Welcome to my channel! I’m Dr. Brenna Hicks, The Kid Counselor®. My mission is simple: a world full of happy kids who become happy adults.

Here, you’ll find videos for two audiences who share that goal:

Parents who want practical, proven strategies to connect with their kids, handle challenging behaviors, and build stronger relationships.

Child-Centered Play Therapists who want in-depth training, skill development, and professional growth in the playroom.

🎙 Podcasts:

Parents → Play Therapy Parenting Podcast

Play Therapists → The Play Therapy Podcast

Subscribe and join me each week as we explore how to help children thrive — at home, in the playroom, and in life.

When Kids Won’t Sleep Alone or Panic at School Drop-Off: A Parent’s Guide to Separation Anxiety
14:20
When Kids Won’t Sleep Alone or Panic at School Drop-Off: A Parent’s Guide to Separation Anxiety
What to Do When the Child Dictates the Session and Controls the Dialogue - Play Therapy
9:47
What to Do When the Child Dictates the Session and Controls the Dialogue - Play Therapy
When a Child Won’t Go Back to the Playroom: Navigating a “Lobby” Session with the Child and Parents
20:05
When a Child Won’t Go Back to the Playroom: Navigating a “Lobby” Session with the Child and Parents
Neutral Truth, Big Impact: Communicating with Children and Advocating for Them
16:52
Neutral Truth, Big Impact: Communicating with Children and Advocating for Them
Parent Companion for Play Therapy: How Symbolic & Thematic Play Show What Kids Work Through
18:31
Parent Companion for Play Therapy: How Symbolic & Thematic Play Show What Kids Work Through
Parent Companion for Play Therapy: The Four Phases of Child-Centered Play Therapy
14:27
Parent Companion for Play Therapy: The Four Phases of Child-Centered Play Therapy
Art of the Session: A Complete Framework for Confident Practice
17:05
Art of the Session: A Complete Framework for Confident Practice
Answer or Redirect? Preserving Connection Without Shifting the Focus
18:42
Answer or Redirect? Preserving Connection Without Shifting the Focus
Parent Companion for Play Therapy: What the Therapist Does in Session
17:48
Parent Companion for Play Therapy: What the Therapist Does in Session
Art of the Session: Role Play in CCPT - Staying Centered When the Child Assigns You a Role
18:25
Art of the Session: Role Play in CCPT - Staying Centered When the Child Assigns You a Role
Parenting Through Co-Parenting Struggles and Sibling Fights
19:14
Parenting Through Co-Parenting Struggles and Sibling Fights
I Hate This and I Hate You: Trust the Process When Kids Push Back in Play Therapy
17:48
I Hate This and I Hate You: Trust the Process When Kids Push Back in Play Therapy
Parent Companion for Play Therapy: How Child-Centered Play Therapy Works
15:52
Parent Companion for Play Therapy: How Child-Centered Play Therapy Works
Art of the Session: “I Wonder” and Whisper Techniques
13:58
Art of the Session: “I Wonder” and Whisper Techniques
What Parents Really Need to Hear: How to Structure and Deliver Powerful Parent Consultations
14:40
What Parents Really Need to Hear: How to Structure and Deliver Powerful Parent Consultations
Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Why Play Therapy Works
11:20
Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Why Play Therapy Works
Art of the Session: Narrative Commentary in CCPT
13:49
Art of the Session: Narrative Commentary in CCPT
When a Child “Breaks” Limits: Staying True to the CCPT Model
10:56
When a Child “Breaks” Limits: Staying True to the CCPT Model
Art of the Session: Play Session Guidelines - Labeling, Following the Metaphor, & Neutrality
14:39
Art of the Session: Play Session Guidelines - Labeling, Following the Metaphor, & Neutrality
Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Adulthood Bias- Why Parents Misunderstand Their Kids
22:33
Parent Companion for Play Therapy: Adulthood Bias- Why Parents Misunderstand Their Kids
Preparing Parents for What’s Coming: Set Expectations Early or Struggle Later
17:37
Preparing Parents for What’s Coming: Set Expectations Early or Struggle Later
S2E52 - Effectively Handling Power Struggles with Your Strong-Willed Child
15:41
S2E52 - Effectively Handling Power Struggles with Your Strong-Willed Child
Art of the Session: Encouragement and Esteem Building - Helping Kids Believe They’re Capable
19:16
Art of the Session: Encouragement and Esteem Building - Helping Kids Believe They’re Capable
The Screen-Free Play Therapy Playroom: Holding the Line in a Digital World
11:14
The Screen-Free Play Therapy Playroom: Holding the Line in a Digital World
Toilet Training at 9 or 10? You’re Not Alone—and There Is Hope for Older Kids
14:19
Toilet Training at 9 or 10? You’re Not Alone—and There Is Hope for Older Kids
Art of the Session: The ACT of Setting Limits
23:45
Art of the Session: The ACT of Setting Limits
Power Struggles with Kids: The Surprising Fix That Works
11:24
Power Struggles with Kids: The Surprising Fix That Works
From Over-Attachment to Avoidance: Making Sense of Child Responses in CCPT
11:43
From Over-Attachment to Avoidance: Making Sense of Child Responses in CCPT
Art of the Session: Empowerment Through Choice Giving
11:40
Art of the Session: Empowerment Through Choice Giving
When Siblings Clash: Rebuilding Connection Through Presence and Patience
8:53
When Siblings Clash: Rebuilding Connection Through Presence and Patience