Synergetic Play Therapy Institute

Let’s talk about what happens inside of us when we expect ourselves to be different than who we actually are.

You know those thoughts…
💭 I should be more this…
💭 I shouldn’t be like that…
💭 If I were different, life would be better…

These messages tell us that who we are, as we are, isn’t enough.

And when we believe them, we create an inner conflict—a battle between our authentic self and a fantasy version of who we think we should be.

What Happens in the Body When We Reject Ourselves

The moment we compare ourselves to this fantasy self, our nervous system registers it as a threat.

🔥 One response? Sympathetic activation (fight/flight):

Agitation, tension, anxiety
Restlessness, irritability, overworking
Pushing through, even when overwhelmed
A feeling of needing to “fix” ourselves

🧊 The other response? Dorsal vagal (collapse/immobilization):

Withdrawal, numbness, exhaustion
Self-doubt, hopelessness, depression
A sense of disconnect from ourselves
A feeling of needing to “fix” ourselves (... yes, it’s both)
Why?

Because our authentic self is fighting to be seen, to be accepted, to be enough.

What If This Is All Just Feedback?

What if instead of seeing these reactions as something bad, we recognized them as feedback?

⚡ A signal that we’re at war with ourselves.
⚡ A sign that we’ve lost connection with self-acceptance.
⚡ An invitation to return to congruence—to stop fighting who we are and start embracing it instead.

The Shift: Choosing Self-Acceptance

Next time you hear yourself say:
❌ “I should be different.”
❌ “I should know more, do more, be more.”
❌ “I’m not enough as I am.”

Pause and ask:

💡 Where is this message coming from?
💡 What would happen if I stopped fighting myself?
💡 Can I give myself permission to be exactly who I am—right now?

Because your nervous system isn’t working against you—it’s working hard to bring you back to yourself.

✨ Your job? Listen. ✨

Much love on the journey 💜

Lisa

Past participants of the Business of Therapy course are always SO excited to share their experiences with others. When you discover that it’s possible to create your business and life in a way that's true to your vision and goals, you want the rest of the world to know it too! 📣
https://synergeticplaytherapy.com/business-of-therapy/

This 2.5 day course is custom designed for therapists, coaches, helpers and healers like yourself. Learn how to navigate the complexities of turning your business idea into a thriving reality – or take your existing venture to the next level of success.

Discover key business strategies (some from other successful entrepreneurs), as instructor Lisa Dion weaves in the psychological aspects of business that are hardly talked about anywhere else.

🔎 You’ll gain invaluable insights and learn strategies to overcome feelings of overwhelm, self-doubt, and financial constraints that may be hindering your practice.

Take the next step on your business journey today! 🌟
https://synergeticplaytherapy.com/business-of-therapy/

Mark your calendar and pack your bags because we’re heading to San Antonio, Texas, from November 12–14, 2026, for this year’s Business of Therapy 2.5-day hybrid course. You can join us in person at the Westin Riverwalk or live online if you can’t make it to San Antonio.
https://synergeticplaytherapy.com/business-of-therapy/

Are you ready to step into the business you’ve been dreaming of? Or maybe you haven’t started yet, but something inside is nudging you to take the next step on your journey… trust that feeling!

Why attend THIS Business of Therapy 2.5-day course?

❇️ Unlock Your Business Potential: This course empowers you with knowledge and skills to excel in the business side of therapy. From financial management to marketing strategies, we’ll equip you with the tools you need to thrive.

❇️ Exclusive Networking: Connect with peers, share experiences, and gain valuable insights. In its 5th year, with more than half returning each year, this event fosters a supportive community for lasting connections.

❇️ Guidance: I’ve had my own ups and downs, supports, and challenges on my business journey – I’ll share how I’ve weathered (and continue to weather 😉) the storms of entrepreneurship. You’ll get the insights and tools to feel prepared when life happens.

❇️ Experiential Course: Engage in hands-on workshops (whether in person or live online) that give you confidence and know-how to implement what you've learned in your practice.

Early bird registration is open, and spots are limited. Secure your place and join us for an unforgettable experience that will transform your business and your perspective.

Click here to register and secure your early bird spot now:
https://synergeticplaytherapy.com/business-of-therapy/

✨ “This course supports forward movement in every area of your life. I walked away with a deeper understanding of the different parts of running a business, clarity around the personal barriers that were getting in my way, and a realistic, doable to-do list that actually helps me complete tasks. I left feeling confident and capable.” – Deandra Sanders

🙏💕 A breakdown of how Synergetic Play Therapy helps children and teens heal from trauma 💜

Like many trauma-focused modalities, the foundation of healing in Synergetic Play Therapy is a strong therapeutic relationship and attunement.

Trauma often leaves children feeling "stuck" in fight-or-flight due to hyper-vigilance, shutdown due to feeling overwhelmed, or fluctuating between both. Consistent co-regulation in sessions helps children integrate what was previously stuck and learn that feelings and emotional sensations aren't unsafe.

One of the most beautiful parts of therapy is seeing negative core beliefs change over time. When trauma shapes worldviews, it tells children and teens that the world is unsafe, they can't trust people, and they're either too much or not enough. Therapy changes that.

💜💜💜💜

We love when our BOA community shares resources they find helpful! ❤️ Synergetic Play Therapy Institute

A customer recently shared this article with us, “How To Use the Bop Bags in the Play Therapy Playroom,” written by Lisa Dion. We wanted to pass it along as a helpful resource for play therapists looking for creative ways to incorporate Bop Bags into their work.
Thank you for sharing this with us, and thank you to Lisa Dion for creating such a valuable resource for the play therapy community! ✨ https://synergeticplaytherapy.com/playroom-bop-bags/

We’re excited to offer our 3-day in-person Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy in Vancouver, BC for the first time on February 19–21, 2027. If you’ve been wanting to feel more confident working with intensity in the playroom, this experience is designed for exactly that.
https://synergeticplaytherapy.com/introduction-to-synergetic-play-therapy/

Aggression is often one of the most misunderstood—and feared—parts of play therapy.

In our upcoming program, you’ll learn how to work with intensity without shaming, shutting down, or burning out.

We’ll explore:
• Aggression and death play through a neuroscience lens
• Sand and art from the perspectives of nervous system regulation and attunement
• How to manage burnout that can arise from an overtaxed nervous system
• How to infuse more of your authentic self into the play therapy process.

As Jennifer Blanchard shared:
“I was looking for a model that doesn’t pathologize children. SPT is hopeful, creative, and makes sense.”

📍 Vancouver, BC | University of British Columbia – Robson Square
📅 February 19–21, 2027
🕘 9:00am–4:30pm

Learning with Lisa Dion and Helen Ritchie, who brings over 25 years of experience supporting children, families, and therapists, along with deep roots in the Vancouver community. Together, they create a space that is grounded, relational, and deeply experiential.

Vancouver offers a combination of ocean, mountains, and urban energy—a setting that naturally supports grounding and reflection and gives you space to process and integrate what you’re learning not just intellectually, but experientially.

Get all the details and join us here! Space is limited.
https://synergeticplaytherapy.com/introduction-to-synergetic-play-therapy/