Unexpected Breakthroughs: Navigating Power Dynamics When a Child Tapes Your Mouth Shut

Play Therapy Podcast

In this episode, I address a question from Holly in Virginia about a challenging play therapy session with a 5-year-old child who has a significant trauma background. The child duct-taped Holly's mouth shut during the session, raising questions about setting limits and handling power and control dynamics in the playroom.

I discuss why this situation didn't warrant setting a limit, as it didn't violate safety concerns for the therapist, child, or playroom items. I explain how to handle similar situations where children try to silence the therapist, emphasizing the importance of continued verbal engagement while respecting the child's need for control.

I also address how to approach aggressive play directed at the therapist, outlining the six questions we use to determine if a limit is necessary. Finally, I share Holly's follow-up email, which reveals a significant breakthrough in her relationship with the child, highlighting how unexpected moments in play therapy can lead to valuable therapeutic progress.

If you would like to ask me questions directly, check out www.ccptcollective.com, where I host two weekly Zoom calls filled with advanced CCPT case studies and session reviews, as well as member Q&A. You can take advantage of the two-week free trial to see if the CCPT Collective is right for you.

Ask Me Questions: Call [phone], or email: [e-mail] Brenna's CCPT Hub: https://www.playtherapynow.com CCPT Collective (online community exclusively for CCPTs): https://www.ccptcollective.com Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com APT Approved Play Therapy CE courses: https://childcenteredtraining.com Twitter: @thekidcounselor https://twitter.com/thekidcounselor Facebook: https://facebook.com/playtherapypodcast

Common References: Cochran, N., Nordling, W., & Cochran, J. (2010). Child-Centered Play Therapy (1st ed.). Wiley. VanFleet, R., Sywulak, A. E., & Sniscak, C. C. (2010). Child-centered play therapy. Guilford Press. 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. Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.