Play Therapy Parenting Podcast

Mar 07 2025 100 ep. 20 mins 50
Play Therapy Parenting Podcast artwork

The path to calm, confident, and in-control parenting starts now. The Play Therapy Parenting Podcast is hosted by Dr. Brenna Hicks, The Kid Counselor®. All content, no fluff.

  Kids & Family
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S2E37 - When Kids Want to Quit Play Therapy: What Parents Need to Know

Mar 07 2025 13 mins  
In this episode, I answer a question from Sabrina about her 10-year-old daughter who suddenly refused to continue play therapy after just a few weeks. She now says she’d rather journal or talk with her mom instead. Sabrina wonders if play at home can bring the same results as therapy and how to navigate this resistance. I explain the four phases of play therapy, why resistance is

S2E36 - Power Struggles & Choice Giving: What to Do When a Child Says “Nothing”

Mar 01 2025 10 mins  
In this episode, I answer a question from Anne in Germany about her three-year-old daughter who refuses to choose when given enforcement choices. Instead of picking an option, she repeatedly says nothing, creating a power struggle around limit-setting. I explain why choosing "nothing" is still a choice and how to handle this scenario without engaging in a battle of wills. I walk th

S2E35 - Adulthood Bias: Why Kids Don’t Think Like Adults (And Why That Matters)

Feb 19 2025 13 mins  
In this episode, I introduce the concept of ADULTHOOD BIAS —the tendency for adults to forget what it was like to be a child, who does not possess rational thought or abstract reasoning until about age 12. This bias causes frustration when kids act impulsively, give one-word answers, or behave in ways that don’t make sense from an adult perspective. Children don’t think or re

S2E34 - Winning the Bedtime Battle: How to End the Nightly Fight

Feb 07 2025 21 mins  
In this episode, I answer a question from Lauren, a mom struggling with her almost 3-year-old’s intense attachment to her father. Her daughter experiences severe separation anxiety, especially at bedtime, making it nearly impossible for mom to comfort her without dad’s presence. I walk through why this attachment has developed and what steps Lauren (and any parent in a similar

S2E33 - Biting, Aggression, and Emotional Overwhelm: Why Kids Act Out During Life Transitions—And How to Help

Jan 30 2025 19 mins  
In this episode of the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast, I respond to a heartfelt question from Heather, a mom navigating divorce while helping her young child through big emotions and challenging behaviors like aggression and biting. I discuss how changes in relationships—such as a deployed parent, a changing caregiver, or shifting custody arrangements—can deeply impact a child'

S2E32 - Raising Kids Who Self-Regulate: A New Parenting Series

Jan 09 2025 11 mins  
In this episode of the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast, I kick off a new series on raising kids who self-regulate. Power struggles and control grabs are common challenges in parenting, but they often undermine the parent-child relationship. I discuss why the ultimate goal is not controlling your child’s behavior but teaching parents a new way to interact with their kids that foste

S2E31 - Transforming Mornings with Choices and Consequences

Jan 02 2025 24 mins  
In this episode of the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast, I respond to an insightful email from Laura in the UK, who is navigating challenges with her 10-year-old son. Laura shares concerns about his lack of intrinsic motivation, his struggle with self-worth, and their morning routine battles. I explain how to encourage intrinsic motivation by using neutral encouragement paired with r

S2E30 - Reflecting Feelings and Giving Choices: Tips for Overcoming Resistance

Dec 13 2024 14 mins  
In this episode of the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast, I respond to Alison’s questions about handling two common parenting challenges: when kids reject reflecting feelings and when they power-struggle choice-giving. Alison shares her frustrations with her son covering his ears and yelling, “Stop talking!” during feeling reflections and refusing choices during mealtime. I expl

S2E29 - Blended Families and Big Gaps: Parenting with Play Therapy Principles

Dec 02 2024 12 mins  
In this episode of the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast, I respond to an email from Deborah in Florida, who is navigating several parenting challenges in a blended family. Deborah shares her experience raising two sons, ages 11 and 4, and the complexities of applying play therapy principles across different stages of development, varying household rules, and challenges like screen ti

S2E28 - Managing Separation Anxiety: Setting Clear Limits and Choices

Nov 11 2024 16 mins  
In this episode of the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast, I answer a question from Cindy about managing her five-year-old daughter's intense separation anxiety and big emotions. Cindy describes her daughter's attachment to her as a "safe person," especially at home, where her anxiety becomes more unmanageable. I discuss strategies that can support Cindy’s daughter, including reflect