In this episode, I respond to a question from Whitney about her six-year-old son’s negative self-talk and self-harming behaviors—things like calling himself “stupid” or hitting himself after making a mistake. I explain why these behaviors are often rooted in low self-esteem, anxiety, and low frustration tolerance—and why it’s not about attention or defiance, but maladaptive coping.

I walk through how to set clear, compassionate limits on self-harm while offering healthy alternatives for emotional release. I also share how to support his self-concept through encouragement and provide access to over 100 esteem-building phrases to use at home. If your child has ever melted down in shame or seemed harsh with themselves, this episode offers both understanding and a path forward.

Episode links:
101+ Encouragement Phrases - Watch the video and download the list!
https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/101-encouragement-phrases/

Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/
My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/
My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

Common References:
Landreth, G.L. (2023). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship (4th ed.). Routledge.
Bratton, S. C., Landreth, G. L., Kellam, T., & Blackard, S. R. (2006). Child parent relationship therapy (CPRT) treatment manual: A 10-session filial therapy model for training parents. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.

In this episode, I answer an email from Sarah, a mom whose two boys are in school-based play therapy and who is just beginning to learn about the child-centered approach. Sarah shares her excitement, questions, and challenges as she starts to apply what she’s learned—especially the difficulty of knowing what to do in the moment with strong emotions.

I talk about the common struggle parents face when trying something new: your brain goes blank. I explain why that happens, how CCPT is like learning a new language, and what to do instead of getting discouraged. I offer practical tips for early success, including choosing one skill to focus on, mentally rehearsing outside of real-time moments, and trusting the process—even when it feels like nothing is working. This episode is encouragement and guidance for any parent just starting the journey of CCPT-inspired parenting.

Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/
My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/
My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

Common References:
Landreth, G.L. (2023). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship (4th ed.). Routledge.
Bratton, S. C., Landreth, G. L., Kellam, T., & Blackard, S. R. (2006). Child parent relationship therapy (CPRT) treatment manual: A 10-session filial therapy model for training parents. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.

In this episode, I talk about how to have honest, age-appropriate conversations with your child when a death occurs—especially when it’s sudden and unexpected. I walk through how to talk to children in a way that gives them truth without overwhelming them, and why sparing them from information often does more harm than good.

I also explain how grief looks different in children than in adults, how developmental stages impact the grieving process over time, and how to support your child through those recurring waves. I share practical suggestions for closure, guidance on when to seek therapy, and how to respond neutrally to tough questions so your child feels safe continuing the conversation.

Episode References:
How to be truthful with your kids, even when the truth is hard!
https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/how-to-be-truthful-with-your-kids-even-when-the-truth-is-hard/

Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com
Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/
My Newsletter Signup: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/newsletter/
My Podcast Partner, Gabb Wireless: https://www.playtherapyparenting.com/gabb/

Common References:
Landreth, G.L. (2023). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship (4th ed.). Routledge.
Bratton, S. C., Landreth, G. L., Kellam, T., & Blackard, S. R. (2006). Child parent relationship therapy (CPRT) treatment manual: A 10-session filial therapy model for training parents. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group.