Playful Beginnings

<p>Welcome to playful beginnings. Within this podcast, Dr. Kristie Opiola and Dr. Maggie Parker explore the magic of play therapy, the why behind what we do, and how play therapy helps children heal and grow. This podcast is helpful for current play therapists, students and professionals interested in working with children or becoming play therapists, and anyone who is interested in creating transformative relationships with children. Parents and teachers can gain insights into what play therapy is, how it works, and why- helpful if they know children who could benefit from play therapy, and for those who are not sure if it would be helpful for the children in their lives. We are excited to share with you what we do and why we do it! Welcome to the magical world of play therapy!</p>

New Chapters Alert

You asked, we listened! 🎧✨ You wanted skills—so we’re bringing them! But not just the what or the how.Drs. Kristie and Maggie are diving deep into the essential play therapy skills: 🔹 What they are 🔹 Why they matter 🔹 What they look like in practice 🔹 How to develop them authentically in the playroomThese episodes deliver university-level play therapy training—no classroom required. Whether you're new to the field or need a solid refresher, we’re here to help bridge the gap.🎙️ Start listening today and grow your skills with us—one episode at a time.

08-04
27:09

Happy 1st Birthday!

WE did it! One year of episodes! Join Kristie and Maggie while they reflect on the past year and their plans for the future. We are so glad to share our love of play therapy with you and join the community of Child Centered Play Therapy! Here's to another year!

11-17
25:20

Happy 1st Birthday!

Join Kristie and Maggie as they celebrate Playful Beginning's first birthday. Kristie and Maggie share insights from the past year, their hopes for the future, and summarize the podcast over the past year!

11-18
25:20

Child Centered Play Therapy and Autism: Room Considerations. Featuring Dr. Regine Chung

Stop choosing between "compliance" and "connection." 🧩 Can Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) actually work for non-verbal children with Autism? Dr. Regine Chung says YES—and she has the data to prove it.If you’ve ever felt like your playroom wasn't "set up right" for neurodivergent clients, or feared that making adaptations would "ruin" the Child-Centered model, this episode is your roadmap.In this deep dive, CCPT expert Dr. Regine Chung joins us to discuss her longitudinal study on non-verbal autistic children. We move past the theory and get into the practical "how-to" of inclusive play therapy.Inside this episode, we cover:🛠 Room Setup: The specific environmental shifts that lower anxiety for ASD children.📈 The Evidence: Why CCPT is a powerful, evidence-based alternative to strictly behavioral models.🤝 The "Adaptation Myth": How to stay 100% Child-Centered while meeting sensory and developmental needs.🗣 Non-Verbal Communication: How to attune to a child who doesn't use spoken language.

04-06
33:58

It’s time to change the conversation around ASD and Play Therapy. 🗣️✨

Often, therapists are pressured to focus solely on behavioral outcomes. But Dr. Regine Chung’s research shows us that when we provide a truly Child-Centered environment, non-verbal children don’t just 'behave'—they thrive.Dr. Chung joins us to share her longitudinal findings, providing the clinical community with the data needed to advocate for relational, neurodiversity-affirming care.Key Takeaways:How CCPT facilitates autonomy in non-verbal children.Making sense of the research: What the numbers actually tell us.How to stand firm in your CCPT roots while serving the ASD community.Follow @playtherapyspace for more research-backed insights and advocacy tools!🚀 Share this with a colleague who is passionate about neurodiversity-affirming practice!"

04-13
14:29

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