The Play Therapy Circle

This week on The Play Therapy Circle, Kylie Ellison tackles a common (and often frustrating) misunderstanding: “Isn’t it just play?”. Kylie opens a timely conversation for play therapists, parents, carers, and professionals about how children communicate through play, especially when trauma, attachment conflicts, fear, or loyalty binds make verbal disclosure unlikely.Kylie explains why trauma isn’t stored in neat narratives for children, how the brain’s language systems can shut down under threat, and why silence is not the same as safety, it can be survival. She then outlines key indicators often seen in trauma-driven play: repetitive and driven themes, rigid “stuck” storylines, high emotional intensity, developmentally atypical content (power, control, secrecy, punishment, rescuing), and a lack of resolution over time. Importantly, she emphasises ethical practice: play therapists don’t diagnose from a single play sequence, and concerns should be formed holistically, documented carefully, and supported through clinical supervision and appropriate reporting pathways.If you need language to translate play-based clinical observations into stakeholder conversations, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Kylie reflects on what she’s witnessing in clinical practice right now, a significant rise in anxiety presentations among young children, particularly in the 4–6-year-old age group.Building on previous conversations about the post-COVID landscape, Kylie explores what she describes as an “anxiety epidemic” in early childhood and unpacks how this is showing up in play therapy rooms across Australia. From increased emotional dysregulation to heightened separation anxiety and nervous system overwhelm, this episode examines the broader community context impacting children and families.Kylie also shares insights into how child-centred play therapy (CCPT) uniquely supports anxious children, not by managing symptoms alone, but by strengthening emotional safety, regulation, and a child’s internal sense of competence and self-trust. She reflects on the responsibility and privilege of holding therapeutic space during seasons of collective stress, and the importance of maintaining empathy, unconditional positive regard, and strong clinical boundaries as demand increases.With growing referrals and stretched services, this episode is both a professional check-in and an encouragement to fellow practitioners: how do we sustain ourselves while continuing to show up for children in meaningful ways?If you’re a play therapist, early childhood professional, or someone supporting young children navigating anxiety, this episode offers thoughtful reflection, validation, and practical perspective from the field.

In this episode of The Play Therapy Circle, Kylie reflects on a milestone week - celebrating 10 years of child-centred play therapy practice - and shares exciting news about the first Play Therapy Circle Child-Centred Play Therapy Conference coming to Brisbane.Kylie then dives into a question many parents (and beginning play therapists) wrestle with: Why doesn’t my child talk in therapy? Drawing on clinical experience, attachment theory, and the stages of child-centred play therapy, she unpacks why play is children’s natural language, and why talk-based approaches can miss the mark developmentally.This episode offers reassurance, practical language, and confidence-building insights for play therapists supporting concerned parents, as well as a compassionate reframing for caregivers learning to trust the process. At its core, this conversation is about relationships, regulation, and remembering a powerful truth: children don’t need to talk about their problems to heal, sometimes, play says it all.

This episode is a reflective, personal milestone celebration: Kylie marks 10 years of private practice in child-centered play therapy (with a shout-out to her team, Eva and Shaz) and shares her professional journey from studying psychology, working in child protection and NGOs, to contracting work, before discovering play therapy training in 2015 and “falling in love” with the approach.She speaks honestly about early doubts and learning moments (including feeling overwhelmed in training), and how the work has evolved over the years—expanding her practice, later downsizing to realign with health, family, and what feels most meaningful, and leaning into supervision, training, conferences, and the podcast as ways to “share CCPT beyond the playroom.”The key message is encouragement: growth isn’t linear, you don’t need it all figured out, and if you’re feeling unsure or stuck, there’s hope, keep listening to what aligns, trust the process, and celebrate your progress. She closes by inviting listeners to join a live celebration on February 2, 2026 (1pm Queensland time) with cake, balloons, and announcements.

What is Child-Centered Play Therapy and how can it help your child? In this episode, Kylie Ellison breaks down CCPT in a clear, parent-friendly way, addressing common questions like “Is it just play?”, “Will my child learn skills?”, and “How will I know it’s working?” Kylie explains how children communicate through play, why relationship comes first, and how a safe, consistent play space helps children build emotional regulation, confidence, and self-trust over time. A helpful listen for parents considering play therapy and therapists wanting language to explain CCPT.

In this episode, Kylie Ellison reflects on the real challenges of staying true to Child-Centred Play Therapy when doubt, silence, and pressure creep in. Drawing on her own practice and recent teaching, she explores why CCPT is more than a technique, it’s a way of being. Kylie normalises imposter syndrome, unpacks the urge to revert to talk-based approaches, and reminds us that the therapeutic relationship is the intervention. She also speaks to the courage it takes to sit with uncertainty, trust the child’s process, and remain grounded in the core principles of CCPT, even when it feels uncomfortable. A grounding, compassionate episode for play therapists at every stage of their journey.

Welcome back to 2026! This episode offers a calm, grounded transition back into the playroom for 2026. We explore the “fresh start” myth, the pressure to return energised, confident, and immediately ‘on’, and why many of us actually come back needing time to recalibrate. This is a reminder that doubt after a break is often state-based, not a reflection of your skills. We’ll focus on what’s enough in the first week back: a regulated nervous system, a consistent presence, and a willingness to follow the child. We also discuss what you might see from children after a break (unchanged, moving forward, or regressing) and how CCPT’s core conditions, empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard support reconnection. Expect practical anchors (tracking, reflecting feelings, and using silence intentionally), a gentle invitation to choose your word for 2026, and a reminder that the relationship remembers itself. Follow along on socials and send through topic requests for upcoming episodes.

In this final episode of 2025, Kylie Ellison reflects on the Play Therapy Circle podcast journey and offers sincere gratitude to the growing community of listeners. She acknowledges the emotional, often invisible work of child-centered play therapists and affirms the importance of showing up with empathy, authenticity, and care in the playroom. Kylie highlights how listening to the podcast is an act of professional self-care and validation, particularly for those working in isolation. Looking ahead to 2026, she shares excitement about continuing weekly episodes, introducing guest voices, and launching new initiatives and events to strengthen connection within the global CCPT community.

In Part Two of 10 Things Every Play Therapist Needs to Know at Christmas, Kylie speaks directly to child-centred play therapists navigating the emotional, physical, and relational load of the end-of-year period. Released during Christmas week, this episode is a compassionate reminder that therapists matter too.Kylie explores the realities of end-of-year fatigue, compassion fatigue, and reduced capacity, normalising how layered stress builds across the year. She reframes rest as an ethical and clinical responsibility, not a reward, highlighting how therapist regulation directly impacts therapeutic presence and client safety.Listeners are encouraged to let go of the pressure to “wrap everything up” before the year ends, to allow reflection to happen in their own time (including in January), and to embrace self-care that genuinely restores the nervous system — even if it looks simple, quiet, or “boring.”The episode closes with a powerful message about releasing guilt, challenging productivity culture in helping professions, and viewing rest as an act of sustainability and care for both current and future clients.This is a gentle, affirming episode offering permission to slow down, soften, and prioritise longevity in the work.

In this first part of a special two-part episode, Kylie Ellison reflects on the end-of-year intensity many play therapists and families experience and introduces 10 Things All Play Therapists Need to Know for Christmas. She explores how Christmas can amplify stress, grief, and dysregulation for children and families, and what this looks like in the playroom through play rather than words. The episode focuses on supporting clients and families during the festive season, emphasising containment, boundaries, and presence over “fixing.” Part two will shift the focus to caring for ourselves as therapists during this demanding time of year.

Kylie dedicates this episode to CCPT practitioners who feel lost, doubtful, or exhausted, especially at the end of the year. She normalises feelings of “Is this working?” and explains how they often come from caring deeply, holding a lot of grief for struggling families, and working within an over-stressed, time-poor culture. Instead of piling on strategies, she encourages going back to basics: presence over performance, tiny wins, supervision, and simple connection moments for parents and kids. Her core message: trust yourself, trust the child, and trust the process, your work genuinely matters, even when it doesn’t feel dramatic or visible.

PART TWO from Hawaii! This episode reassures CCPT practitioners who worry they’re “not doing enough,” especially when children appear withdrawn, silent, or resistant in the playroom. It explains that meaningful therapeutic change occurs through presence, safety, and the non-directive relationship, not through directing play or speeding up progress, and that children often begin to shift just when therapists start doubting themselves. Join Kylie as she normalises imposter syndrome, urges therapists to trust the child’s pace and core CCPT principles, and reminds them that their presence is the intervention.Also..... T Shirts being made!

Recorded in Hawaii! While on a much-needed break, Kylie explores a topic many CCPT practitioners struggle with—imposter syndrome. She discusses how self-doubt can arise at any stage of a therapist’s journey, from early skill development to managing stakeholder expectations, and highlights how community stress can intensify these feelings. The episode encourages therapists to trust the CCPT process, lean into core principles of empathy and connection, and reframe challenges as opportunities for growth and deeper self-reflection.

In this episode we tackle therapist burn out and ensuring you are taking care of yourself - not just others! Kylie reflects honestly on her own exhaustion and lack of breaks this year to open a conversation about self-care (or “how you’re really doing”) as a play therapist. She highlights the emotional load of holding trauma, staying attuned, and being a regulated, safe presence, and frames self-care not as a luxury but as a professional responsibility that protects against burnout and compassion fatigue. Kylie offers three key “pillars”: professional boundaries (manageable caseloads, breaks, admin limits, quality supervision), emotional/nervous-system care (grounding rituals, breathing, note-taking, supervision), and real-life practices (hydration, food, rest, fun activities, transition rituals, peer connection). She encourages listeners to choose just one small, realistic change to implement, reminding them they matter just as much as the children and families they support.

In this episode, Kylie discusses the “pandemic ripple effect” on 4–6-year-olds, exploring why so many children are now presenting with heightened anxiety and separation anxiety as they start school. We unpack emerging research and Australian census data showing declines in social competence and emotional maturity and connect this with the early-life disruptions children experienced during COVID-19 such as fewer peer interactions, disrupted routines, and increased family stress. Kylie walks through how these factors may have shaped children’s neurobiology and development, and what that looks like in the playroom and classroom today. She then explores how Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) can support this cohort, and shares practical, evidence-informed ideas for working with parents, schools, and families. This episode is designed to validate what many practitioners, educators, and caregivers are seeing right now, and to spark an ongoing conversation about how we can best support these kids.References for this Podcast: -ReferencesAustralian Government Department of Education. Results of the 2024 Australian Early Development Census (AEDC) were released today. 13 June 2025. Available at: https://www.education.gov.au/early-childhood/announcements/results-2024-australian-early-developmen… https://www.education.gov.au/early-childhood/announcements/results-2024-australian-early-developmen…Australian Early Development Census. 2024 AEDC National Report. 2025. Available at: https://www.aedc.gov.au/resources/detail/2024-aedc-national-report aedc.gov.au+1Australian Early Development Census. AEDC Key Findings 2024 (Fact Sheet). 2025. Available at: https://www.aedc.gov.au/resources/detail/aedc-key-findings-2024 aedc.gov.auAustralian Bureau of Statistics. Childhood development — “on track” in all five AEDC domains: 2009-2024. 2025. Available at: https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/measuring-what-matters/measuring-what-matters-themes-and-indicato… https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/measuring-what-matters/measuring-what-matters-themes-and-indicato…Racine, N., et al. “Changes in Depression and Anxiety Among Children and Adolescents From Before to During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.” JAMA Pediatrics. Vol. 177, No. 6, 2023: 567-581. DOI: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2023.0846. JAMA NetworkLudwig-Walz, H., et al. “Anxiety symptoms and disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic in children and adolescents: systematic review & meta-analysis.” European Journal of Psychiatry. 37(4), 2023. DOI:10.1016/j.ejpsy.2023.06.003. King's College London Research Portal+1Orban, E., et al. “Mental health and quality of life in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review of longitudinal studies.” Frontiers in Public Health. 2024;11:1275917. DOI:10.3389/fpubh.2023.1275917. FrontiersAlizadeh, S., Shahrousvand, S., Sepandi, M., & Alimohamadi, Y. “Prevalence of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” Journal of Public Health. Published Dec 2023;33:2045-2060. SpringerLinkCentre for Community Child Health (CCCH). “Australian Early Development Census: Background, methods & history.” 2025. Available at: https://www.ccch.org.au/our-work/project/australian-early-development-census/ ccch.org.au

In this episode, Kylie explores the delicate balance of communicating updates to parents and carers while maintaining the confidentiality and trust central to Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT). She discusses why this process can feel challenging, even for experienced practitioners, and offers frameworks and communication strategies that protect the child’s privacy while keeping parents informed. Kylie highlights the importance of grounding feedback in themes and stages of play, using accessible language and empathy to connect with families. Ultimately, she reminds us that ethical, reflective, and relationship-based communication is at the heart of meaningful parent consultations. 🌿

In this episode, Kylie outlines how to structure ongoing parent/carer consultations in three parts: reviewing progress, sharing playroom insights, and planning next steps. Every 4–6 weeks, she meets with parents to reflect on their child’s growth, revisit goals, and adjust support where needed. Kylie emphasizes communicating themes and stages of play in parent-friendly language while protecting the child’s confidentiality, using examples like power and control or learned helplessness. She also shares practical, realistic strategies for parents to strengthen connection and co-regulation at home — always returning to the core principles of empathy, collaboration, and attachment in Child-Centred Play Therapy. 🌿

The episode dives into the essentials of conducting initial parent consultations in Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) — from building authentic rapport and exploring formative history, to gathering insights on school, health, and family systems. Kylie offers practical guidance for beginning therapists, emphasizing that connection and caregiver involvement are key to positive outcomes. Part Two will continue next week with ongoing parent consultations and deeper strategies for supporting families in the therapeutic journey. 💛

In this episode, Kylie explores how trust, empathy, and authentic connection with parents and caregivers are essential for children’s therapeutic progress, especially amid today’s complex family challenges. She also reminds play therapists to offer themselves the same compassion they give to clients, honouring boundaries, collaboration, and self-reflection in their work. 🌿

In this episode, Kylie Ellison takes us through one of the foundational frameworks of Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT), the stages of the therapeutic process, exploratory, aggressive, regressive, and mastery. She unpacks what each stage looks like in the playroom, how to recognise progress, and why growth in CCPT is rarely linear. Kylie shares insights for therapists on staying grounded, trusting the process, and communicating progress to parents while protecting confidentiality.A thoughtful, practical guide to understanding how children move through their therapeutic journey — and how we can meet them with empathy at every stage. 💛