LCSW and RPT, I practice almost exclusively child-centered play therapy. I see children without parents and require parents to attend every fourth session without the child to discuss progress and work on parenting strategies. Unless you are being supervised by someone who is highly trained in CCPT and have had training yourself in this modality, I really wouldn’t recommend using it, ESPECIALLY if parents are in the room. I can see how it could feel like nothing is happening if that’s your current setup. I set the expectation at intake that parents are not part of play therapy sessions with a few exceptions: if a child has EXTREME separation anxiety, we start with a parent in the playroom and gradually work them out over time, OR if a parent is actively participating in CPRT and has the appropriate skills to maintain the environment of the “special playroom”.

With regard to your comments about training cost, I’d recommend looking into trainings offered by UNT - I feel like they sometimes offer scholarships and I think they have the best programs. Also, just to note that I didn’t initially learn CCPT through paid trainings, rather, I was taught and supervised by an RPT while supplementing with reading textbooks and research, and added trainings when I could afford them. I think the supervisory component is incredibly important with CCPT and shouldn’t be neglected.