Playful Beginnings
by Maggie Parker and Kristie Opiola
Latest episode
Goal Setting in CCPT
Goal Setting in CCPT
About this podcast
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!
Episodes
The newest 20 of 106 episodes
- Goal Setting in CCPT · 30 min · Season 2 Episode 42Setting goals in CCPT can be daunting- you need to ensure that you are being concrete, aligned in the needs of the client, taking into consideration the child, the family, the…
- APT 2026 Recap · 31 min · Season 2 Episode 41Hello fellow play therapists! What a wonderful and rejuvenating time we had at this year's Association for Play Therapy Conference! In this episode, Drs. Kristie and Maggie break…
- Conceptualizing from a CCPT perspective, Part two · 19 min · Season 2 Episode 40Case notes thoughtful reflection on one's theoretical orientation and beliefs about the child, the therapist, and the role of therapy. Good case notes require goals, objectives…
- Case Conceptualization from a CCPT perspective · 21 min · Season 2 Episode 39Notes are an integral part of the play therapy process and theory should shine through in all aspects. We hear that it is difficult and while we wish we could give you a script…
- Understanding Our Listeners · 13 min · Season 2 Episode 38Hi everyone! In this episode, we're trying to address your questions about note taking. We want to ask your questions to the best of our abilities, and we are working on it. Here…
- Notes that Make Sense: The WHY behind our CCPT Skills · 20 min · Season 2 Episode 37We heard you- you are having a hard time knowing what to say in your notes. We've got you! There isn't a script you can use for CCPT notes- it is dependent upon the child, the…
- The Rest of the Clinical File: Custody, Informed Consent, and Addendums · 16 min · Season 2 Episode 36Notes include a lot more than what happens in sessions and the conceptualization of clients. These include custody agreements, divorce decrees, releases of information, auxiliary…
- To Note, or Not to Note? 📝 · 17 min · Season 2 Episode 35Clipboard in hand or fully in the moment? 🧸✨ In this episode of Playful Beginnings, we’re diving into one of the most debated topics in child therapy: Should play therapists take…
- From Playroom to Page: Effective & Efficient Documentation Strategies · 31 min · Season 2 Episode 34How do you capture non-verbal play, behavioral themes, and clinical progress clearly in a progress note? 🎨📋 In this week's episode of Playful Beginnings, we dive deep into the…
- The Nuts and Bolts of Note Taking: CCPT Edition · 26 min · Season 2 Episode 33A complete play therapy record is so much more than just weekly progress notes! 📂✨ In this episode of Playful Beginnings, we’re taking a deep dive into the essential aspects of…
- Understanding Evidence Based. What does it mean and why is it important? · 28 min · Season 2 Episode 32In this episode, Drs. Kristie and Maggie break down what it means to be evidenced based and why you can't say that you are CCPT and CBT. We go through what that actually means…
- Structured Doll Play: Supporting Kids Through Transitions · 32 min · Season 2 Episode 31Ever wonder why kids melt down before a field trip, panic over substitute teachers, or struggle with simple routine changes? 🧸👇 Transitions are hard—for kids, parents, teachers…
- Back to School Part 2: Making Space for Big Feelings · 22 min · Season 2 Episode 30In this week's Playful Beginnings, Drs. Kristie and Maggie get practical — the routines worth shifting now, the logistics that quietly ease anxiety, and the one thing almost…
- Back to School Transition: Adapting to a new normal · 20 min · Season 2 Episode 29As the summer season draws to a close, some children may experience difficulties with the back to school transition, with anxiety and fears potentially manifesting prior to the…
- Demystifying CCPT and Parent Consultations with Dr. Ahou Line. · 38 min · Season 2 Episode 28In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Ahou Line to dive into one of the most critical—and often daunting—aspects of being a play therapist: working with parents and caregivers…
- Child Centered Play Therapy and Internalizing Behaviors: With Dr. Jenna Taylor · 27 minListen in to hear more from Dr. Jenna Taylor on children who experience internalizing behaviors. Dr. Taylor engaged in a large meta-analysis to better understand the effect of…
- Getting to know Dr. Jenna Taylor and her research into CCPT and Internalizing Behaviors · 27 min · Season 2 Episode 27Join us as we speak with Dr. Jenna Taylor, author of a newly published meta analysis of CCPT and Internalizing Behaviors. Drs. Kristie and Maggie speak with Dr. Jenna about her…
- Childhood Depression: Symptoms to look out for and how CCPT can support · 32 minWhen we think of depression in adults, we picture sadness, withdrawal, and low energy. But in children, depression rarely looks like a miniature version of adult despair…
- Unlocking Potential—How Child-Centered Play Therapy Transforms School Experiences with Dr. Kristi Perryman · 43 minEpisode 2: Join us for an insightful conversation with Dr. Kristi Perryman as we delve into the transformative power of Child-Centered Play Therapy in schools. Discover how this…
- 🧸 Honoring a Legend: Remembering Dr. Garry Landreth 🕊️ · 35 min"Toys are children's words and play is their language." It is with heavy hearts, but profound gratitude, that we dedicate this episode to the father of Child-Centered Play…
