Original Air Date: July 30, 2023

In this deeply insightful episode, Lisa Dion is joined by Dr. Dee Ray, an expert in the field of multicultural play therapy, to discuss an incredibly important and timely topic for every play therapist: Multiculturalism in Play Therapy. If you don’t already own Dee’s book, Multicultural Play Therapy, you’ll definitely want to grab a copy after listening to this conversation—it’s an essential resource for therapists working with children!

In this episode, you’ll hear Dr. Ray’s wisdom on how to integrate multiculturalism into your play therapy practice to connect more deeply with your clients from diverse backgrounds.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

🌎 What multicultural play therapy is—and what it means to be a culturally-inclusive play therapist.

🤝 Cultural humility—How cultural humility is the cornerstone of creating cultural opportunity in therapy.

⛔ Barriers and fears—Identifying and addressing barriers that prevent us from fully connecting with ourselves and our child clients.

🔨 Repairing ruptures—What to do when a rupture occurs in the therapeutic relationship and how to use cultural humility and cultural comfort to bring about cultural opportunity.

👨‍👩‍👧 Working with families—How to develop a more multicultural orientation when working within the family system and with parents/caregivers.

📚 Multicultural playroom—What research says about creating a multicultural playroom and how to incorporate multiculturalism into your play therapy room.

This episode is a must-listen for all clinicians, especially those working with children from diverse backgrounds. Dr. Ray offers practical insights and advice on how we can be more culturally aware and inclusive in our work as play therapists.

Don’t miss this important conversation that will inspire you to bring multiculturalism more consciously into your practice and to create an environment where all children feel seen, understood, and valued.

🌟 Listen now and share this episode with anyone who could benefit from learning about multiculturalism in play therapy.

Additional Resources:

💜 Learn more about Synergetic Play Therapy: Visit our website for courses, resources, and certification opportunities

📚 Explore Our Books and Read Aggression in Play Therapy

✨ SPT Foundation: Learn more about its mission, team, and initiatives

🔗 Follow us on Instagram

🔗 Find us on Facebook

"Perfectionism is the strategy the child is using to manage their anxiety and fear." – Lisa Dion

That child who needs everything just right? Who gets upset when the block tower falls or the drawing isn't “perfect”? There’s more going on than meets the eye.

In this episode, Lisa unpacks the deeper truth behind perfectionism in the playroom—and why it’s not just about wanting to do things well. At its core, perfectionism is often a protective strategy, a way for a child to manage inner uncertainty, fear, and anxiety.

You’ll learn how to recognize the subtle (and not-so-subtle) ways perfectionism shows up in your sessions, and most importantly, how to help children return to themselves—to a place of safety, self-trust, and inner regulation.

This episode is a beautiful reminder: we don’t have to “fix” perfectionism—we just have to meet it with presence.

Original Air Date: November 22, 2019

In this groundbreaking episode, Lisa is joined by Gabriel (Gabe) Lomas, an expert in the field of play therapy, to address a topic rarely discussed in the world of therapy: working with deaf children in the playroom. This episode offers a unique and insightful perspective that will deepen your understanding and approach to supporting children who are deaf.

In this episode, Gabe shares his expertise on the challenges and nuances of working with deaf children in therapy, helping to shine a light on an often misunderstood and overlooked aspect of play therapy.

In this episode, you'll hear:

🔍 Understanding deaf children—Why deaf children are often misunderstood and how to address these misunderstandings in the therapeutic space.

💬 Challenges of being deaf—The emotional and developmental challenges deaf children face, especially in the parent-child relationship.

🗣️ Effective communication—Why it's crucial to speak to deaf children in a language that makes sense to them and how this influences the therapeutic relationship.

🎲 The role of play therapy—How play therapy can bridge the gap, helping deaf children explore perceptions of themselves and their world.

🤝 Joining the world of a deaf child—How to offer deaf children a felt sense of being understood, seen, and validated during play therapy sessions.

🔊 Advocacy for deaf children—What therapists, educators, and caregivers need to be aware of when advocating for deaf children’s needs in therapy and beyond.

This episode will provide you with deep insights into the lived experiences of deaf children and how to be a more effective and compassionate therapist, parent, or educator for them. Gabe shares real-life case examples from his own experiences in child welfare and play therapy, and he even reveals what he believes to be the superpowers of deaf children—a powerful ending you won’t want to miss!

🌟 Listen to this episode and gain a profound understanding of how to support and advocate for deaf children in your practice and beyond.

Additional Resources:

💜 Learn more about Synergetic Play Therapy: Visit our website for courses, resources, and certification opportunities

📚 Explore Our Books and Read Aggression in Play Therapy

✨ SPT Foundation: Learn more about its mission, team, and initiatives

🔗 Follow us on Instagram

🔗 Find us on Facebook