348 | When Families Stop Coming: Understanding Attrition in CCPT

In this episode, I respond to Sally's question about attendance and attrition in Child-Centered Play Therapy. Many therapists are noticing families stop coming around the fifth or sixth session, and I explain why this usually reflects a breakdown in articulation. When parents don't fully understand what's happening in CCPT, they lose confidence, make excuses, or believe they've seen enough progress and can stop. Our job is to communicate clearly, build trust, and ensure parents are genuinely bought into the process.

I also clarify other key practice points: parent consultations should never replace a child's session. Playrooms should be reset for every child with toys visible, accessible, and inviting. Rather than expecting parents to commit to 30–40 sessions upfront, it's better to structure treatment in rounds of five sessions with re-evaluation at each parent consultation. Finally, I address misconceptions about progress timelines and emphasize that strong parent relationships are just as vital as our therapeutic relationships with children.

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Common References:
Cochran, N., Nordling, W., & Cochran, J. (2010). Child-Centered Play Therapy (1st ed.). Wiley.
VanFleet, R., Sywulak, A. E., & Sniscak, C. C. (2010). Child-centered play therapy. Guilford Press.
Landreth, G.L. (2023). Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship (4th ed.). Routledge.
Landreth, G.L., & Bratton, S.C. (2019). Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT): An Evidence-Based 10-Session Filial Therapy Model (2nd ed.). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315537948
Benedict, Helen. Themes in Play Therapy. Used with permission to Heartland Play Therapy Institute.