415 | Advanced "I Wonder" and Whisper Technique in Role Play
About this episode
This episode discusses the use of whispering and 'I wonder' statements in child-centered play therapy during role play.
In this episode, I answer a question about using whispering and "I wonder" statements during role play in child-centered play therapy. One of the biggest challenges therapists face is knowing when to continue in a role the child has assigned versus when to seek additional direction. I explain why our goal is never to improvise or steer the play, but rather to follow the child's cues while remaining fully adherent to the CCPT model. Sometimes the most therapeutic response isn't another question or wonder statement—it's simply reflecting what the child has already established and patiently waiting for the next cue. I also discuss how to know when a whisper or wonder statement is appropriate, why rushing role play can unintentionally influence the child's process, and how to avoid taking the play in a direction the child never intended. This episode offers practical guidance for navigating one of the most nuanced aspects of CCPT while reinforcing a simple principle: our role is to support the child's play, not shape it. New Live Training Events Announced: Indiana, New Jersey & Tampa dates are locked in and registration is open for Indiana. Go to iamccpt.live for more information…
More episodes of Play Therapy Podcast: A Master-Class in Child-Centered Play Therapy
- 418 | CCPT Mythbusters: You'll Eventually Be 100% Adherent to the Model
- 417 | Expectancy, Not Expectations: The Heart of Unconditional Acceptance in CCPT
- 416 | CCPT Mythbusters: Kids Are Manipulative
- 414 | When a Child Narrates Their Own Play - Trusting the Process
- 413 | CCPT Mythbusters: Child-Centered Play Therapy Doesn't Work with Older Kids
- 412 | When an Anxious Child Won't Stay in the Playroom
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