In this final episode of Pages in Play, we explore the transformative journey from adolescence into young adulthood—and how bibliotherapy and play therapy can support young people through this complex stage.

Teenagers are navigating big questions around identity, belonging, relationships, and purpose. In this episode, we unpack how stories and play create safe, powerful spaces for self-exploration, emotional processing, and connection.

We discuss:

• Why adolescence may extend into the early 30s—and what that means for parenting and support
• How books help teens explore identity, reduce isolation, and build emotional insight
• The evolving role of play therapy for teenagers (it’s not just toys!)
• Practical ways to connect with teens, including walking “book clubs” and shared activities
• A powerful real-life case study illustrating how play therapy supports grief, anxiety, and identity formation
• Thoughtfully curated book recommendations to support teens navigating identity, relationships, and mental health

We close the series with reflections, gratitude, and ways to continue the conversation.

⏱️ Timestamps / Chapters

01:05 – Introduction & why adolescence is a key developmental stage
02:00 – Teen identity: “Who am I?” and the role of narrative
03:22 – Research on adolescence extending into the early 30s
04:30 – Brain development, hormones & emotional shifts in teens
09:53 – What play therapy looks like for teenagers
13:34 – Giving teens agency in reading choices
16:29 – Case study: Willow (from Counting by Sevens)
18:00 – Anxiety, identity, grief & transitions in adolescence
20:00 – Inside the therapy room: observation, resistance & trust-building
24:00 – The importance of endings in therapy and development
25:46 – Narrative therapy & re-authoring your story
28:20 – Staying connected: curiosity, presence & shared experiences
29:21 – Book recommendations for teens (identity, belonging, mental health)
38:52 – Final reflections on the series
40:41 – Closing thoughts & goodbye

Book Recommendations

• Are you there, God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume.
• Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan
• Every Day by David Levithan
• Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
• Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
• The Final Year & The First Year by Matt Goodfellow
• Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
• Bibliotherapy: The Healing Power of Reading by Bijal Shah
• The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

Support the show

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Find out more at Book Therapy or Play Refuge

Or email us at bijal@booktherapy.io or freya@playrefuge.co.uk