In this heartfelt episode, Kylie explores one of the core truths of child-centred play therapy: all behaviour is communication.

When children can’t put their experiences into words, they show us through play, through dysregulation, through control, chaos, withdrawal, and even aggression. But what if those behaviours aren’t problems to fix - but stories to hear?

Kylie unpacks how behaviour reflects the nervous system, attachment experiences, and unmet needs, and why play therapists must look beyond compliance to meaning-making. She reflects on the power of transference and countertransference, the importance of therapeutic limits, and the courage it takes to sit in the uncomfortable rather than rush to “fix.”

This episode is a reminder that when we silence behaviour, we silence the story and that child-centred play therapy is an act of advocacy, resistance, and deep attunement.

For play therapists holding big stories in the playroom: your work matters.

This week on The Play Therapy Circle, Kylie Ellison tackles a common (and often frustrating) misunderstanding: “Isn’t it just play?”. Kylie opens a timely conversation for play therapists, parents, carers, and professionals about how children communicate through play, especially when trauma, attachment conflicts, fear, or loyalty binds make verbal disclosure unlikely.

Kylie explains why trauma isn’t stored in neat narratives for children, how the brain’s language systems can shut down under threat, and why silence is not the same as safety, it can be survival. She then outlines key indicators often seen in trauma-driven play: repetitive and driven themes, rigid “stuck” storylines, high emotional intensity, developmentally atypical content (power, control, secrecy, punishment, rescuing), and a lack of resolution over time. Importantly, she emphasises ethical practice: play therapists don’t diagnose from a single play sequence, and concerns should be formed holistically, documented carefully, and supported through clinical supervision and appropriate reporting pathways.

If you need language to translate play-based clinical observations into stakeholder conversations, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Kylie reflects on what she’s witnessing in clinical practice right now, a significant rise in anxiety presentations among young children, particularly in the 4–6-year-old age group.

Building on previous conversations about the post-COVID landscape, Kylie explores what she describes as an “anxiety epidemic” in early childhood and unpacks how this is showing up in play therapy rooms across Australia. From increased emotional dysregulation to heightened separation anxiety and nervous system overwhelm, this episode examines the broader community context impacting children and families.

Kylie also shares insights into how child-centred play therapy (CCPT) uniquely supports anxious children, not by managing symptoms alone, but by strengthening emotional safety, regulation, and a child’s internal sense of competence and self-trust. She reflects on the responsibility and privilege of holding therapeutic space during seasons of collective stress, and the importance of maintaining empathy, unconditional positive regard, and strong clinical boundaries as demand increases.

With growing referrals and stretched services, this episode is both a professional check-in and an encouragement to fellow practitioners: how do we sustain ourselves while continuing to show up for children in meaningful ways?

If you’re a play therapist, early childhood professional, or someone supporting young children navigating anxiety, this episode offers thoughtful reflection, validation, and practical perspective from the field.

In this episode of The Play Therapy Circle, Kylie reflects on a milestone week - celebrating 10 years of child-centred play therapy practice - and shares exciting news about the first Play Therapy Circle Child-Centred Play Therapy Conference coming to Brisbane.

Kylie then dives into a question many parents (and beginning play therapists) wrestle with: Why doesn’t my child talk in therapy? Drawing on clinical experience, attachment theory, and the stages of child-centred play therapy, she unpacks why play is children’s natural language, and why talk-based approaches can miss the mark developmentally.

This episode offers reassurance, practical language, and confidence-building insights for play therapists supporting concerned parents, as well as a compassionate reframing for caregivers learning to trust the process. At its core, this conversation is about relationships, regulation, and remembering a powerful truth: children don’t need to talk about their problems to heal, sometimes, play says it all.

This episode is a reflective, personal milestone celebration: Kylie marks 10 years of private practice in child-centered play therapy (with a shout-out to her team, Eva and Shaz) and shares her professional journey from studying psychology, working in child protection and NGOs, to contracting work, before discovering play therapy training in 2015 and “falling in love” with the approach.

She speaks honestly about early doubts and learning moments (including feeling overwhelmed in training), and how the work has evolved over the years—expanding her practice, later downsizing to realign with health, family, and what feels most meaningful, and leaning into supervision, training, conferences, and the podcast as ways to “share CCPT beyond the playroom.”

The key message is encouragement: growth isn’t linear, you don’t need it all figured out, and if you’re feeling unsure or stuck, there’s hope, keep listening to what aligns, trust the process, and celebrate your progress. She closes by inviting listeners to join a live celebration on February 2, 2026 (1pm Queensland time) with cake, balloons, and announcements.

What is Child-Centered Play Therapy and how can it help your child? In this episode, Kylie Ellison breaks down CCPT in a clear, parent-friendly way, addressing common questions like “Is it just play?”, “Will my child learn skills?”, and “How will I know it’s working?” Kylie explains how children communicate through play, why relationship comes first, and how a safe, consistent play space helps children build emotional regulation, confidence, and self-trust over time. A helpful listen for parents considering play therapy and therapists wanting language to explain CCPT.

In this episode, Kylie Ellison reflects on the real challenges of staying true to Child-Centred Play Therapy when doubt, silence, and pressure creep in. Drawing on her own practice and recent teaching, she explores why CCPT is more than a technique, it’s a way of being. Kylie normalises imposter syndrome, unpacks the urge to revert to talk-based approaches, and reminds us that the therapeutic relationship is the intervention. She also speaks to the courage it takes to sit with uncertainty, trust the child’s process, and remain grounded in the core principles of CCPT, even when it feels uncomfortable. A grounding, compassionate episode for play therapists at every stage of their journey.

Welcome back to 2026! This episode offers a calm, grounded transition back into the playroom for 2026. We explore the “fresh start” myth, the pressure to return energised, confident, and immediately ‘on’, and why many of us actually come back needing time to recalibrate. This is a reminder that doubt after a break is often state-based, not a reflection of your skills. We’ll focus on what’s enough in the first week back: a regulated nervous system, a consistent presence, and a willingness to follow the child. We also discuss what you might see from children after a break (unchanged, moving forward, or regressing) and how CCPT’s core conditions, empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard support reconnection. Expect practical anchors (tracking, reflecting feelings, and using silence intentionally), a gentle invitation to choose your word for 2026, and a reminder that the relationship remembers itself. Follow along on socials and send through topic requests for upcoming episodes.