Why Collecting More Play Therapy Activities Is Keeping You Stuck
Cathi Spooner 
If you’ve ever scrolled through Pinterest, saved dozens of interventions from Instagram, or left a conference with a tote bag full of new toys, you’re not alone. Many play therapists (new and seasoned alike) collect interventions, hoping the next perfect activity will finally help their clients break through.
But here’s the hard truth: breakthroughs in play therapy rarely happen because of the activity itself. They happen because of the process underneath—and the clarity you bring as the therapist.
In this blog, we’ll explore why relying on endless interventions often leads to feeling stuck, what actually moves the needle in play therapy, and how community can help you bridge the gap between theory and practice.
The Endless Loop of Ungrounded Interventions
Play therapists often enter the field excited about the creative tools and techniques available. The challenge? Without a solid theoretical foundation, those interventions can become a grab bag rather than an intentional sequence.
You might recognize the pattern:
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Trying a new activity every session because nothing seems to “work”
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Constantly searching for fresh ideas online or at trainings
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Feeling frustrated when a beautifully planned intervention doesn’t land with the child
This “intervention loop” is exhausting—and it’s also a sign you’re relying more on activities than on understanding the process unfolding in the room.
Why It Doesn’t Work
When interventions aren’t grounded in theory, they can miss the deeper needs of the child. Play therapy isn’t about entertaining or distracting; it’s about creating space for healing, processing, and integration.
Here’s why collecting activities alone doesn’t create breakthroughs:
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No clear roadmap: Without understanding your client’s developmental and trauma history, it’s difficult to know why you’re choosing a particular tool.
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Surface-level engagement: A child may enjoy the activity, but enjoyment isn’t always synonymous with therapeutic work.
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Missed meaning: Without a lens for interpretation, you risk overlooking the symbolic communication happening in play.
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Inconsistent progress tracking: Without theory guiding your work, it’s harder to identify subtle shifts that signal healing.
Activities become powerful only when used intentionally—when they’re guided by your clinical understanding of the child’s needs and your play therapy model.
The Benefit of Community
Breaking out of this cycle isn’t just about reading another book or attending another workshop—it’s about having support as you apply what you’re learning.
A strong professional community helps you:
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Reflect on sessions and identify patterns you might miss on your own
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Learn how to anchor interventions in theory so they create meaningful change
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Gain confidence through case consultation and feedback
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Normalize the uncertainty that comes with this work (you’re not alone in wondering, “Is this actually working?”)
Community transforms isolated learning into integrated practice—helping you stop second-guessing and start seeing real progress in the playroom.
Why This Matters
Children deserve more than a rotating carousel of activities. They deserve a therapist who can hold their story, track their healing, and guide them with both creativity and clinical precision.
And you deserve to feel confident doing that—not stuck in a cycle of “trying things” and hoping for the best.
Ready to Go Deeper?
If you’re ready to move beyond collecting interventions and start building a grounded, theory-informed practice, the Play Therapy Elevation Circle (pTEC) was created for you.
pTEC combines monthly training, case consultation, and community support so you can:
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Stop second-guessing every session
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Understand what’s happening in the play—not just what’s happening with the toys
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Confidently integrate your play therapy model with the interventions you choose
Join the waitlist for pTEC today and be the first to know when enrollment opens. You’ll gain access to a community of play therapists who “get it” and can walk alongside you as you grow.
Categories: : Community, Play Therapy, Play Therapy Elevation Circle, Podcast
