Session Savvy: Avoiding Value-Laden Words in Child-Centered Play Therapy

Play Therapy Podcast

In this Session Savvy episode of the Play Therapy Podcast, I explore the subtle but significant impact of using value-laden words in child-centered play therapy (CCPT). While many therapists avoid praise statements, there are still value judgments that can slip into our language in the playroom, such as saying "the right place" or "that looks good." These phrases, while well-intentioned, place evaluation on the child’s choices and may disrupt the neutrality essential to CCPT. I discuss the importance of keeping our language neutral, allowing the child to feel fully in charge of their play and decisions.

I offer alternatives to these common phrases, providing specific examples of how to reframe statements to ensure that the child remains the central focus without feeling judged. For instance, instead of saying, "You wanted the perfect spot," try saying, "You had a specific spot in mind." This shift helps preserve the therapeutic relationship and ensures that the child knows their choices are what matter most, without any implied judgment from the therapist.

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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. Bratton, S. C., Landreth, G. L., Kellam, T., & Blackard, S. R. (2006). Child parent relationship therapy (CPRT) treatment manual: A 10-session filial therapy model for training parents. Routledge/Taylor & Francis Group. Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.