Pondering Play and Therapy Podcast
In a world where play can be seen as frivolous or unnecessary, Julie and Philippa set out to explore its importance in our everyday lives.
Pondering play and therapy, both separately but also the inter-connectedness that play can in its own right be the very therapy we need.
Julie and Philippa have many years of experience playing, both in their extensive professional careers and their personal lives. They will share, ponder, and discuss their experiences along the way in the hope that this might invite others to join in playfulness.
Episodes
72 episodes
EP72 Beyond Words: The Role of Metaphor in Healing Trauma; A conversation with Tim Woodhouse
Julie interviews Tim Woodhouse of Tiptoes Child Therapy Services in northwest England, a multidisciplinary practice founded in 2010, named after Janusz Korczak’s quote about “standing on tiptoes” to reach children’s feelings. They discuss worki...
EP71 Empowering Futures: Playful Sustainability Education; An interview with Louise Robertson
Philippa hosts an episode of Pondering Play and Therapy with guest Louise Robertson, founder of The Sustainables Academy (nominated for the Earthshot Prize in 2025) and a lecturer at Aberdeen University, formerly a teacher and head teacher. Lou...
EP70 Play Interruptions Explored: From Parenting to the Therapy Room, and the Moments in Between.
Philippa and Julie explore how interruptions shape children’s play and emotional wellbeing, from everyday endings like mealtimes, bedtimes and school bells to more harmful breaks when adults are distracted, unwell, or inconsistent. They discuss...
EP69 Understanding Attachment: Tools for Families and Therapists; A Conversation with Viv Norris
Julie welcomes Viv Norris, founder and CEO of the Family Place on the Welsh borders, supporting adoptive and other families across Wales and parts of England, and co-founder of Theraplay UK. Viv traces her path from intense residential therapeu...
EP68 Post-COVID Childhood Anxiety, Insights for Parents and Therapist; A Conversation with Mandy Jones-Fischer
In this episode of Pondering Play and Therapy, host Philippa welcomes back Chicago-based child therapist Mandy Jones to discuss how COVID continues to affect children and families five to six years on. Mandy shares what she’s seeing in her prac...
EP67 Sarah Naish on Fostering, Therapeutic Parenting and More.
Philippa welcomes Sarah Naish, bestselling author of The A–Z of Therapeutic Parenting, adopter of five siblings, foster carer, agency founder and keynote speaker. Sarah explains how the book grew from real-life notes and emails into a practical...
EP66 Pondering Play and Mess with Ellen Dempsey
In this episode of Pondering Play and Therapy, Julie speaks with newly qualified play therapist Ellen Dempsey about her Roehampton University dissertation, “Oh, What a Mess,” exploring messy play and therapeutic presence. Ellen shares how her o...
EP65 Exploring Family Ties, Childhood, Therapy and Sibling Bonds: With Philippa and Julie
Siblings, Roles, and Therapy: Connection, Conflict, and the “Pie” of AttentionPhilippa and Julie explore sibling relationships through personal experiences and clinical work, discussing how children take on roles (e.g., “good child,” el...
EP64 Bridging Childhood Trauma and Therapeutic Practices; A conversation with Sarah Dillon.
Philippa Kelly speaks with Sarah Dillon, consultant psychotherapist and head of therapeutic services for True Fostering and Safer Fostering, about how her own childhood in and out of foster care shapes her child-centered, trauma-informed work. ...
EP 63 Inside Sheffield Children's Hospital; Play, Therapy and Healing; A conversation with Joanna Blundell Jones
Julie welcomes clinical psychologist and Theraplay practitioner Joanna Blundell Jones, who works at Sheffield Children’s Hospital in paediatric oncology/haematology and supports patients across their cancer experiences, often especially during ...
EP62 When Adults Push Back - Therapy Resistances;
Philippa and Julie continue their conversation on resistance, focusing on the adults around a child—parents, carers, and professionals—and how “putting the brakes on” can be protective, necessary, or linked to safeguarding concerns like hidden ...
EP61 Magic, Mindfulness and Mimes. Transformative play with Marneta Viegas
Philippa interviews Marneta Viegas, founder of Relax Kids, which began 25 years ago as the UK’s first company offering children’s relaxation and mental health tools. Marneta shares her performing arts background, years as a children’s entertain...
EP60 Understanding Resistance - A Deep Dive into Child and Therapist Dynamics
Philippa and Julie introduce the first episode in a two-part series on resistance, focusing here on children and young people in therapy (with a follow-up episode planned on resistance from parents, carers, and other professionals). Drawing on ...
EP59 Exploring Therapeutic Life Story Work with Katie Wrench
In this episode of Pondering Play and Therapy, Philippa talks with Katie Wrench, a social worker, psychotherapist, head of service at BUSS, and an author. Katie discusses therapeutic life story work, explaining its importance for children who h...
EP58 Exploring the Journey to becoming a Clinical Psychologist. A conversation with Oliver
In this episode of 'Pondering Play and Therapy,' host Philippa welcomes Oliver, a trainee clinical psychologist. They discuss the extensive and multifaceted training path for clinical psychologists in the UK, which includes clinical placements,...
EP57 Healing Journeys; In Conversation with Kim Golding
In this episode of Pondering Play and Therapy, host Philippa interviews Kim Golding, CBE, a clinical psychologist, author, and expert in dyadic developmental psychotherapy (DDP) with over 30 years of experience. Kim shares her unconventional jo...
EP56 Towards a Play-Based Future - Eugene Minogue's Journey with Play England
The State of Play in England: A Deep Dive with Eugene Minogue, Executive Director of Play EnglandWelcome to this week's episode of Pondering Play and Therapy with Philippa and special guest Eugene Minogue, the executive director of Play...
EP55 The Essence of Play - Nurturing Development in Children
In this episode of 'Pondering Play and Therapy,' Philippa and Julie explore the concept of 'just playing' in therapeutic contexts. They discuss the fine line between play and therapy, sharing personal anecdotes and insights on how play can serv...
EP54 The Heart of Justice - Child First Approach. A conversation with Ruth Hayles
In this episode of 'Pondering Play and Therapy,' Philippa interviews Ruth Hayles, service lead for Contextual Safeguarding and Youth Justice, about her 18-year career working across children's services. Ruth shares insights on her journey, high...
EP53 Behind the Quiet Child - Play Therapy for Young Carers; An Interview with Frankie
In this episode of 'Pondering Play and Therapy,' host Julie interviews Frankie, a recent graduate with a master's degree in play therapy from Roehampton University. They discuss Frankie's research on play therapy for young carers—children under...
The Therapeutic Treasure Box: Insights from Dr. Karen Treisman
Understanding Trauma in Children: Insights from Dr. Karen Treisman | Pondering Play and TherapyWelcome to this week's episode of Pondering Play and Therapy with Philippa, featuring Dr. Karen Treisman, a clinical psychologist, author, an...
EP51 - Stories of self-doubt and Imposter Syndrome; Julie interviews Philippa
In this episode of 'Pondering Play and Therapy,' Julie interviews Philippa Kelly about her career journey in play therapy with children and families. Kelly reflects on her year-long co-hosting experience, her struggles with self-doubt, and how ...
EP50 One year and 50 Episodes - Lessons Learned
In the milestone 50th episode of 'Pondering Play and Therapy,' Philippa and Julie reflect on their podcast journey over the past year. They discuss how the podcast has influenced their professional practices, thoughts about play and therapy, an...
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EP 49 Exploring the Role of Play in Northern Ireland: A conversation with Alan Herron
In this episode of Pondering Play and Therapy, Julie hosts Alan Herron, CEO of Play Board Northern Ireland. They discuss the organisation’s 40-year history, founded during the troubles of the mid-1980s in Northern Ireland, to offer children saf...
EP 48 The Power of the Theatre: A Conversation with Sara Amanda
In this episode of Pondering Play and Therapy, Philippa interviews Sarah Amanda, a relationship manager for the Arts Council England and a playwright, director, and dramaturg. They discuss the role of a dramaturg in shaping and supporting scrip...