Original Air Date: May 3, 2020

The word compassion means ‘to suffer with’ or merge with. This is different than empathy." – Lisa Dion

As play therapists, we hold so much. And often, we don’t realize how deeply the work impacts us—especially when we’re navigating crises both personally and professionally.

In this essential episode, Lisa explores the nuanced differences between vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue—experiences that are far more common in the field than we may recognize. She also reflects on what happens when therapists are living through the same crises as their clients (as many did during the COVID-19 pandemic), and how that overlap can amplify the emotional toll.

This is a deeply important conversation that shines a compassionate light on the realities of holding space for others—without losing ourselves in the process.

🎧 If you’re a play therapist, caregiver, or anyone who supports others through pain, this one is for you.

What happens when therapists bring their own attachment histories into the playroom—consciously or not? In this deeply validating and insightful conversation, Lisa welcomes back Dr. Clair Mellenthin—renowned play therapist, author, and professor—to unpack her groundbreaking dissertation research and explore how a therapist’s personal story shapes their clinical work, especially within family-based play therapy.

Together, they explore:

• Why many play therapists are drawn to the work as “wounded healers”
• Research that debunks the myth of needing to be fully healed to help others
• How personal attachment wounds show up in the playroom—and why doing our own work matters
• The power of mentorship and community in creating earned security and ongoing healing
• How support systems help therapists feel seen, grounded, and more confident with families
• Common struggles therapists face when working with parents, especially with limited training
• Practical steps for building confidence through integration, connection, and focused learning
• Moving stories that show the healing ripple from therapist to family

Whether you’re a student, seasoned therapist, or supervisor, this episode offers normalization, challenge, and inspiration—helping you reflect on your therapeutic presence, embrace your vulnerabilities, and cultivate authentic connection in the healing space.

This episode originally aired in June 2023 when Synergetic Play Therapy turned 15 this year 🎉 (and was also Lisa’s birthday week! 🥳), which made it the perfect moment to pause and reflect on how far the field of play therapy has come—and where it might be headed next.

In this celebratory episode, Lisa dives into the evolution of the mental health and play therapy fields—from early models focused on behavior change to today’s integrative approaches that honor the nervous system, the body, and the power of relationship. You’ll hear about the rise of neuroscience, Polyvagal Theory, interpersonal neurobiology, and the increasing recognition that you—the therapist—are the most important toy in the playroom. 💕

And of course, Lisa can’t help but look to the future, offering thoughts on what might be next for the field, including the emerging role of perception and the mind in the healing process.

🎧 Whether you’ve been tuning in since 2017 or just recently joined us, thank you. We’ve reached over a million downloads, and we’re so grateful you’re part of the journey.