282 | CCPT Purism: From Rogers to Axline and the Eight Principles That Shaped the Child-Centered Play Therapy Model

Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy

In this episode of the CCPT Purism series, I take you through the foundational role of Virginia Axline in translating Carl Rogers' person-centered theory into what we now know as Child-Centered Play Therapy. Axline worked closely with Rogers and applied his concepts to children by introducing her Eight Principles of Non-Directive Play Therapy—a philosophy describing how we show up and relate to children in session, not a list of techniques or tools.

I briefly walk through each of Axline's eight principles, highlight their connections to Rogers' core conditions, and explain how they continue to shape our model today. This episode is a reminder that CCPT isn't something we do—it's a way of being, requiring trust in the child, a release of control, and an unwavering presence. If you practice CCPT, you're not just using Axline's methods—you're carrying on her legacy.

PlayTherapyNow.com is my HUB for everything I do! playtherapynow.com. Sign up for my email newsletter, stay ahead with the latest CCPT CEU courses, personalized coaching opportunities and other opportunities you need to thrive in your CCPT practice. If you click one link in these show notes, this is the one to click!

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 ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com 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.

2025-03-18 21 min Transcript

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Transcript

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You're listening to the Play Therapy Podcast with Dr. Brenna Hicks,

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your source for centered and focused play therapy coaching.

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Hi,

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I'm Dr. Brenna Hicks,

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The Kid Counselor.

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This is the Play Therapy Podcast where you

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get a masterclass in child-centered play therapy

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and practical support and application for your

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work with children and their families.

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In today's episode,

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we are continuing in our CCPT purism series.

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And we're going to dive into

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how we went from Rogers

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into what we know today as CCPT,

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which is through Virginia Axline.

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But before we get into that,

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I want to give a little shout out.

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I just yesterday graduated another group

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out of the Play Therapy Professional program

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and

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so excited for them,

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their confidence and their communication.

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And their efficacy just wanted to say congratulations

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to my newest Play Therapy Professional graduates,

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and there's just been such a transformation to watch and it's been such a joy,

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and they're all saying that they want to keep going for another 6 months.

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So

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I don't know what that's gonna look like,

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but anyway,

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congrats to y'all and.

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It's

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one of my favorite things.

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I,

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I have a lot of favorite things these days,

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but

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podcasting is definitely one of them,

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and then the Collective is one of them,

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and then my coaching groups,

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so

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excited for

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new graduates.

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OK,

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so last episode,

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we

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looked at

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the core conditions

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and the actualizing tendency.

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And we looked at how that crossed over.

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And

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we've been following Roger's influence,

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and now we're moving into Axline.

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So here's what you need to know.

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Axline

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was the pioneer who brought Roger's person-centered play therapy

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into the playroom.

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And essentially gave us

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the earliest version of what we know now

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as CCPT.

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So let's go back to look at her backstory,

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and then we'll look at how

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this actually practically speaking,

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took place.

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So she actually worked closely with Rogers at Ohio State.

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And then at the University of Chicago as well.

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And she had an interesting background.

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She came from education

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and psychology.

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I know many of you all have a background in education,

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so that's actually a pretty consistent path,

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but it uniquely positioned her.

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To take Roger's work

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and modify it for children.

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She published two landmark works,

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which I own both,

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so should you.

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They're out of print,

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but you can get them used.

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She published Play Therapy

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in 1947.

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Which,

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by the way,

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just pause there,

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that's

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2 years after the World War.

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And

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we're looking at a really interesting scenario for her to have published that in 47.

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And then she published Dibs In Search of Self in '64.

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And

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Dibs is,

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gosh,

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a groundbreaking book.

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Every play therapist should read it.

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It,

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Dibs was a real child,

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and it looked at

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specific sessions

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with Dibs.

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As an example of what CCPT looks like

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in a playroom.

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That book

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changed my life legitimately.

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I,

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I still

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look at it every once in a while.

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That

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is an incredible book to own and to read.

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Probably once a year.

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You should probably read it every year.

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OK,

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so then.

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Axline took

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person centered therapy approaches.

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And

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created 8 principles.

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Of non-directive play therapy.

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So this is originally published in her 1947 work.

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And essentially,

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here's what you need to know about these principles.

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I actually encourage you to memorize them,

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but if you don't memorize them,

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here's what you need to know about their function.

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It

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explained

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how a therapist shows up

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in the playroom.

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That's really what these 8 principles are all about.

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How a play therapist shows up

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and how

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they

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participate in the relationship.

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It's not about what we do,

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it's about how we show up and pour into the relationship.

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So I'm going to quickly go through each of the 8.

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You should

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know them and memorize them yourself.

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But we'll hit highlights.

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So the first,

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the

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therapist must develop a warm,

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friendly relationship with the child,

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in which good rapport established as soon as possible.

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OK,

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why does this matter?

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Because this is essentially the

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therapeutic relationship

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as the primary vehicle for change,

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as Rogers presented.

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And the play therapist offers the warm presence

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where the child feels emotionally safe.

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That that's as simple as it can be.

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We're just creating a relationship where the child feels safe.

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They'll naturally self-actualize.

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It all begins with connection.

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OK,

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#2,

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the therapist accepts the child exactly as they are.

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This is essentially unconditional positive regard from Rogers.

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The therapist shows up

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and

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Accepts every bit of the child.

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The child's behaviors,

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the child's emotions,

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the child's personality,

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doesn't matter if it's aggressive or whatever.

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The,

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the child comes,

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the therapist accepts the child,

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no matter what.

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This allows the child to be authentic.

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And again,

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if the child feels safe and can be authentic,

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the child will naturally self-actualize.

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OK,

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#3,

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the therapist establishes a feeling of permissiveness in the relationship.

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So that the child feels free to express their feelings completely.

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Kids will only express

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how they really feel

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if they know it's safe to do so.

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And so basically what's happening in this one,

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the play therapist communicates both verbally and nonverbally.

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You can feel however you need to feel in here.

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And

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here's where we get

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a lot of barbs thrown at us.

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This does not mean

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that chaos ensues in the playroom.

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It means emotional freedom.

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Child,

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any feeling is valid.

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All feelings are valid.

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The child can feel anything.

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But there are relational boundaries.

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In the way of limits.

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But it does not mean chaos.

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It does not mean child gets to do whatever child wants.

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It does not mean that there are no expectations.

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None of those are true.

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It just means

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that we allow

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for the child to feel

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anything that they need to feel

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because permissiveness is a principle.

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Fourth,

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the therapist is alert to recognize the feelings the child is expressing.

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And reflects those feelings back to the child in such

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a way that the child gains insight into their behavior.

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This is essentially

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empathy.

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Empathic understanding

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practically applied.

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We

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track.

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Behavior,

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we reflect

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content,

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but we also reflect feelings.

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And what that does is it provides meaning

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to the child

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that they may not have words for that feeling yet.

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And

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we do not interpret what's going on.

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But we just

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reflectively respond

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in such a way that the child gains clarity on their emotions

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and they better understand themselves.

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OK,

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5th,

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the therapist maintains a deep respect for the child's ability to

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solve their own problems if given an opportunity to do so.

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The responsibility to make choices and institute change is the child's.

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This is essentially

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communicating

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that the child will self-actualize.

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And it

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believes

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that the child has the capacity for growth.

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Therefore,

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we'd resist the urge to solve problems.

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We resist the urge to teach coping skills.

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We resist the urge to redirect play.

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We trust the process.

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And we resist adult-driven

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goals.

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Why?

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Because let's go back to the principle.

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We maintain a deep respect for the child's ability to solve their own problems.

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We don't need to solve the problems for the child.

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This is going straight back to Rogers

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when we talked about

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the psychoanalysts and the behaviorists.

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We just get out of the way

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and the child does what the child needs to do.

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#6,

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the therapist does not attempt to direct

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the child's actions or conversation in any manner.

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The child leads the way the therapist follows.

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The defining feature

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00:09:45,559 --> 00:09:46,679
of CCPT

260
00:09:47,039 --> 00:09:48,309
is being non-directive.

261
00:09:49,460 --> 00:09:51,369
We don't ask leading questions,

262
00:09:51,580 --> 00:09:52,849
we don't suggest

263
00:09:53,140 --> 00:09:54,469
what the child should do.

264
00:09:55,179 --> 00:09:55,969
We don't

265
00:09:56,299 --> 00:09:58,590
nudge them in a specific direction.

266
00:09:59,760 --> 00:10:00,239
Why?

267
00:10:00,580 --> 00:10:01,090
Because.

268
00:10:02,539 --> 00:10:04,409
We witness what's going on,

269
00:10:04,859 --> 00:10:06,609
we support what's going on.

270
00:10:07,900 --> 00:10:09,500
But we don't lead.

271
00:10:10,640 --> 00:10:14,010
The child is the expert on their own inner world.

272
00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:17,859
So we don't attempt to do anything

273
00:10:18,380 --> 00:10:20,330
other than witness and support

274
00:10:20,619 --> 00:10:21,729
the work that's being done.

275
00:10:23,090 --> 00:10:23,729
#7,

276
00:10:24,010 --> 00:10:24,330
this is,

277
00:10:24,409 --> 00:10:25,390
this is the big one.

278
00:10:25,570 --> 00:10:28,239
The therapist does not hurry the therapy along.

279
00:10:29,219 --> 00:10:33,890
It is a gradual process and it is recognized as such by the therapist.

280
00:10:34,880 --> 00:10:35,419
All right,

281
00:10:35,599 --> 00:10:37,270
we all know what it's like.

282
00:10:37,599 --> 00:10:39,109
We all feel pressure

283
00:10:39,479 --> 00:10:41,359
for progress or outcomes.

284
00:10:42,530 --> 00:10:43,679
Sometimes from within,

285
00:10:44,010 --> 00:10:45,049
sometimes from without,

286
00:10:45,450 --> 00:10:46,289
from stakeholders,

287
00:10:46,450 --> 00:10:47,210
from teachers,

288
00:10:47,369 --> 00:10:48,159
from parents,

289
00:10:48,450 --> 00:10:50,080
from pediatricians,

290
00:10:50,330 --> 00:10:51,599
from judges,

291
00:10:51,809 --> 00:10:52,880
from ourselves,

292
00:10:53,090 --> 00:10:53,969
from whoever.

293
00:10:54,289 --> 00:10:55,440
We all have

294
00:10:55,650 --> 00:10:56,719
this pressure

295
00:10:57,250 --> 00:10:58,679
for progress and outcomes.

296
00:11:00,270 --> 00:11:02,669
And this principle counters

297
00:11:02,940 --> 00:11:03,880
the urge

298
00:11:04,380 --> 00:11:06,140
to do something about that pressure.

299
00:11:07,750 --> 00:11:12,270
Essentially what we're doing is trusting the child's internal timeline.

300
00:11:13,429 --> 00:11:15,479
And we can't measure progress

301
00:11:15,849 --> 00:11:17,289
by external standards.

302
00:11:18,619 --> 00:11:21,650
Because healing happens in the child's time.

303
00:11:23,140 --> 00:11:23,890
So therefore,

304
00:11:23,950 --> 00:11:25,729
we have to honor the process.

305
00:11:27,440 --> 00:11:28,359
And finally,

306
00:11:28,690 --> 00:11:31,369
therapy is limited only by the boundaries required

307
00:11:31,369 --> 00:11:33,809
for the child to feel free and protected.

308
00:11:34,369 --> 00:11:38,359
The child's freedom is restricted only when necessary to protect the child,

309
00:11:38,369 --> 00:11:38,900
others,

310
00:11:39,010 --> 00:11:40,280
or the physical environment.

311
00:11:42,010 --> 00:11:44,119
Structure is important,

312
00:11:44,609 --> 00:11:46,320
safety is important.

313
00:11:46,969 --> 00:11:48,570
Security is important.

314
00:11:50,020 --> 00:11:50,479
But

315
00:11:51,619 --> 00:11:52,729
It must be

316
00:11:53,219 --> 00:11:54,169
minimal,

317
00:11:54,460 --> 00:11:55,929
it must be predictable.

318
00:11:56,780 --> 00:11:58,150
It must be respectful.

319
00:12:00,859 --> 00:12:01,549
And

320
00:12:02,309 --> 00:12:03,619
We understand

321
00:12:03,950 --> 00:12:07,340
that there is only safety and security and structure.

322
00:12:08,289 --> 00:12:10,719
Within boundaries in a relationship.

323
00:12:12,010 --> 00:12:12,619
But

324
00:12:12,750 --> 00:12:13,739
we also know.

325
00:12:14,539 --> 00:12:15,049
That

326
00:12:15,270 --> 00:12:17,869
those boundaries need to be minimal,

327
00:12:18,219 --> 00:12:19,010
predictable,

328
00:12:19,219 --> 00:12:20,130
and respectful.

329
00:12:22,369 --> 00:12:23,090
There's

330
00:12:23,289 --> 00:12:24,419
the fine line.

331
00:12:24,809 --> 00:12:25,919
There's the tightrope

332
00:12:26,130 --> 00:12:27,650
that we find ourselves walking.

333
00:12:28,989 --> 00:12:32,500
Because limits are set only when they're absolutely necessary

334
00:12:32,830 --> 00:12:34,429
in a consistent format.

335
00:12:35,500 --> 00:12:35,799
Right?

336
00:12:35,840 --> 00:12:36,809
3 steps.

337
00:12:37,260 --> 00:12:38,250
Reflect the feeling,

338
00:12:38,530 --> 00:12:40,570
acknowledge what the limit is neutrally,

339
00:12:40,739 --> 00:12:42,169
and then provide choices.

340
00:12:42,340 --> 00:12:42,659
OK,

341
00:12:42,820 --> 00:12:46,969
we know there needs to be structure and safety and security.

342
00:12:47,419 --> 00:12:49,609
We know that sometimes limits are necessary.

343
00:12:50,780 --> 00:12:51,630
But they're minimal,

344
00:12:51,710 --> 00:12:52,270
predictable,

345
00:12:52,309 --> 00:12:53,219
and respectful.

346
00:12:53,469 --> 00:12:54,000
Why?

347
00:12:54,599 --> 00:12:55,020
Because

348
00:12:55,309 --> 00:12:56,429
the therapeutic environment,

349
00:12:56,729 --> 00:12:57,750
specifically the playroom.

350
00:12:58,919 --> 00:13:02,890
It is always intended to be emotionally permissive.

351
00:13:04,059 --> 00:13:07,750
It's always intended to be behaviorally permissive.

352
00:13:09,400 --> 00:13:10,390
While being

353
00:13:10,640 --> 00:13:13,229
physically and relationally safe.

354
00:13:15,340 --> 00:13:16,119
I'm gonna say that again,

355
00:13:16,239 --> 00:13:17,070
because that's,

356
00:13:17,640 --> 00:13:18,549
that's pretty much

357
00:13:19,039 --> 00:13:20,150
a mantra.

358
00:13:21,650 --> 00:13:22,919
So the playroom

359
00:13:23,330 --> 00:13:26,559
is meant to be emotionally permissive

360
00:13:26,969 --> 00:13:28,739
and behaviorally permissive.

361
00:13:30,669 --> 00:13:34,380
While being physically safe and relationally safe.

362
00:13:36,059 --> 00:13:37,960
And that's what the 8th principle is about.

363
00:13:38,130 --> 00:13:40,520
It's about when we need to set limits and how.

364
00:13:42,150 --> 00:13:42,510
All right,

365
00:13:42,750 --> 00:13:45,630
so I told you that was a very brief cliffs notes,

366
00:13:45,830 --> 00:13:46,190
but.

367
00:13:47,489 --> 00:13:49,080
Let's be really clear

368
00:13:49,330 --> 00:13:51,130
on why these eight principles matter.

369
00:13:51,330 --> 00:13:53,119
Not only do they serve as

370
00:13:53,369 --> 00:13:55,409
our guide rails of how to show up.

371
00:13:56,760 --> 00:13:58,679
But these are not techniques.

372
00:13:59,619 --> 00:13:59,869
I,

373
00:13:59,880 --> 00:14:02,229
I want that to be abundantly clear.

374
00:14:02,440 --> 00:14:04,030
These are not techniques.

375
00:14:05,099 --> 00:14:06,989
She was defining

376
00:14:07,280 --> 00:14:08,789
the way of being

377
00:14:09,239 --> 00:14:09,969
with children.

378
00:14:11,099 --> 00:14:13,500
That echoed Roger's principles.

379
00:14:15,070 --> 00:14:17,489
So she took Roger's principles

380
00:14:17,770 --> 00:14:20,179
and defined the way of being

381
00:14:20,570 --> 00:14:21,880
in relation to children.

382
00:14:23,119 --> 00:14:27,609
Just like Rogers defined the way of being with an adult client

383
00:14:27,840 --> 00:14:29,229
in the person centered approach.

384
00:14:30,599 --> 00:14:33,299
And these 8 principles essentially

385
00:14:33,830 --> 00:14:35,179
became the foundation

386
00:14:35,469 --> 00:14:37,460
for CCPT as we know it today.

387
00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:40,010
And here's

388
00:14:40,299 --> 00:14:42,330
in summary what these 8 principles do.

389
00:14:43,950 --> 00:14:46,070
They challenge us as play therapists.

390
00:14:47,359 --> 00:14:49,400
To first trust the child.

391
00:14:51,570 --> 00:14:52,049
Second,

392
00:14:53,070 --> 00:14:54,419
To let go of control.

393
00:14:55,260 --> 00:14:55,690
Yikes,

394
00:14:55,700 --> 00:14:56,559
that's a hard one.

395
00:14:57,809 --> 00:14:58,880
And 3rd,

396
00:14:59,239 --> 00:15:01,200
to show up with presence

397
00:15:01,760 --> 00:15:02,630
instead of agenda.

398
00:15:04,849 --> 00:15:06,320
Those are the three

399
00:15:06,719 --> 00:15:07,450
challenges.

400
00:15:08,659 --> 00:15:11,609
That comes straight out of those eight principles

401
00:15:11,940 --> 00:15:13,210
we trust the child,

402
00:15:13,580 --> 00:15:15,200
we let go of control,

403
00:15:15,460 --> 00:15:18,090
and we show up with presence instead of agenda.

404
00:15:20,919 --> 00:15:22,950
She stayed so true

405
00:15:23,400 --> 00:15:24,840
to Roger's theory.

406
00:15:26,580 --> 00:15:27,940
But translated it

407
00:15:28,179 --> 00:15:29,650
into the world of children.

408
00:15:30,830 --> 00:15:31,750
And

409
00:15:32,020 --> 00:15:33,950
honored the fact that children will play

410
00:15:34,380 --> 00:15:35,260
rather than speak.

411
00:15:37,570 --> 00:15:38,380
So,

412
00:15:38,609 --> 00:15:40,200
what does this mean in

413
00:15:40,330 --> 00:15:43,039
the grand scheme other than we now have

414
00:15:43,369 --> 00:15:44,440
a sense of

415
00:15:44,690 --> 00:15:46,359
the way to be with children.

416
00:15:47,309 --> 00:15:47,849
And

417
00:15:48,429 --> 00:15:50,619
To meet those challenges that we just talked about,

418
00:15:50,750 --> 00:15:51,140
but

419
00:15:51,309 --> 00:15:52,619
you have to keep in mind,

420
00:15:53,429 --> 00:15:54,460
before Axline,

421
00:15:54,549 --> 00:15:55,750
similarly to Rogers,

422
00:15:55,789 --> 00:15:55,989
right?

423
00:15:56,010 --> 00:15:58,940
We looked at psychoanalytic and behaviorists,

424
00:15:59,630 --> 00:16:01,679
that was the standard before Rogers.

425
00:16:01,750 --> 00:16:01,869
Well,

426
00:16:01,989 --> 00:16:02,739
similarly,

427
00:16:03,070 --> 00:16:05,000
child therapy before Axline.

428
00:16:05,989 --> 00:16:08,340
Was either psychoanalytic or behavioral,

429
00:16:08,950 --> 00:16:09,979
but in either case,

430
00:16:10,030 --> 00:16:11,619
they were both highly directive.

431
00:16:13,070 --> 00:16:16,239
So Axline shifts the focus to the child's inner world,

432
00:16:16,330 --> 00:16:19,849
just like Rogers shifted the focus to the adult's inner world.

433
00:16:20,979 --> 00:16:21,469
But

434
00:16:21,640 --> 00:16:22,390
uniquely,

435
00:16:22,609 --> 00:16:24,229
Axline said play

436
00:16:24,520 --> 00:16:26,750
is the medium for growth and healing for children.

437
00:16:27,960 --> 00:16:28,890
And she

438
00:16:29,270 --> 00:16:31,780
fully and wholly trusted and believed

439
00:16:32,150 --> 00:16:35,900
that what Roger said about adults applied equally to children.

440
00:16:36,960 --> 00:16:37,539
And

441
00:16:37,789 --> 00:16:38,010
what,

442
00:16:38,119 --> 00:16:41,880
what did Rogers put out into the world that was so groundbreaking and

443
00:16:42,150 --> 00:16:42,940
such a shift?

444
00:16:42,950 --> 00:16:43,349
Well,

445
00:16:44,320 --> 00:16:45,640
That people need acceptance,

446
00:16:45,760 --> 00:16:46,520
not fixing.

447
00:16:48,520 --> 00:16:51,210
And they grow when they feel safe

448
00:16:51,539 --> 00:16:52,049
and

449
00:16:52,340 --> 00:16:53,659
seen and understood.

450
00:16:55,109 --> 00:16:57,690
And those are true for children as well.

451
00:16:58,059 --> 00:16:59,020
They don't need to be fixed,

452
00:16:59,099 --> 00:17:00,159
they need acceptance.

453
00:17:00,969 --> 00:17:02,429
And they will naturally grow,

454
00:17:02,640 --> 00:17:04,270
become a better version of themselves

455
00:17:04,598 --> 00:17:06,550
if they feel safe in the relationship,

456
00:17:06,618 --> 00:17:07,890
if they feel seen by the

457
00:17:08,170 --> 00:17:08,979
therapist,

458
00:17:09,098 --> 00:17:10,439
and if they feel understood.

459
00:17:12,108 --> 00:17:12,589
So

460
00:17:13,930 --> 00:17:15,339
Axline's legacy.

461
00:17:16,660 --> 00:17:22,239
Essentially laid the groundwork for Landreth and other pioneers to follow.

462
00:17:23,598 --> 00:17:25,689
Her 8 principles are still taught today.

463
00:17:26,489 --> 00:17:27,368
Consistently

464
00:17:28,808 --> 00:17:32,798
Dibs is often the first book that CCPT therapists read.

465
00:17:32,928 --> 00:17:33,649
It was for me.

466
00:17:33,769 --> 00:17:37,038
It was required coursework in my graduate certificate program.

467
00:17:38,329 --> 00:17:39,020
And

468
00:17:39,250 --> 00:17:40,359
it is,

469
00:17:40,650 --> 00:17:45,719
it stands the test of time because it is so helpful to understand what it looks like

470
00:17:46,089 --> 00:17:49,729
with a case that you actually get to follow from beginning to end.

471
00:17:50,800 --> 00:17:51,770
But here's the thing,

472
00:17:52,020 --> 00:17:53,939
her work is often misunderstood.

473
00:17:54,680 --> 00:17:54,910
I,

474
00:17:54,920 --> 00:17:55,479
I want

475
00:17:55,680 --> 00:17:57,359
to pause on this for a second.

476
00:17:58,359 --> 00:18:00,880
A lot of times therapists will read Dibs.

477
00:18:01,699 --> 00:18:03,250
And and see

478
00:18:03,489 --> 00:18:05,760
it as an opportunity to take techniques away.

479
00:18:07,890 --> 00:18:08,729
But here's the thing,

480
00:18:08,800 --> 00:18:10,719
if you take techniques away

481
00:18:11,250 --> 00:18:12,520
without embracing

482
00:18:12,770 --> 00:18:15,719
the non-directive child-centered,

483
00:18:15,890 --> 00:18:16,880
child-led

484
00:18:17,089 --> 00:18:18,400
philosophy behind it.

485
00:18:19,660 --> 00:18:20,219
Then

486
00:18:20,619 --> 00:18:21,680
you're just eclectic.

487
00:18:24,150 --> 00:18:27,109
And Axline was not creating a toolbox.

488
00:18:27,359 --> 00:18:29,709
That's not what her work was about.

489
00:18:30,560 --> 00:18:31,989
She laid a foundation

490
00:18:32,239 --> 00:18:34,589
for a way of being with children.

491
00:18:35,020 --> 00:18:36,270
We talk about that all the time.

492
00:18:36,319 --> 00:18:37,660
This is a way of being.

493
00:18:37,959 --> 00:18:38,920
We don't do this,

494
00:18:39,040 --> 00:18:39,839
we are this.

495
00:18:40,630 --> 00:18:42,250
This is a way of being.

496
00:18:42,560 --> 00:18:43,670
This way of being

497
00:18:44,209 --> 00:18:45,069
requires

498
00:18:45,680 --> 00:18:46,489
presence.

499
00:18:46,800 --> 00:18:48,439
It requires trust.

500
00:18:49,199 --> 00:18:50,800
It requires humility.

501
00:18:52,219 --> 00:18:54,239
That's why CCPT isn't for everyone.

502
00:18:56,459 --> 00:18:58,459
It requires things of us,

503
00:18:58,790 --> 00:19:01,420
and we have to be able to give those things.

504
00:19:03,160 --> 00:19:03,670
So,

505
00:19:03,880 --> 00:19:04,989
here's the takeaway.

506
00:19:06,069 --> 00:19:09,270
You're not just using Axline's techniques.

507
00:19:11,280 --> 00:19:13,560
When you are fully CCPT

508
00:19:14,119 --> 00:19:16,319
you are continuing Axline's legacy.

509
00:19:17,229 --> 00:19:18,300
If you are

510
00:19:18,430 --> 00:19:19,430
CCPT.

511
00:19:20,760 --> 00:19:23,430
You need to understand Axline's

512
00:19:23,880 --> 00:19:24,310
influence,

513
00:19:24,479 --> 00:19:25,790
where this model came from.

514
00:19:26,800 --> 00:19:27,550
Why

515
00:19:27,800 --> 00:19:29,920
the non-directive component matters.

516
00:19:31,180 --> 00:19:32,829
And resist the temptation

517
00:19:33,199 --> 00:19:36,349
to guide or interpret or analyze what's going on.

518
00:19:36,910 --> 00:19:37,380
Why?

519
00:19:37,790 --> 00:19:40,979
Because everything about Axline's work trusted the child.

520
00:19:41,770 --> 00:19:42,670
And we should too.

521
00:19:44,010 --> 00:19:44,170
Yes,

522
00:19:44,250 --> 00:19:46,199
we trust the process all the time,

523
00:19:47,050 --> 00:19:49,000
but we also have to trust the child.

524
00:19:50,010 --> 00:19:50,650
That's,

525
00:19:50,849 --> 00:19:52,839
that's what Axline put out into the world.

526
00:19:53,369 --> 00:19:54,520
Just trust the child.

527
00:19:55,640 --> 00:19:57,569
So I hope that that helps you

528
00:19:58,099 --> 00:19:58,650
see

529
00:19:59,219 --> 00:20:00,020
where we've been.

530
00:20:00,770 --> 00:20:01,930
And next episode,

531
00:20:02,000 --> 00:20:03,270
we're going to look at

532
00:20:03,560 --> 00:20:04,949
Bernard and Louise Guerney.

533
00:20:05,849 --> 00:20:07,859
And how they expanded this model

534
00:20:08,349 --> 00:20:11,900
and brought parents into the process through

535
00:20:12,150 --> 00:20:13,380
filial play therapy,

536
00:20:13,670 --> 00:20:16,939
teaching parents to use CCPT principles with their own children.

537
00:20:18,339 --> 00:20:21,089
So I'd love to hear from you if you have thoughts about this series,

538
00:20:21,170 --> 00:20:22,560
if you have thoughts about

539
00:20:22,829 --> 00:20:25,160
Axline or anything that we've been talking about,

540
00:20:25,770 --> 00:20:26,290
shoot me an email.

541
00:20:26,329 --> 00:20:29,250
I'd love to receive it brenna@thekidcounselor.com.

542
00:20:29,520 --> 00:20:30,489
If you wanna ask me a question,

543
00:20:30,569 --> 00:20:31,160
you can do that.

544
00:20:31,250 --> 00:20:34,880
If you'd like to leave a voicemail for me to answer a question,

545
00:20:35,089 --> 00:20:38,609
you can call 813-812-5525 in the states.

546
00:20:39,339 --> 00:20:40,579
And I love y'all,

547
00:20:40,790 --> 00:20:43,390
and I can't wait to dive into this series more.

548
00:20:43,510 --> 00:20:46,510
Thank you for letting me know that this series is meaningful and helpful to you.

549
00:20:46,550 --> 00:20:48,459
A lot of you have reached out and I appreciate that.

550
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You're why I do this,

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so we're,

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we're in this CCPT thing together.

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Love y'all.

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We'll talk again soon.

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Bye.

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Thank you for listening to the Play Therapy Podcast with Dr.

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Brenna Hicks.

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For more episodes and resources,

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please go to www.playtherapypodcast.com.

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