How important is it to play with your children? Can children learn to manage their anger and self-regulation? What can you do to make sure that you meet your children’s core emotional needs?
In this podcast episode, Billy and Brandy Eldridge speak to Brent Sweitzer about play therapy, parenting and how you can connect with you children and meet their emotional needs.
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Meet Brent Sweitzer
Brent Sweitzer, LPC, RPT specializes in helping distant couples reconnect and in helping children kids manage losses and challenges using play therapy. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist, which means he has received special training and supervision in using the medium of play to work with children of all ages.
He is also extensively trained in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy, a well-researched approach that helps couples overcome longstanding conflicts in order to feel closer and communicate better. He runs his own private practice, Sweitzer Counseling that serves the communities of Cumming, Johns Creek, Alpharetta, and the surrounding communities in Atlanta, GA. He is married and has two young children of his own. When he’s not connecting with clients or his family, he’s often exploring the great outdoors or strumming his guitar.
Visit his website and connect on Facebook. Sign up here to be notified when his podcast launches.
In This Podcast
Summary
- From marketing to therapy
- Receiving compliments
- A 30-second burst of attention
- Playing with your kids
From marketing to therapy
I just felt this tug that said maybe I need to do this for other people. Maybe this is what I am made for.
After working in the television industry for a number of years, Brent found himself to be very discontent. At this time he was doing a lot of his own counseling to help heal from wounding and things with his upbringing. And as a client he found himself resonating with the work. The field resonated with him and he got so much help from it that he found himself thinking that he would like to do this for other people.
Receiving compliments
In his own therapy experience, Brent experienced a way his own therapist would acknowledge a compliment. Since then he privately started practicing this by rubbing his hand over his heart when receiving a compliment as a way of validating a gift that was given to him through a compliment or word of encouragement.
A 30-second burst of attention
As parents, when we get interrupted by our children we often tend to say ‘not right now’. This can unintentionally send a message to your child that what you’re doing is more important than they are. A way to acknowledge your child’s presence or meet their needs in the moment is by giving them a 30-second burst of attention by getting down on to their level and listening to what they have to share.
Playing with your kids
Play is a child’s world and a child’s language.
When playing with your children, a very important thing to do is to let them lead.
- Make sure that you are communicating the fact that you are present and not being distracted by your phone.
- Communicate what you see them doing and that you understand them.
- Acknowledge their feelings if you can see they are mad, frustrated, or happy.
Children come into the world being a dependent. When we make ourselves available to be with children in their way of expressing themselves via play, and we make ourselves emotionally accessible in the sense of entering their world of imagination and play and the feelings that go along with that, then they feel safe. When they feel emotionally safe and connected to their parents, that meets a core survival need.
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Meet Billy Eldridge
Meet Billy, the resident beta male. For Billy, this is a place to hang out with other beta males and the people who love them. We’re redefining what beta males look like in the world. I have learned to embrace my best beta self, and I can help you to do the same. As a therapist, I understand the need to belong. You belong here. Join the REVOLUTION.
Meet Brandy Eldridge
Hello, Beta friends. I am an alpha personality who is embracing the beta way of life. I feel alive when connected with people, whether that is listening to their stories or learning about their passions. Forget small talk, let’s go deep together. Come to the table and let’s have some life-changing conversations.
Thanks for listening!
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Beta Male Revolution is part of the Practice of the Practice Podcast Network, a network of podcasts seeking to help you thrive, imperfectly. To hear other podcasts like the Bomb Mom Podcast, Imperfect Thriving, or Empowered and Unapologetic, go to practiceofthepractice.com/network.-
The post Play Therapy and Parenting with Brent Sweitzer | Episode 8 appeared first on Brandy Eldridge.