Our play therapy relationship opened up a new world for Jayden, one in which he was able to be fully present and seen. He was accustomed to a chaotic inner world, and leaving a secure, stable and structured         mode (Lunkenheimer et al., 2019). The therapeutic relationship with Jayden and his mom was not only impactful on them, it also re-wired my own brain. My experience with Jayden was illustrated in a quote from Dr. Siegel about “coming in with a body” (2018, 1:51). Dr. Siegel’s words left an imprint on my clinical practice and will forever serve as a reminder that everyone walks in with a body, a vessel containing genetics, feelings, memories, unique experiences and a story waiting to be told.


References Empathy & Compassion in Society. (2015, March 6). Interpersonal neurobiology: Why compassion is necessary for humanity [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWE0VAzpxxg Kestly, T. A. (2014). The interpersonal neurobiology of


play: Brain-


building interventions for emotional well-being. WW Norton & Company.


Lunkenheimer, E., Busuito, A., Brown, K. M., Panlilio, C., & Skowron, E. A. (2019). The interpersonal neurobiology of child maltreatment: Parasympathetic substrates of interactive repair in maltreating and     (4), 353– 363. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077559518824058


    Right brain psychotherapy (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology). WW Norton & Company.


The whole-brain child. Random House.    The power of showing up: How parental presence shapes who our kids become and how their brains get wired. Ballantine Books.


Siegel, D. J. (2021). Interpersonal neurobiology from the inside out. In D. J. Siegel, A. Schore, & L. Cozolino (Eds.), Interpersonal neurobiology and clinical practice (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology) (p.1-26). W. W. Norton & Company. Kindle Edition.


       International Journal of Play Therapy, 25


  The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma.


ABOUT THE AUTHOR Karli Coverdale, LMHC/LPC, RPT, IMH-E (II)® ,


BCBA, works in a private practice on Eastern Long Island, NY where she practices play therapy. Much of her clinical work focuses on young children and/or adults healing from trauma. Additionally, Karli works to improve challenging behaviors of client’s, to best help improve self-esteem, increase emotional state and maintain meaningful relationships. Karli@aboutbuildingconnections.com


www.a4pt.org | June 2022 | PLAYTHERAPY | 35


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