393 | When to Set Limits (and When Not To) in CCPT + Removing Toys
About this episode
This episode addresses common uncertainties in child-centered play therapy regarding when to set limits and the implications of removing certain toys from the playroom.
In this Q&A episode, I respond to two questions that highlight common areas of uncertainty in child-centered play therapy. First, I address a case involving a 7-year-old with significant behavioral challenges across settings. The core issue isn't what to "do more," but whether a limit is actually necessary. I walk through the three reasons we set limits and the three questions we ask ourselves, emphasizing that if safety isn't compromised, restraint is often the more appropriate response. What may feel like behavior "on the edge" is often far from it—and staying grounded in the model, without becoming agenda-driven, is what allows the child to work through what they need. In the second question, I discuss playroom logistics—specifically, removing slime as a recurring activity. I explain why structuring the playroom for success is critical to maintaining permissiveness and therapist acceptance. If certain materials create stress, limits, or disruption, they may be getting in the way of CCPT rather than supporting it. I also explore what slime play may represent for children, such as competence, self-esteem, and comfort, and why removing it can actually open the door for…
More episodes of Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
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- 391 | When a Child Doesn't Want to Stop: Navigating Termination in CCPT
- 390 | Room Wrecks: The Moment That Tests Every Child-Centered Play Therapist (A CCPT Guide for Understanding and Handling Them)
- 389 | Building Buy-In for CCPT with Teachers and Staff
- 388 | Why Are These Kids So Happy?: What I Learned About Parenting (and CCPT) from Japan
- 387 | Stop Overloading Parents: How to Drip Feed CCPT Skills
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