About this episode

In this episode, Jackie Flynn interviews Dr. Tanya Defferary about the lessons from the natural world regarding safety, trust, and healing in therapy.

Welcome to EMDR Playground, the podcast for therapists who want to integrate EMDR and play with confidence, clarity, and creativity. Hosted by Jackie Flynn, Registered Play Therapist, EMDRIA Trainer, and author of the EMDR with Kids Flipchart, this show explores how fidelity to the EMDR model, a deep understanding of the nervous system, and the language of play can transform therapy for children, teens, and adults. Each episode offers practical strategies, expert conversations, and insights you can use right away to help your clients heal more deeply. Whether you're EMDR-trained or just beginning to explore this powerful approach, EMDR Playground is your space to grow, connect, and bring more depth and effectiveness to your work. In this episode, I sit down with Tanya Defferary to explore The Wisdom of Momma Cheetah and what the natural world can teach us about safety, trust, instinct, attachment, and the return to self. As Tanya shared stories from Nyosi Wildlife Reserve, I found myself thinking deeply about EMDR therapy and the Adaptive Information Processing model. Trauma can disconnect us from our natural ability to orient toward safety, connection, curiosity, and presence…

People in this episode

Host: Jackie Flynn

Guest: Dr. Tanya Defferary

Topics covered

• EMDR therapy
• play therapy
• safety
• trust
• attachment
• nervous system
• healing

Keywords

• EMDR
• play therapy
• nervous system
• trauma
• healing
• attachment
• safety
• trust
• Momma Cheetah

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: EMDR Playground, Nyosi Wildlife Reserve

More episodes of Play Therapy Community

• 125: AI, EMDR, and Attachment Informed Playing With Time with guests Mark Brayne and Rotem Brayer · June 24, 2026 · 23 min
• 123: Safe Enough: When Safety Doesn't Feel Safe with Jackie Flynn · May 11, 2026 · 31 min
• 122: Exploring AI in EMDR with Jocelyn Fitzgerald · April 16, 2026 · 10 min
• 121: Co-Regulation, EMDR, and a Mama Turtle Story with Lisa Dion · March 30, 2026 · 45 min
• 120: "Before Trauma Processing" Safety, Stabilization, and Protective Parts in EMDR · March 13, 2026 · 34 min
• 119: Why Every Suggestion Matters in EMDR Therapy "Recommending IS Clinical" · February 27, 2026 · 18 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Play Therapy Community podcast page.