Episode
406 | When an Intern Sits In: Best Practices for CCPT Observation + Live Event Announcements!
- Published
- Jun 18, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 871
- Processing state
not_requested
Actions
POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/play-therapy-podcast-a-master-class-in-child-centered-play-therapy-5451171/episodes/406-when-an-intern-sits-in-best-practices-for-ccpt-observation-live-event-announcements/transcription-requests
Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode.GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/play-therapy-podcast-a-master-class-in-child-centered-play-therapy-5451171/406-when-an-intern-sits-in-best-practices-for-ccpt-observation-live-event-announcements.md
Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource.
Summary
In this episode, I answer a question about allowing interns, supervisees, and other clinicians to observe child-centered play therapy sessions. I discuss what happened when an intern sat in on a session and unintentionally disrupted the therapeutic process by interacting with the child in a directive manner. Using this scenario as a springboard, I share what I believe are the essential best practices for introducing another person into the playroom, including obtaining permission from both the parent and the child, thoroughly preparing the observer beforehand, and debriefing after the session to help them understand what they observed and why. I also explore how the presence of an observer can impact the therapeutic relationship and the child's behavior. Children may respond differently when a new person enters the room, and it is important that the therapist maintain the alliance with the child while helping the observer understand the philosophy and techniques of CCPT. This episode provides practical guidance for therapists who are training others and serves as a reminder that successful observation experiences depend on preparation, clear expectations, and preserving the integrity of the child-centered relationship. 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. 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 or…