Description

In this episode, we pivot to a topic that touches almost every practitioner: Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) in schools. Whether you are a full-time school counselor or a private practitioner connecting for an IEP meeting, the school environment brings a unique set of dynamics and challenges.

Join Dr. Christie Opiola and Dr. Maggie Parker as they share their diverse experiences working within public, private, charter, and Montessori settings. We dive into the practical (and sometimes frustrating) realities of setting up a therapeutic space within a school, including:

• The "Banned" Toy List: How to navigate school policies that restrict aggressive toys like toy guns or knives.
• Creative Adaptation: How Christie convinced a principal to keep the bop bag and why she added a hair dryer to the playroom.
• The Clinical Impact: Why limiting materials can make it harder—and take longer—for children to play out real-world threats and social justice issues they experience.
• Portable Play: Tips for using portable play kits when a dedicated room isn't an option.

Listen now to learn how to advocate for the "magic" of play therapy within the constraints of the school system!