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Virtual play therapy isn’t the future anymore… it’s already here.

But let’s be real for a second—

Most platforms weren’t built for play therapists.

They weren’t designed to engage children using play therapeutically.
For expressive play.
For the kind of symbolic, relational work you do every single day.

So what happens when a platform is built with play therapists in mind?

That’s exactly what we’re diving into in this special podcast episode with Brendan Herjavec, Chief Innovation Officer at PlaySpace.

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking…

→ How do I actually DO play therapy virtually?
→ How do I stay engaging and effective through a screen?
→ Is there a better way than trying to make traditional telehealth platforms “work”?

…this conversation is for you.

Because here’s the truth:
Virtual play therapy isn’t going away.

And when done well—it can be powerful, connected, and deeply therapeutic.

✨ In this episode, we’ll explore:
✓ What PlaySpace is and how it was designed specifically for play therapists
✓ How a virtual play therapy platform can support symbolic play, creativity, and engagement
✓ The biggest challenges play therapists face when working virtually—and how to overcome them
✓ How to maintain connection, attunement, and safety in an online playroom
✓ Why using the right tools can change how effective your sessions feel

We’re not just talking about “making do” with virtual therapy.

We’re talking about creating a playroom… just in a different dimension.

🎯 Whether you’re already doing virtual play therapy—or still unsure how it could even work—
this episode will give you a new lens (and maybe a little hope) for what’s possible.

Because the question isn’t if play therapy can happen online.

It’s how to do it in a way that actually works.

Connect with Brendan Herjave on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/brendanherjavec

Join my free Facebook Community Play and Expressive Arts Therapy Playground.

Check out my free resources for mental health professionals working with children, adolescents, and families who want to integrate play therapy and expressive arts into their clinical work.

I work with individuals and agencies to develop successful strategies and meet the treatment needs of your child and adolescent clients and their families using play therapy & expressive arts.

Contact me to schedule a free 30-minute video call if you're ready to level up your skills

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How do you identify themes in sand tray therapy sessions?

One of the most important skills for play therapists is learning how to recognize themes in play therapy, especially when working with sand tray therapy.

Themes reveal the deeper emotional experiences children are trying to process through symbolic play.

In this week’s free weekly podcast episode, you’ll learn how to identify themes in sand tray therapy sessions and what to look for when a child creates a sand tray scene.

We’ll explore:

• What a theme in play therapy actually is and how to identify them
• How symbols in the sand tray communicate meaning
• What to notice about placement of miniatures (buried, elevated, outside the tray, or stacked)
• How use of space and proximity between symbols can reveal relational dynamics
• Why what a child says—and doesn’t say—during the play therapy session matters
• How your theoretical play therapy model influences how you understand themes

You’ll also learn the important theoretical distinctions between sandplay therapy and sand tray therapy.

Understanding themes in play therapy helps play therapists move beyond simply observing play to developing a clinical lens for case conceptualization and therapeutic intervention.

If you’re a play therapist who has ever wondered: "What does this sand tray scene mean?"

That’s exactly what we’re discussing during this week’s free podcast episode that will help you begin recognizing the patterns and themes that emerge in symbolic play.

Resources for Play Therapists

If you're looking to deepen your play therapy skills, explore training opportunities, consultation, and community support:

🌿 Play therapy and sand tray therapy trainings
🌿Play Therapy Academy for strategic play therpay skill building
🌿Play Therapy Elevation CIRCLE community for support and feedback
🌿 Resources for working with children and adolescents

Visit:
https://rhplaytherapytraining.com

Join my free Facebook Community Play and Expressive Arts Therapy Playground.

Check out my free resources for mental health professionals working with children, adolescents, and families who want to integrate play therapy and expressive arts into their clinical work.

I work with individuals and agencies to develop successful strategies and meet the treatment needs of your child and adolescent clients and their families using play therapy & expressive arts.

Contact me to schedule a free 30-minute video call if you're ready to level up your skills

Send us Fan Mail

You can have the most beautiful playroom… the best toys… even strong rapport…

But if you’re not assessing what’s actually happening beneath the play, you might be missing the very thing your client needs most.

In this episode of Next Level Play Therapy, we’re breaking down one of the most overlooked (and misunderstood) skills in play therapy: assessment—and why it directly impacts your case conceptualization, treatment planning, and outcomes.

If you’ve ever wondered:
→ “How do I know if play therapy is actually working?”
→ “What are kids really communicating through their play?”
→ “Do I need formal assessment tools to be effective?”

This conversation will shift how you see your role as a play therapist—moving you from guessing… to grounded clinical clarity.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN:

✔ The difference between formal vs. informal assessment in play therapy—and when each matters
✔ Why assessment isn’t a one-time event (and how it evolves across the entire treatment process)
✔ How your theoretical model shapes what you notice—and what you might be missing
✔ The connection between assessment → case conceptualization → treatment decisions
✔ How to identify the root causes behind behaviors like tantrums, emotional dysregulation, and oppositional patterns
✔ When to refer for standardized assessments (and why missing this step can stall progress)

WHY THIS MATTERS:

Without clear assessment, play therapy can easily become a collection of play therapy activities instead of a targeted, theory-driven process.

Because here’s the truth…

Two children can present with the exact same behavior—
…but have completely different underlying needs.

And if you’re treating the behavior instead of the root?

You’ll feel stuck.
Your clients will plateau.
And that quiet voice of self-doubt starts creeping in.

Assessment is what turns you into a clinical detective—helping you understand not just what is happening… but why.

🌱 READY TO GO DEEPER?

If you’re ready to stop second-guessing and start practicing with confidence, check out my course:

👉 Getting Grounded in Play Therapy Case Conceptualization
Learn the core skills every play therapist needs to build a strong clinical framework and create meaningful, lasting change.

🔗 Explore here: https://www.rhplaytherapytraining.com/courses/case-conceptualization

👉 Want support from a community of like-minded play therapists? I have two types of memberships depending on your needs. Here’s the link for more information about Play Therapy Academy and Play Therapy Elevation CIRCLE: https://www.rhplaytherapytraining.com/supervision

Join my free Facebook Community Play and Expressive Arts Therapy Playground.

Check out my free resources for mental health professionals working with children, adolescents, and families who want to integrate play therapy and expressive arts into their clinical work.

I work with individuals and agencies to develop successful strategies and meet the treatment needs of your child and adolescent clients and their families using play therapy & expressive arts.

Contact me to schedule a free 30-minute video call if you're ready to level up your skills