Reconnecting to Our True Nature: A Transformative Conversation with Marie José Dhaese (Best of)
Release Date: 04/07/2026
Reconnecting to Our True Nature: A Transformative Conversation with Marie José Dhaese (Best of)
Lessons from the Playroom
Lisa welcomes back the remarkable Marie José Dhaese, a trailblazer in the field of play therapy and the original creator of expressive play therapies. Building on their previous conversation about Holistic Expressive Play Therapy, Lisa and Marie José dive even deeper into the profound journey of healing, attachment, and reconnecting to one's true nature. With over 50 years of experience as a registered clinical counselor, art therapist, and play therapy supervisor, Marie José shares her deep wisdom and heartfelt reflections on what it takes to create a therapeutic environment where...
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Beyond Labels: Cultivating Cultural Humility as Therapists with Liliana Baylon (Best of)
Lessons from the Playroom
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Crisis Play Therapy: Insights from Isabella Cassina & Claudio Mochi (Best of)
Lessons from the Playroom
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Supporting Child Survivors of Sex Trafficking with Alejandro Castro Croy (Best of)
Lessons from the Playroom
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Demystifying Minecraft in the Therapeutic Space with Brian Keating (Best of)
Lessons from the Playroom
In this episode, Lisa is joined by special guest Brian Keating, a Certified Synergetic Play Therapist and Certified Group Psychotherapist. Brian specializes in tele-play therapy and is a contributing author to Advances in Online Therapy: Emergence of a New Paradigm. He's presented on topics including grief, childhood bereavement, and the therapeutic use of the video game Minecraft, which is the focus of this episode. Join Lisa and Brian as they demystify the use of video games in therapy, with a particular focus on Minecraft, the most popular and successful video game ever to hit the...
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The Mind-Body Blueprint: How Body Symptoms Are Connected to Our Mental Health (Best Of)
Lessons from the Playroom
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Emotional Flooding: When the Therapist Is Outside the Window of Tolerance (Best Of)
Lessons from the Playroom
Emotional flooding is inevitable; it’s part of relationship. It’s not about shame, but connection—providing a platform upon which real repair can flourish. – Lisa Dion In this episode, Lisa explores emotional flooding from the therapist’s perspective and why finding ourselves outside our window of tolerance is not a failure—but a natural part of relational work. Through a nervous-system-informed lens, Lisa reframes emotional flooding as meaningful information rather than something to avoid or fix. When approached with curiosity, attunement, and repair, these moments of rawness can...
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Conflict In and Out of the Playroom (Best Of)
Lessons from the Playroom
“The more we try to avoid conflict, the more it shows up in our life.” – Lisa Dion Why does conflict feel so uncomfortable—and why do we work so hard to avoid it? In this episode of Lessons from the Playroom, Lisa Dion explores why conflict is not a sign that something has gone wrong, but a necessary part of growth and relational depth. Through a nervous-system-informed lens, she unpacks what happens internally when conflict arises and how our responses are shaped by regulation, protection, and connection. This conversation invites therapists to develop a different relationship with...
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Defying Expectations to Embrace Human Potential (Best Of)
Lessons from the Playroom
Re-airing in honor of the International Week of Play Therapy. In this special episode Lisa is joined by Amit Chintan Ramlall and his father, Dr. Kumar Ramlall, for a powerful conversation about autism, identity, and the transformative impact of assuming competence. Amit shares his lived experience of navigating Autism Spectrum Disorder and how embracing his strengths—rather than being defined by limitations—opened pathways to purpose, contribution, and connection. Together, they explore common misconceptions about autism, the importance of meeting clients where they are, and how...
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Giving a Voice to Children with PANS/PANDAS with Dr. Montserrat Casado (Best Of)
Lessons from the Playroom
PANS and PANDAS are among the most misunderstood—and frequently requested—topics in the therapy world. In this episode, Lisa is joined by Dr. Montserrat Casado for a thoughtful, compassionate conversation on how these conditions impact children, families, and the therapeutic process. Together, they explore what PANS/PANDAS are, how immune responses and brain inflammation affect behavior and nervous system regulation, and why symptoms such as OCD, rage, regression, and restrictive eating require a broader, integrative lens. Dr. Casado also shares her personal journey and decade-long...
info_outlineLisa welcomes back the remarkable Marie José Dhaese, a trailblazer in the field of play therapy and the original creator of expressive play therapies. Building on their previous conversation about Holistic Expressive Play Therapy, Lisa and Marie José dive even deeper into the profound journey of healing, attachment, and reconnecting to one's true nature. With over 50 years of experience as a registered clinical counselor, art therapist, and play therapy supervisor, Marie José shares her deep wisdom and heartfelt reflections on what it takes to create a therapeutic environment where children can reconnect to themselves and thrive.
In this episode, you will explore:
- The metaphor of the "white dot": Discover how this symbol represents our core essence or true nature, and why nurturing this inner light is central to healing.
- Attachment and true nature: Understand how early attachment experiences shape a child’s development, and how caregivers and therapists can reflect the child’s true self back to them.
- The role of trauma in disconnection: Learn how attachment disruptions and trauma sever a child’s connection to their true self, and how therapy can help repair these ruptures.
- The therapist’s own journey: Hear how Marie José emphasizes the importance of therapists being on an ongoing journey of self-discovery and healing, and how this inner work allows them to hold space for others.
- Creating an environment for transformation: Explore the significance of designing therapeutic spaces that invite safety, creativity, and how nature and expressive therapies play a vital role in transformation.
- The importance of closure in therapy: Discover why creating a clear beginning, middle, and end in therapy sessions is essential for healing, and how a lack of closure can impact therapeutic outcomes.
- Navigating the complexities of healing: Gain insight into the delicate balance therapists must maintain between structure and spontaneity, allowing children to explore, express, and reconnect with their true selves at their own pace.
- Tending to your own "dot": Lisa and Marie José discuss the ethical imperative for therapists to engage in self-care, self-reflection, and self-compassion to remain present and attuned to their clients’ needs.
Join Lisa and Marie José for a thought-provoking and heartfelt conversation that will inspire therapists to reflect on their own journey, deepen their connection to their clients, and create spaces where true healing can unfold. This episode is filled with wisdom for those seeking to support children on their path to self-discovery and resilience.
As mentioned in the podcast, explore Marie José’s play sanctuary for children here: 💛 https://youtu.be/Lb20F3jF2nA?si=HSKWeTLQcrwlDtQn
*Original Air Date: October 15, 2024
Podcast Resources:
- Synergetic Play Therapy Institute
- Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website
- FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey
- Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity
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