A child’s refusal to speak inside the playroom can leave even the most seasoned therapist flustered. But connecting with clients involves much more than words. Silence can be golden when you know what it means and how to harness it.
:58 Lisa provides an overview of the Lessons from the Playroom series
2:35 A child who won’t talk isn’t uncommon
2:59 Silence can create self-doubt on behalf of the therapist
3:46 When a child acts like you’re not there, what are they trying to tell you?
3:58 There are many reasons for silence
4:30 How is silence an opportunity?
5:08 The Setup or the Offering
5:20 Interoception neurobiology
7:05 What are the signs of flooding?
9:15 How does being ignored by a child make you feel?
10:00 Activating your own ventral state
11:45 Why is knowing the child’s emotional age vital?
13:00 How important is the spoken word?
13:45 Why are attunement and body movement important?
14:08 A discussion of the Beyond Words article
15:55 How to be mindful of your movements when speaking isn’t an option
18:50 Using this experience as a chance to connect on a different level
