissen Vincent. She is a play therapist, co-founder of the Play Strong Institute, and co-author of The Way of Play: Using Little Moments of Big Connection to Raise Calm and Confident Kids with Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, renowned psychotherapist, speaker, and author specializing in parenting and child development (...you likely know her from her co-parenting books with Dr. Dan Siegel). Together, they dive into the magic of play—not only as a therapeutic tool but as a way to strengthen relationships and foster...
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Little Lessons Series: Messes, Transitions, and Bathroom Breaks - Listener Q&A with Lisa (Best of)
Lessons from the Playroom
Original air date: Dec 03, 2024 We’re diving into another special Q&A episode of Lessons from the Playroom! Lisa is answering three thought-provoking questions from our listeners, offering insights into some of the tricky moments that arise in the playroom. Tune in as Lisa explores messes, transitions, and those unexpected trips to the bathroom, unpacking what they might signify for the therapeutic process and how to respond with intention. This week’s questions include: Jasmine asks: "What do you do when a child makes huge messes [in the playroom]?" Lisa explores the art of...
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Climbing the Mountain: A Holistic Approach to Family Play Therapy with Stacy Jagger (Best of)
Lessons from the Playroom
Original air date: Dec 17, 2024 In this episode, Lisa welcomes back the inspiring Dr. Stacy Jagger, affectionately known as “Dr. Sassy,” to dive into a topic that has shockingly never been fully explored in the series: working with the entire family system in play therapy. With her groundbreaking Mountain Method and a reputation for blending bold truth-telling with heartfelt humor, Dr. Stacy shares her unique approach to supporting families as a unit, rather than focusing solely on the child as the client. Together, Lisa and Dr. Stacy discuss: Reframing the family as the client: Why...
info_outlineIn this especially important episode, we shine a spotlight on the harrowing issue of child sex trafficking and explore how we can support the young survivors of this modern-day slave trade. Join Lisa for a deeply insightful conversation with Alejandro (Alex) Castro Croy, a bilingual, bicultural Trauma and Addiction Counselor, and the owner/Lead Clinician of Transcending Consulting Group in Denver, Colorado.
Alex brings his extensive experience from training law enforcement professionals and collaborating with the FBI on Crimes Against Children to the discussion. Together, they delve into the complexities of working with children who have endured compounded trauma and exploitation. Alex shares his journey into this challenging field and sheds light on the often-overlooked facets of child sex trafficking, including the surprising demographics it affects and the role of social media.
Together they discuss the indicators of sex trafficking and key red flags to watch for. Alex also provides invaluable insights into the physical and behavioral signs that therapists should be aware of to help identify survivors. Learn why some clients might go AWOL or refuse treatment and how clinicians can approach these situations with sensitivity and care.
Self-care for therapists is paramount, and Alex emphasizes the importance of mindfulness, debriefing, and the PERMS model—Physical, Emotional, Relational, Mental, and Spiritual domains of self-care—while sharing various intervention techniques and stressing the importance of honoring the human side of both therapist and client.
This episode is a must-listen for therapists and anyone in the human services field. We encourage you to breathe and regulate as you listen to this important conversation, and as we navigate the challenging but essential work of supporting child survivors of sex trafficking.
Talking Points:
- Understanding the true scope and demographics of child sex trafficking.
- The impact of social media and the daytime occurrences of trafficking.
- Recognizing indicators and key red flags.
- Identifying physical and behavioral signs of child sex trafficking survivors.
- The importance of self-care for clinicians and the PERMS model.
- Various therapeutic interventions: music, play, art, somatic, and narrative therapies.
- The importance of working with the client’s protective strategies.
- Developing awareness of our own reactions as therapists to clients' trauma stories.
Join us for this so-very important conversation to better understand and support the healing journey of child sex trafficking survivors.
*Original Air Date: June 4, 2024
Additional Resources:
- For more information about Online training for introduction to Sex Trafficking: https://connect.missingkids.org/learn/learning-plans/4/introduction-to-child-sex-trafficking
- Physical and Behavioral Indicators: https://www.missingkids.org/content/dam/missingkids/pdfs/CST-Identification-Resource.pdf
- Reporting Sex trafficking:
- Local Social services and Police department
- Call 1-800-THE-LOST (800-843-5678)
- www.Cybertipline.org