Back to Our Roots: A Deep Dive into Experiential Play Therapy with Nilüfer Devecigil (Best of)
Release Date: 04/14/2026
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...
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Navigating Life’s Transitions: An Empty Nester’s Journey with Lisa (Best of)
Lessons from the Playroom
Original air date: Nov 11, 2024 In this heartfelt episode, Lisa steps into the spotlight as she's interviewed by long-time colleague and Certified SPT Supervisor, Polly Douglass. Together, they explore Lisa’s deeply personal experience of transitioning into the “empty nester” phase of life when her daughter left for college. This episode isn’t just for parents—whether you're facing a significant life change, are a therapist supporting others through transitions, or are simply curious about navigating life’s changes, this conversation offers deep insights on how to move...
info_outlineIn this special episode, Lisa reconnects with a long-time colleague, Nilüfer Devecigil, who joins her from Turkey. Nilüfer completed her master’s degree in psychology in the US and worked closely with Byron and Carol Norton, the pioneers of Experiential Play Therapy. She’s also the lead teacher for Experiential Play Therapy in Turkey. With extensive experience in attachment parenting and trauma healing, Nilüfer currently practices as a play therapist for young children and an attachment parenting therapist for pregnant women and new mothers.
Listeners, you might not know that Experiential Play Therapy is one of the foundational models that influenced Synergetic Play Therapy. This conversation feels like we’re going back to our roots a bit.
Episode Highlights:
- Lisa and Nilüfer’s Journey: Discover how Lisa and Nilüfer met over 20 years ago, learning Experiential Play Therapy together.
- Foundations of Experiential Play Therapy: Understand the philosophy and humanistic approach championed by Byron and Carol Norton.
- Parent Involvement: Learn how parents are integrally involved in the therapeutic process, making it very relational.
- Unique Aspects of Experiential Play Therapy: Explore what sets this modality apart, including the five stages of the therapeutic process and the use of themes and metaphors in play.
- Active Participation in Play: Lisa shares her appreciation for the unique aspect of experiencing play alongside the child, fully engaging in the roles assigned by the child.
- Healing Through Play: Hear how parents heal alongside their children through this model of play therapy.
- Framework and Personal Focus: Discover how Nilüfer integrates her focus on attachment and relational work within the framework of Experiential Play Therapy.
- Double Awareness in Play Therapy: Learn about the concept of dual or “double awareness” and its significance for both child clients and therapists.
- Therapist’s Own Work: Hear why it’s so important for us as therapists to do our own therapeutic work.
Experience Experiential Play Therapy through numerous examples and stories of how it works with child clients and their parents. Join us for an enlightening conversation that takes us back to the roots of Synergetic Play Therapy and gives a beautiful overview of this impactful therapeutic approach.
If you would like to connect with Nilüfer Devecigil, follow her on her Instagram page here.
*Original Air Date: August 6, 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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