S3E6 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: The Four Phases of Child-Centered Play Therapy

Episode summary

In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I walk through the four phases of the child-centered play therapy process. Understanding these phases helps parents know what to expect as their child progresses through therapy — from the initial connection to the completion of treatment.

I explain each stage — initiation, resistance, work, and termination — and describe what happens in each. Parents often wonder how play therapy unfolds and why behaviors may shift along the way. This episode will help you recognize that change takes time, that resistance is a natural part of healing, and that every phase has a purpose in helping your child grow into a happier, healthier version of themselves.