412 | When an Anxious Child Won't Stay in the Playroom
About this episode
This episode discusses strategies for managing anxious children who struggle to stay in the playroom during therapy sessions.
In this episode, I answer a question about working with a young child who repeatedly tries to leave the playroom during the first few sessions of therapy. Whether the child says they need to see their parent, use the bathroom, or simply can't stay in the room, I explain why these behaviors are often rooted in anxiety, a need for control, and difficulty with emotional regulation—not a true desire to end the session. I walk through how to establish and enforce limits around staying in the playroom while remaining deeply empathic and accepting of the child's experience. I also discuss why consistency is essential when working with anxious children, how holding firm boundaries actually creates safety, and why giving in to escape behaviors unintentionally reinforces the child's anxiety. This episode offers practical guidance for managing "runners" in child-centered play therapy while reminding us that our role is to stay calm, trust the process, and help children discover that they are capable of working through difficult emotions without escaping them. New Live Training Events Announced: Indiana, New Jersey & Tampa dates are locked in and registration is open for Indiana. Go to…
More episodes of Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
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- 417 | Expectancy, Not Expectations: The Heart of Unconditional Acceptance in CCPT
- 416 | CCPT Mythbusters: Kids Are Manipulative
- 415 | Advanced "I Wonder" and Whisper Technique in Role Play
- 414 | When a Child Narrates Their Own Play - Trusting the Process
- 413 | CCPT Mythbusters: Child-Centered Play Therapy Doesn't Work with Older Kids
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