415 | Advanced "I Wonder" and Whisper Technique in 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.

Podcast Meetups! Come hang out with me. I'm hosting casual Play Therapy Podcast listener meetups in Denver and Seattle on Aug. 4th and 6th. I'd love to connect with you in person! Learn more and RSVP at https://www.playtherapypodcast.com/meetup/

New Resource for Play Therapists: The Parent Companion for Play Therapy is now available at author pricing for therapists. Created specifically to help parents better understand the child-centered play therapy process, this book is designed to support parent engagement, improve buy-in, and reduce attrition throughout the therapeutic journey. As a listener of the Play Therapy Podcast, you can order a copy for just $8 (our cost plus shipping).

Click here to order your author-priced copy. ** Limit 1 per therapist, offer valid in the Continental U.S. only.

Order copies for your practice and save with discounted bulk pricing. Bulk ordering makes it easy to place Parent Companion for Play Therapy directly into the hands of the parents you serve.

PlayTherapyNow.com is my HUB for everything I do! playtherapynow.com. Sign up for my email newsletter, stay ahead with the latest CCPT CEU courses, personalized coaching opportunities and other opportunities you need to thrive in your CCPT practice. If you click one link in these show notes, this is the one to click!

Topical Playlists! All of the podcasts are now grouped into topical playlists on YouTube. Please go to https://www.youtube.com/kidcounselorbrenna/playlists to view them.

If you would like to ask me questions directly, check out www.ccptcollective.com, where I host two weekly Zoom calls filled with advanced CCPT case studies and session reviews, as well as member Q&A. You can take advantage of the two-week free trial to see if the CCPT Collective is right for you.

Ask Me Questions: Call ‪(813) 812-5525‬, or email: brenna@thekidcounselor.com Brenna's CCPT Hub: https://www.playtherapynow.com CCPT Collective (online community exclusively for CCPTs): https://www.ccptcollective.com Podcast HQ: https://www.playtherapypodcast.com APT Approved Play Therapy CE courses: https://childcenteredtraining.com Facebook: https://facebook.com/playtherapypodcast

Common References: Cochran, N., Nordling, W., & Cochran, J. (2010). Child-Centered Play Therapy (1st ed.). Wiley. VanFleet, R., Sywulak, A. E., & Sniscak, C. C. (2010). Child-centered play therapy. Guilford Press. Landreth, G.L. (2023). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship (4th ed.). Routledge. Landreth, G.L., & Bratton, S.C. (2019). Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT): An Evidence-Based 10-Session Filial Therapy Model (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315537948 Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.