Lessons from the Playroom

Originally aired February 25, 2025
"We all walk around in our little cultural bubble, and sometimes, without realizing it, that bubble shapes how we show up in the playroom." – Dr. Carmen Cubillo
In this thought-provoking episode, Lisa sits down with Dr. Carmen Cubillo, a clinical psychologist, Registered Play Therapist, and cultural advocate based in Australia, for an essential conversation about culture—our own, our clients', and how both shape the therapeutic relationship.
Together, Lisa and Carmen dive into:
✨ The therapist's cultural lens: How our personal cultural background influences the way we show up in the playroom and why it's crucial to reflect on it.
✨ Layers of cultural curiosity: Beyond heritage, how systemic and societal influences shape our clients' experiences and why we must stay open and adaptable.
✨ Cultural safety in therapy: What it means to be a culturally safe therapist and how unconscious biases can create barriers to connection.
✨ The importance of rupture and repair: Why acknowledging cultural missteps—rather than avoiding them—deepens trust and strengthens relationships.
✨ Connecting to the land: How understanding the cultural history of where you live can ground your practice and help you become more attuned to the experiences of the children and families you work with.
This episode is an invitation to lean into cultural awareness, embrace the discomfort of learning, and grow into more attuned and connected therapists. With Carmen's wisdom, vulnerability, and deep experience working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, this conversation will challenge, inspire, and expand your perspective.
💡 Join Lisa and Carmen for this transformative discussion and take your cultural curiosity to the next level.
🔗 Resources Mentioned:
Learn more about Dr. Carmen Kubio and her work in culturally responsive play therapy.
🎧 Tune in, reflect, and lean on in. 💜
Podcast Resources: 
Synergetic Play Therapy Institute
Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website
FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey 
Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity
* If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and invite your friends/fellow colleagues to join us.

Original air date: Feb 11, 2025
In this episode, Lisa is joined by Mili Shoemaker, a Synergetic Play Therapy supervisor trainer, long-time consultant, and dear friend. Together, they dive into one of the most foundational concepts in Synergetic Play Therapy: attachment to self.
Join Lisa and Mili as they explore:
How attachment to self differs from traditional attachment theories.
Why moments of mindful awareness are key to healing and integration.
The connection between attachment styles, perception, and self-regulation.
Practical ways therapists can foster attachment to self within themselves and their clients.
Personal stories and reflections on the profound impact of this concept in therapy and beyond.
Lisa also shares actionable insights, including a reflective exercise to observe and strengthen your connection to self throughout your week.
Whether you're a therapist, a parent, or someone curious about deepening your self-awareness, this episode is packed with transformative insights.
Grab a notebook, and tune in to learn why attachment to self is not only the cornerstone of healing but also the foundation for developing secure relationships with others.
Resources mentioned:
👉 The Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy Course – https://learn.synergeticplaytherapy.com/spt-signature-programs/
Podcast Resources: 
Synergetic Play Therapy Institute
Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website
FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey 
Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity
* If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and invite your friends/fellow colleagues to join us.

Original air date: Jan 28, 2025
In this episode, Lisa reconnects with Natascha Lawrence, a Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor, EMDR Practitioner, and founder of the FASD Institute, for an essential conversation about supporting children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASDs) through play therapy. This is Part 2 of their dialogue, revisiting a topic that rarely gets the attention it deserves in the field of play therapy.
Together, Lisa and Natascha dive into:
What play therapists need to know about FASD: A holistic understanding of FASD as a whole-body diagnosis and its implications for therapeutic practice.
Creating neurodivergent-friendly play spaces: Practical steps to make playrooms sensory-safe and accessible for children with FASD and other neurodiverse conditions.
The FASD iceberg analogy: Understanding the layers beneath the surface and how they influence behavior, communication, and regulation.
Challenging the stigma: Reframing the narrative for children with FASD and their families, starting with compassion and respect.
Supporting caregivers: Why empowering parents and destigmatizing FASD is vital for meaningful therapeutic outcomes.
With Natascha's blend of professional expertise and personal insights as a parent of a child with FASD, this conversation provides invaluable tools and perspectives for therapists and caregivers alike.
Join Lisa and Natascha for this heartfelt and eye-opening episode, and discover how to make your play therapy practice more inclusive, effective, and empowering for children with FASD. 🌟
Podcast Resources: 
Learn more about Natascha's work and the FASD Institute: www.fasdinstitute.com
Synergetic Play Therapy Institute
Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website
FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey 
Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity
* If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and invite your friends/fellow colleagues to join us.

Original air date: Dec 31, 2024
In this episode, Lisa is joined by Georgie Wissen Vincent.  She is a play therapist, co-founder of the Play Strong Institute, and co-author of The Way of Play: Using Little Moments of Big Connection to Raise Calm and Confident Kids with Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, renowned psychotherapist, speaker, and author specializing in parenting and child development (...you likely know her from her co-parenting books with Dr. Dan Siegel). Together, they dive into the magic of play—not only as a therapeutic tool but as a way to strengthen relationships and foster meaningful connections.
Together, Lisa and Georgie explore:
Why play is more than just an activity—it's a language.
The importance of involving parents in the therapeutic process and how to make it meaningful.
A sneak peek into The Way of Play's "Play Strong Strategies" that blend neuroscience with practical tools for connection.
How this book fills a gap in resources for parents and therapists alike, offering an approachable way to communicate the magic of play.
Georgie's reflections on customizing play therapy to meet the unique needs of every child and family.
Tips for therapists to reconnect with their own playfulness.
Grab a notebook, and tune in for a conversation that will leave you feeling inspired and ready to bring new energy into your play therapy practice!
Podcast Resources: 
The Way of Play Book: www.playstronginstitute.com
Synergetic Play Therapy Institute: https://synergeticplaytherapy.com/
Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website: https://learn.synergeticplaytherapy.com/
FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey: https://synergeticplaytherapy.com/free-resources/ 
Aggression in Play Therapy: https://synergeticplaytherapy.com/books/

Original air date: Dec 03, 2024
We're diving into another special Q&A episode of Lessons from the Playroom! Lisa is answering three thought-provoking questions from our listeners, offering insights into some of the tricky moments that arise in the playroom.
Tune in as Lisa explores messes, transitions, and those unexpected trips to the bathroom, unpacking what they might signify for the therapeutic process and how to respond with intention.
This week's questions include:
Jasmine asks: "What do you do when a child makes huge messes [in the playroom]?"
Lisa explores the art of setting boundaries while respecting the therapeutic needs behind the mess.
Amy asks: "How do you help a child transition when they don't want to leave the session?"
Lisa shares insights into the emotional significance of endings and how to make transitions smoother and more meaningful.
Heather asks: "What do I do when a child keeps leaving the session to go to the bathroom?"
You're invited to get curious about what is happening beneath the surface and what this behavior might reveal about the child's inner process.
This episode is packed with rich insights and practical takeaways to help you navigate some of the trickiest moments in therapy.
We love hearing from you! Have a question or scenario you'd like Lisa to discuss? Send your questions to info@synergeticplaytherapy.com or submit an audio clip. Your stories inspire meaningful growth and learning for all of us.
Podcast Resources: 
Synergetic Play Therapy Institute
Synergetic Play Therapy Learning Website
FREE Resources to support you on your play therapy journey 
Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity
* If you enjoy this podcast, please give us a five-star rating and review on Apple Podcast, subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and invite your friends/fellow colleagues to join us.