Episode
408 | What If the Child Isn't Finished When Time Is Up?
- Published
- Jun 24, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 1002
- 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/408-what-if-the-child-isn-t-finished-when-time-is-up/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-5451171/408-what-if-the-child-isn-t-finished-when-time-is-up.md
Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource.
Summary
In this episode, I answer a question about how to handle the end of a play therapy session when a child is deeply engaged in an activity and isn't finished when time runs out. While it's natural to want to help children find closure, complete a project, or avoid frustration, I explain why those desires can subtly shift us away from adherence to the child-centered model. CCPT requires us to trust that whatever happens at the end of a session—even disappointment, frustration, or unfinished work—is therapeutically valuable. I discuss the importance of avoiding therapist agenda, honoring the time limit, and trusting the child's process even when it feels uncomfortable. I also provide practical guidance on end-of-session transitions, including how to use five-minute and two-minute warnings effectively, how to navigate unfinished art projects and games, and how to think through limit-setting when a child refuses to stop playing after time is up. Along the way, I explore why our wording matters, how subtle language choices can reveal drift from the model, and why consistency with limits ultimately helps children learn responsibility, ownership, and self-regulation. This episode is a reminder that some of the most important therapeutic work happens in the moments when things don't go exactly the way either the therapist or the child would prefer. 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, impr…