The path to calm, confident, and in-control parenting starts now. The Play Therapy Parenting Podcast is hosted by Dr. Brenna Hicks, The Kid Counselor®. All content, no fluff.
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Brenna Hicks Podcasts
The path to calm, confident, and in-control parenting starts now. The Play Therapy Parenting Podcast is hosted by Dr. Brenna Hicks, The Kid Counselor®.
…
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1
S3E4 - Parenting Through Co-Parenting Struggles and Sibling Fights
19:13
19:13
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19:13
In this episode, I answer a question from Barry in the UK about co-parenting struggles, sibling conflict, and feeling overwhelmed when kids fight. I share encouragement from another listener’s success story and then walk through Barry’s challenges step by step. Together, we look at how to stay calm, use reflective responses, set clear limits, and a…
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1
S3E4 - Parenting Through Co-Parenting Struggles and Sibling Fights
19:13
19:13
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19:13
In this episode, I answer a question from Barry in the UK about co-parenting struggles, sibling conflict, and feeling overwhelmed when kids fight. I share encouragement from another listener’s success story and then walk through Barry’s challenges step by step. Together, we look at how to stay calm, use reflective responses, set clear limits, and a…
…
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1
S3E3 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: How Child-Centered Play Therapy Works
15:51
15:51
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15:51
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I explain how child-centered play therapy (CCPT) actually works — and why it’s different from directive play therapy. Parents often assume all play therapy looks the same, but there are big differences. In directive approaches, the therapist sets the agenda and teaches lessons. In CCP…
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1
S3E3 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: How Child-Centered Play Therapy Works
15:51
15:51
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15:51
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I explain how child-centered play therapy (CCPT) actually works — and why it’s different from directive play therapy. Parents often assume all play therapy looks the same, but there are big differences. In directive approaches, the therapist sets the agenda and teaches lessons. In CCP…
…
continue reading
1
S3E2 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Why Play Therapy Works
11:19
11:19
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11:19
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I talk about one of the biggest questions parents ask: Why does play therapy actually work? On the surface it looks like kids are just playing, but what’s really happening is deep, hard emotional work. Play creates the safety and freedom children need to show their fears, frustrations…
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1
S3E2 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Why Play Therapy Works
11:19
11:19
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11:19
In this episode of the Parent Companion for Play Therapy series, I talk about one of the biggest questions parents ask: Why does play therapy actually work? On the surface it looks like kids are just playing, but what’s really happening is deep, hard emotional work. Play creates the safety and freedom children need to show their fears, frustrations…
…
continue reading
1
S3E1 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: New Series Intro & Adulthood Bias- Why Parents Misunderstand Their Kids
22:32
22:32
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22:32
I’m excited to kick off Season 3 of the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast! This series is called Parent Companion for Play Therapy, and it’s designed both for parents whose children are in play therapy and for any parent who wants to better understand their kids. Whether you’re navigating the therapy process or simply looking for a new perspective at …
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1
S3E1 - Parent Companion for Play Therapy: New Series Intro & Adulthood Bias- Why Parents Misunderstand Their Kids
22:32
22:32
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22:32
I’m excited to kick off Season 3 of the Play Therapy Parenting Podcast! This series is called Parent Companion for Play Therapy, and it’s designed both for parents whose children are in play therapy and for any parent who wants to better understand their kids. Whether you’re navigating the therapy process or simply looking for a new perspective at …
…
continue reading
1
S2E52 - Effectively Handling Power Struggles with Your Strong-Willed Child
15:40
15:40
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15:40
In this episode, I answer follow-up questions from a listener named Brianna about managing challenging behaviors with her 9-year-old daughter. We talk about how to handle situations where kids refuse to make choices, how to give choices effectively without creating power struggles, and how to respond when children act out as a way to regain control…
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1
S2E52 - Effectively Handling Power Struggles with Your Strong-Willed Child
15:40
15:40
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15:40
In this episode, I answer follow-up questions from a listener named Brianna about managing challenging behaviors with her 9-year-old daughter. We talk about how to handle situations where kids refuse to make choices, how to give choices effectively without creating power struggles, and how to respond when children act out as a way to regain control…
…
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1
S2E51 - Toilet Training at 9 or 10? You’re Not Alone—and There Is Hope for Older Kids
14:18
14:18
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14:18
In this episode, I respond to a listener question from a mom struggling with her nearly 10-year-old son’s ongoing toileting issues. If you’ve ever felt isolated, frustrated, or overwhelmed because your child isn’t toilet trained at an age when society says they “should be,” you are not alone. I walk through why toileting can be an anxiety-driven co…
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1
S2E51 - Toilet Training at 9 or 10? You’re Not Alone—and There Is Hope for Older Kids
14:18
14:18
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14:18
In this episode, I respond to a listener question from a mom struggling with her nearly 10-year-old son’s ongoing toileting issues. If you’ve ever felt isolated, frustrated, or overwhelmed because your child isn’t toilet trained at an age when society says they “should be,” you are not alone. I walk through why toileting can be an anxiety-driven co…
…
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1
S2E50 - Power Struggles with Kids: The Surprising Fix That Works
11:23
11:23
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11:23
In this episode, I answer a question from a mom of two daughters who is struggling with sass, sibling fights, and power struggles—especially with her 9-year-old. While it may feel like a dozen separate issues, I explain how these behaviors can often be traced back to one underlying theme: a child’s need for power and control. Once we see it through…
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1
S2E50 - Power Struggles with Kids: The Surprising Fix That Works
11:23
11:23
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11:23
In this episode, I answer a question from a mom of two daughters who is struggling with sass, sibling fights, and power struggles—especially with her 9-year-old. While it may feel like a dozen separate issues, I explain how these behaviors can often be traced back to one underlying theme: a child’s need for power and control. Once we see it through…
…
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1
S2E49 - When Siblings Clash: Rebuilding Connection Through Presence and Patience
8:52
8:52
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8:52
In this episode, I respond to a question from Jenn in Connecticut, a mom navigating ongoing conflict between her two teenage sons. Despite being in individual therapy, the boys struggle to connect, and family time has become a battleground. I explore how small, seemingly insignificant moments build over time to shape strained relationships, and I o…
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1
S2E49 - When Siblings Clash: Rebuilding Connection Through Presence and Patience
8:52
8:52
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8:52
In this episode, I respond to a question from Jenn in Connecticut, a mom navigating ongoing conflict between her two teenage sons. Despite being in individual therapy, the boys struggle to connect, and family time has become a battleground. I explore how small, seemingly insignificant moments build over time to shape strained relationships, and I o…
…
continue reading
1
S2E48 - Rethinking School for Anxious Kids: What Parents Should Know
15:52
15:52
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15:52
In this episode, I respond to a question from Caitlin, a mom navigating school refusal, anxiety, and potential learning disabilities with her 9-year-old son. I share my thoughts on how to approach school struggles from both a therapeutic and practical standpoint, including the importance of evaluations for learning disorders, the pros and cons of c…
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1
S2E48 - Rethinking School for Anxious Kids: What Parents Should Know
15:52
15:52
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15:52
In this episode, I respond to a question from Caitlin, a mom navigating school refusal, anxiety, and potential learning disabilities with her 9-year-old son. I share my thoughts on how to approach school struggles from both a therapeutic and practical standpoint, including the importance of evaluations for learning disorders, the pros and cons of c…
…
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1
S2E47 - Only Child, Big Questions: Navigating Screen Time, Co-Parenting, and Sleep
16:58
16:58
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16:58
In this episode, I answer three questions from Jillian in Colorado, all centered around real-life parenting challenges. As a fellow mom of an only child, I share what has worked for me in finding the balance between being your child’s playmate and maintaining healthy boundaries—especially when screen time starts to feel like a guilt-driven substitu…
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1
S2E47 - Only Child, Big Questions: Navigating Screen Time, Co-Parenting, and Sleep
16:58
16:58
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16:58
In this episode, I answer three questions from Jillian in Colorado, all centered around real-life parenting challenges. As a fellow mom of an only child, I share what has worked for me in finding the balance between being your child’s playmate and maintaining healthy boundaries—especially when screen time starts to feel like a guilt-driven substitu…
…
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1
S2E46 - How to Set Limits When the Behavior Comes Out of Nowhere
16:14
16:14
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16:14
In this episode, I answer a question from Kendall about how to set limits when you can’t predict a behavior in advance—like when a child suddenly lashes out at a sibling “for no reason.” I walk through how to balance proactive expectations with in-the-moment limit setting using the ACT model (Acknowledge, Communicate the limit, Target alternatives)…
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1
S2E46 - How to Set Limits When the Behavior Comes Out of Nowhere
16:14
16:14
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16:14
In this episode, I answer a question from Kendall about how to set limits when you can’t predict a behavior in advance—like when a child suddenly lashes out at a sibling “for no reason.” I walk through how to balance proactive expectations with in-the-moment limit setting using the ACT model (Acknowledge, Communicate the limit, Target alternatives)…
…
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1
S2E45 - “Stay With Me!”: Parenting Through Bedtime Battles with Confidence—Without Becoming the Crutch
17:29
17:29
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17:29
In this episode, I answer a question from a mom navigating intense bedtime struggles with her highly anxious daughter. When emotions escalate and her child feels panicked or overwhelmed, she questions whether enforcing boundaries might seem insensitive. I break down what’s really going on—how anxiety drives a need for control—and why bedtime often …
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1
S2E45 - “Stay With Me!”: Parenting Through Bedtime Battles with Confidence—Without Becoming the Crutch
17:29
17:29
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17:29
In this episode, I answer a question from a mom navigating intense bedtime struggles with her highly anxious daughter. When emotions escalate and her child feels panicked or overwhelmed, she questions whether enforcing boundaries might seem insensitive. I break down what’s really going on—how anxiety drives a need for control—and why bedtime often …
…
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1
S2E44 - Toilet Training Power Struggles: What to Say (and Not Say) to Avoid a Battle
12:14
12:14
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12:14
In this episode, I respond to a question from Hannah in England about her 3.5-year-old son who is regressing in his toilet training—especially around poop. I walk through how power struggles, control, and developmental readiness all play a role in potty setbacks. I explain how enforcement choices from the child-centered model can be used to return …
…
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1
S2E44 - Toilet Training Power Struggles: What to Say (and Not Say) to Avoid a Battle
12:14
12:14
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12:14
In this episode, I respond to a question from Hannah in England about her 3.5-year-old son who is regressing in his toilet training—especially around poop. I walk through how power struggles, control, and developmental readiness all play a role in potty setbacks. I explain how enforcement choices from the child-centered model can be used to return …
…
continue reading
1
S2E43 - My Child Hits Himself and Says He’s Bad—What Do I Do?
11:55
11:55
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11:55
In this episode, I respond to a question from Whitney about her six-year-old son’s negative self-talk and self-harming behaviors—things like calling himself “stupid” or hitting himself after making a mistake. I explain why these behaviors are often rooted in low self-esteem, anxiety, and low frustration tolerance—and why it’s not about attention or…
…
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1
S2E43 - My Child Hits Himself and Says He’s Bad—What Do I Do?
11:55
11:55
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11:55
In this episode, I respond to a question from Whitney about her six-year-old son’s negative self-talk and self-harming behaviors—things like calling himself “stupid” or hitting himself after making a mistake. I explain why these behaviors are often rooted in low self-esteem, anxiety, and low frustration tolerance—and why it’s not about attention or…
…
continue reading
1
S2E42 - Trying to Reflect Feelings but Freezing in the Moment? You’re Not Alone
15:04
15:04
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15:04
In this episode, I answer an email from Sarah, a mom whose two boys are in school-based play therapy and who is just beginning to learn about the child-centered approach. Sarah shares her excitement, questions, and challenges as she starts to apply what she’s learned—especially the difficulty of knowing what to do in the moment with strong emotions…
…
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1
S2E42 - Trying to Reflect Feelings but Freezing in the Moment? You’re Not Alone
15:04
15:04
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15:04
In this episode, I answer an email from Sarah, a mom whose two boys are in school-based play therapy and who is just beginning to learn about the child-centered approach. Sarah shares her excitement, questions, and challenges as she starts to apply what she’s learned—especially the difficulty of knowing what to do in the moment with strong emotions…
…
continue reading
1
S2E41 - When Someone Dies: What to Say to Your Child and How to Say It
14:57
14:57
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14:57
In this episode, I talk about how to have honest, age-appropriate conversations with your child when a death occurs—especially when it’s sudden and unexpected. I walk through how to talk to children in a way that gives them truth without overwhelming them, and why sparing them from information often does more harm than good. I also explain how grie…
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1
S2E41 - When Someone Dies: What to Say to Your Child and How to Say It
14:57
14:57
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14:57
In this episode, I talk about how to have honest, age-appropriate conversations with your child when a death occurs—especially when it’s sudden and unexpected. I walk through how to talk to children in a way that gives them truth without overwhelming them, and why sparing them from information often does more harm than good. I also explain how grie…
…
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1
S2E40 - When Kids Won’t Sleep Alone: Helping Anxious Children Reclaim Their Room
16:04
16:04
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16:04
In this episode, I respond to Sunny from Australia, who shares her family's ongoing bedtime struggle with her 6.5-year-old daughter—an intelligent, big-feeling child working through anxiety and night terrors. After a year of consistency that led to sleep deprivation and exhaustion, Sunny and her partner ultimately let their daughter sleep on a sepa…
…
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1
S2E40 - When Kids Won’t Sleep Alone: Helping Anxious Children Reclaim Their Room
16:04
16:04
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16:04
In this episode, I respond to Sunny from Australia, who shares her family's ongoing bedtime struggle with her 6.5-year-old daughter—an intelligent, big-feeling child working through anxiety and night terrors. After a year of consistency that led to sleep deprivation and exhaustion, Sunny and her partner ultimately let their daughter sleep on a sepa…
…
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