27.Effective Environments for Care in Therapy, Parenting, and Churches with Eric Gott, LPC
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Overview
Eric Gott began working with kids who hold difficult narratives as a play therapist in Nashville, Tennessee. He then became a foster dad, and after 3.5 years of courtroom appointments, he and his wife, Leah, became the legal parents of four young children. Eric now serves as a Children’s Minister in Birmingham, Alabama, where he has brought trauma-infused thought to the way the church creates inclusive spaces for kids who may need help regulating emotions and behaviors. And, you’ll hear him admit that their new sensory room is a huge hit for adults who may need a change of scenery, too.
In this episode, you’ll hear how one therapist’s philosophies of best practice were challenged when his home also needed to become a therapeutic environment, and how the ways his commitment to his children has been infused into the ways he perceives holistic care for vulnerable kids. Whether you are a therapist, a parent, a church member, or simply a curious listener, you are SURE to take tangible wisdom from this conversation.
“When I was a counselor, I would always tell parents, ‘I’m going to fire myself first before you are going to fire me.’ I think a good therapist will see the behaviors before them are not something they can tackle. Ethically, we are trained to refer out when something is beyond our scope of practice.”
“A playful brain is an engaged brain and is a regulated brain.”
“Having water, having snacks, having gum…all of those are little things that make a huge difference for someone needing a sensory shift.”
Episode Highlights
2:20 - Guest Introduction for Eric and his professional journey
4:15 - How to find the right therapist for your family
6:10 - Therapists choose a specialty or theory that leads their practice
8:30 - A deeper conversation of play therapy and Lauren’s experience with Eric’s sandbox
13:19 - Age ranges for certain types of therapeutic modalities
15:00 - Attachment-based play and developmental trauma vs. DSM diagnoses
18:47 - Practicing “Delight” in our kids, even in the midst of chaos
23:39 - Treating our children as their emotional age rather than their biological age
32:58 - Where American churches should grow in meeting the needs of kids
40:36 - Communicating your needs to your community
Links
Kindred Exchange - Become a monthly donor to support this show and our mission
Emmaus House - Learn more about their work with orphaned youth in Haiti
“The Explosive Child” by Ross Greene, PhD
“The Connected Child” by Karyn Purvis, PhD, et al.
“You Should be Grateful” by Angela Tucker
“What White Parents Should Know about Transracial Adoption” by Melissa Guida-Richards
Connect with Lauren
