Full Course Description

Polyvagal and Play Therapy: Inside Out Approaches for Sensory & Somatic Regulation

Many clinicians are overwhelmed by the thought of integrating neuroscience into their work with children, and this course will demonstrate how important it is, and that it can be done in a playful, child-friendly way! Polyvagal theory, when integrated with expressive arts, body movement & play therapy, provides a unique avenue to teach children how to recognize their bodily nervous system states…and that they can change it with the help of good co-regulators teaching the way. Many educators and clinicians are at a loss in how to apply this knowledge, as it is often written in a tough-to-digest manner.This workshop will meet the needs of consumers by giving them not only application of knowledge, but also the ability to create tools in their schools or offices in a child friendly manner.

Program Information

Objectives

Demonstrate an understanding of the components of polyvagal theory as they relate to play therapy and the therapeutic powers of play.
Determine the therapeutic benefits of using creative methods, such as a brain hat, and mind & body connection log, in play therapy with children.
Evaluate the benefits of role-play with children to help them learn to identify the body and senses to help change their states in their autonomic systems.
Demonstrate the need to use movement & rhythm through the polyvagal framework and how it relates to play therapy.

Outline

Healing the Trauma Brain - Rewiring Broken Connections

Therapeutic powers of play
Diversity, equity, & inclusion within play therapy & the body
Foster emotional wellness

Polyvagal Theory & The Vagus Nerve Superhighway

Nervous system is a bi-directional communication
Always on alert for cues of safety/danger
Ms. Polly VagaleTM & Neuro-Ception of Safety - getting to know your senses

Somatic & Sensory Strategies in Play Therapy

Role Play, Rhythm & Movement
- Brain/body connection - expressive arts
- Create your own puzzle brain hat & body & brain detective tracker
- Manage somatic distress and big emotions
- Co-regulate with kids – role play/mirroring

Target Audience

Counselors

Social Workers

Marriage & Family Therapists

Psychologists

Play Therapists

School Administrators

Teachers/School-Based Personnel

Speech-Language Pathologists

Occupational Therapists

Copyright : 05/10/2023

The Role of Interoceptive Awareness in Play Therapy for Self-Regulation

Join Dr. Daniel J Siegel, world-renowned neuropsychiatrist, for this immersive presentation where he breaks down the neuroscience of interoceptive awareness – the gateway for insight, empathy, compassion, and self-regulation cultivated in play therapy.

Drawing from his social-emotional learning framework, NowMaps, Dr. Siegel shares concrete tools to teach kids in play therapy.

Program Information

Objectives

Name the two basic components of the mind as a regulatory process in the play therapy room.
Identify how neuroplasticity in play therapy enables the brain to mediate insight and empathy.
Describe the connection between interoception and regulation in play therapy.

Outline

Create space between impulse and action: Pause Button

Observe their inner experience: Focus Flashlight to SIFT for Sensations, Images,

Feelings, Thoughts

Assess their internal state of being: “OK Monitor”

Direct their attention and energy in helpful ways: NowMaps Compass

Target Audience

Counselors
Marriage & Family Therapists
Nurses
Nursing Home/Assisted Living Administrators
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapist Assistants
Psychologists
School Administrators
Social Workers
Speech-Language Pathologists
Teachers/School-Based Personnel
Addiction Professionals
Case Managers
Dieticians

Copyright : 05/10/2023

Parents as Partners in TraumaPlay™ : Growing Safe Bosses, Nurturers, and Storykeepers

Play is the digestive enzyme through which children metabolize hard things - digestion is maximized when parents are included in the process.
Many of you are comfortable working one-on-one with children but may feel overwhelmed when faced with how to embed caregivers in the treatment process. TraumaPlay™ offers tools for connecting caregivers more effectively to the play therapy process while triaging the needs of the parent alongside the needs of the child.
In this session, we’ll discover pathways for expanding caregiving capacities that include:

Playful psychoeducation
Coaching coregulation skills
Managing negative activation
Facilitating delighting-in moments
Offering reflective attachment work
Co-creating coherent family narratives

Come and learn ways to help the grown-ups in a child’s life more deeply embody the roles of Safe Boss, Nurturer, and Storykeeper.

Program Information

Objectives

Organize a series of treatment goals for parents in play therapy.
Execute five play therapy interventions aimed at enhancing attachments between parents and children.
Apply five strategies for helping parents co-create coherent narrative in play therapy.

Outline

Seven Invitations for Parent involvement

Psychoeducational Tools for Shifting Parent’s Paradigms

Games for Enhancing Attachments

Play Therapy Interventions for Co-creating Trauma Narratives with Children and Parents

Target Audience

Counselors
Marriage & Family Therapists
Nurses
Nursing Home/Assisted Living Administrators
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapist Assistants
Psychologists
School Administrators
Social Workers
Speech-Language Pathologists
Teachers/School-Based Personnel
Addiction Professionals
Case Managers
Dieticians

Copyright : 05/10/2023

LEGO®, Pop Culture, Sandtray & Expressive Arts: Tools to Increase Engagement, Flexibility & Gain Greater Emotional Awareness in Young Clients

Program Information

Objectives

Demonstrate 2-3 creative strengths-based play therapy interventions to help clients cultivate well-being.
Apply practical play therapy tools and others such as VIA Character Strengths Assessment to evaluate strengths in self and others.
Integrate the science of well-being in play therapy to improve clinical outcomes.

Outline

Harness the Power of Positive Psychology

Utilize Kids Superpowers (strengths)
- Increase engagement
- Gain greater emotional awareness
- Build resilience
Apply the Cross-Cultural Language of Strengths
- VIA Characters Strengths, to
- Increase well-being,
- Improve relationships
- Boost happiness
Integrate Strengths-Based Play Therapy Interventions
- LEGO®, video games, pop culture, sandtray, and the expressive arts

Target Audience

Licensed Clinical/Mental Health Counselors
Social Workers
Psychologists
Marriage & Family Therapists
Addiction Professionals
Case Managers
School Administrators
Teachers/School-Based Personnel

Copyright : 05/10/2023

Culturally Sensitive Approaches to Play Therapy

Program Information

Objectives

Describe the theoretical framework of Relational-Cultural Theory and its implication towards providing culturally-sensitive play therapy.
Explain multicultural and social justice competence as it relates to racial and cultural differences within therapeutic relationship of play therapy.
Identify at least 3 culturally-sensitive interventions or techniques that can be used to explore or broach culture within the play therapy relationship.

Outline

Relational-Cultural Theory

Assumptions About Culture

Culturally-Sensitive Play Therapy

Interventions to Consider

Target Audience

Addiction Professionals
Licensed Clinical/Mental Health Counselors
Marriage & Family Therapists
Psychologists
School Administrators
Social Workers
Speech-Language Pathologists
Teachers/School-Based Personnel

Copyright : 05/10/2023

Interoceptive Awareness in the Playroom: Setting the Stage for Successful Coregulation

Helping children learn how to regulate is essential in play therapy, but without first strengthening the child’s interoceptive sense, regulation may not be successful.
Without the development and strengthening of the interoceptive sense, a child may have regulation knowledge and tools but will not be able to read their own body cues to know when to use any of them.  Examples such as knowing when to use the bathroom, when to take a deep breath, when to ask for help, the ability to read non-verbal cues, knowing when emotions are feeling overwhelming all rely on interoception.  
Join Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S, international teacher, and creator of Synergetic Play Therapy in this playful workshop designed to help you learn what the interoceptive sense is and how to use play to develop interoception in their child clients to set the stage for successful regulation and co-regulation.  You'll have fun experientially exploring this fundamental part of the sensory system.

Program Information

Objectives

Describe at least 4 ways to develop the interoceptive sense in the therapist and in the child client in play therapy.  
Demonstrate the importance of the therapist strengthening their own interoceptive sense and the implications in play therapy for trauma integration.  
Describe the role interoception plays in the development of the ability to regulate and co-regulate in play therapy.

Outline

Interoceptive Sense – What it is How it Works

History of Interoception
Role of the Insula

The Basis for Regulation & Co-Regulation

Symptoms of Poorly Developed Interoceptive Sense
Understanding regulation
Implications for clinicians

Developing the Interoceptive Sense 

Range of Interoceptive Awareness
Scaffolding Interoceptive Awareness

Playful ways to Develop Interoception

Target Audience

Counselors
Marriage & Family Therapists
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Psychologists
Social Workers
Speech-Language Pathologists
Teachers/School-Based Personnel

Copyright : 05/11/2023

Nature-Based Play Therapy: A Multi-Sensory Experience to Treat Trauma & Promote Resilience in Kids

Playing in nature has inherent healing powers and provides a robust and diverse environment for every play therapy session.

In this workshop, we’ll explore ways nature’s elements such as clay, stones, flowers, and feathers can be utilized to address traumatic histories and enhance inner resilience within indoor and outdoor settings and in individual child, family, and group sessions.

Exploring nature-based play therapy with children helps to...

Increase focus and reduce stress
Enhance creativity, problem-solving and boundary setting
Exhibit more cooperativeness and self-discipline
Decrease anxiety, depression and behavior problems

Nature elements are rich in sensory experiences and this play therapy training will explore how the eight senses of sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, vestibular, proprioceptive, and interoception are stimulated through nature play.   

Nature’s toys naturally cross-cultural barriers. Practitioners will explore ethical considerations of nature in practice through nature-based informed consent. Come ready to engage in some healing Nature-Play Therapy and learn new modalities both indoors and outdoors to grow your client toolkit.

*Note, as some practitioners are now seeing clients virtually, the interventions presented will include a discussion on how they can be adapted to tele-health or in-person sessions.

Program Information

Objectives

Demonstrate two (2) ways that the therapeutic powers of play as conceptualized by Schaefer can be identified within Nature-based Play Therapy interventions.
Evaluate at least three (3) research outcome healing benefits of nature-based play therapy for children.
Evaluate at least four (4) essential components that need to be included in a nature-based play therapy client informed consent form.
Determine at least two (2) nature-based play therapy interventions that improve clinical outcomes that can be conducted either inside the playroom, virtually, or in outdoor environments as ways to utilize nature therapeutically.  
Apply at least two (2) clinical strategies of how to implement a variety of nature items (clay, stones, feathers, flowers, etc.) in play therapy practice to reframe trauma experiences, increase self-regulation, and connect to a mind-body awareness.

Outline

Nature-based Play Therapy Foundations

“Nature Deficit Disorder” & “screen time verses green time”
Strategies to deal with climate anxiety
Nature as co-regulator to reduce mood symptoms
Evaluate nature’s metaphorical powers of healing

Utilizing Nature’s Toys in Play therapy

Metaphorical practice of stones
Treatment implementation of botanicals, feathers, shells, wood, and sand
Stone case study video as it relates to case conceptualization
Demonstrate “I know my Yeses & No’s” experiential
Flower craft necklace/bracelet experiential and treatment implications

Ethical Practice Nature-based Guidelines

Create a playroom nature “toolkit”
Adapt nature-based play interventions virtually
Ethical treatment through Nature Informed Consent
Contraindications to avoid clinical drawbacks
Client limit setting in outdoor environments
Guidelines for respectful nature engagement

Target Audience

Addiction Professionals
Case Managers
Dieticians
Counselors
Marriage & Family Therapists
Nurses
Nursing Home/Assisted Living Administrators
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapist Assistants
Psychologists
School Administrators
Social Workers
Speech-Language Pathologists
Teachers/School-Based Personnel

Copyright : 05/11/2023

Play Therapy and Suicidal Ideation: Practical Tools to Reduce Stress & Anxiety in Young Clients

More of you than ever before are in the position of treating young children with suicidal ideation!

Risky behavior and death-oriented play are showing up in the play therapy room at greater rates and you may not feel equipped with the right tools.

Join Heather Fairless Denbrough, who specializes in suicidal ideation as she shares the indicators of and practical tools you need now to feel competent and confident in your ability to:

Apply play therapy themes in session to assess suicidal risk
Ask questions in developmentally appropriate way
Develop a safety plan if needed
And more!

You’ll learn practical play therapy tools to increase a child’s ability to manage their anxiety and stress in a healthy way and discover a tool Heather developed to help even very young children understand and manage stress.

The earlier kids can identify their own stress, the less likelihood of suicidal ideation. You won’t want to miss this session.

Program Information

Objectives

Apply research-based knowledge on play therapy themes in session that indicate suicidal ideation to assess child’s risk and determine need for safety planning.
Demonstrate clinical strategies in play therapy to increase parent engagement around issues of suicidal ideation and improve parents’ ability to respond to children and keep them safe at home.
Utilize a simple yet effective clinical intervention, the Visual Stress Management Chart, to increase a child’s ability in play therapy to identify and address their own stress and reduce suicidal ideation.

Outline

Warning Signs of SI Inside the Playroom & Out

The Role of the Play Therapist When SI Shows Up

Effective Strategies for Increasing Stress Management Skills in Play Therapy

The Visual Stress Management Chart Walk Through & How To

Target Audience

Counselors
Marriage & Family Therapists
Psychologists
Social Workers

Copyright : 05/11/2023

Guided Imagery & Expressive Arts: Create Safety, Self Sooth, & Improve Mood & Behavior in Young Clients

Program Information

Objectives

Analyze play therapy theories and how to integrate expressive therapies when using guided imagery.
Apply mindfulness skills and practice in play therapy treatment to promote self-soothing and affect regulation.
Implement two play therapy techniques that incorporate guided imagery and expressive arts.

Outline

Guided Imagery in the Playroom

When and how to use guided imagery
Open and closed eye imagery for use with traumatized young clients

Experiential Learning in Play Therapy

Case studies combined with various ways to incorporate expressive arts
Sandtray, virtual reality, and the creative arts
Take the audience on a guided imagery fantasy escape
Utilizing guided imagery and expressive arts across ages and stages

Cautions and Warnings in Play Therapy

Working with traumatized clients
Building in safety in the relationship and playroom
Breathwork and co-regulation
Perry’s three R’s

Target Audience

Addiction Professionals
Case Managers
Counselors
Marriage & Family Therapists
Nurses
Nursing Home/Assisted Living Administrators
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapist Assistants
Psychologists
School Administrators
Social Workers
Speech-Language Pathologists
Teachers/School-Based Personnel

Copyright : 05/11/2023

Diversity Awareness in Play Therapy: Working with Immigrant and Refugee Clients

Globally families are fleeing their countries of origin due to wars, and cartels - immigrating to new countries not knowing what is expected of them or how to assimilate to survive.

And there’s a misconception in our field when it comes to working with this population...trainings often label them as BIPOC without understanding the different struggles they experience.

In this play therapy training, you’ll recognize, learn, address concerns, terms, and play therapy techniques to help this population of immigrants and refugees foster cultural opportunities.

Join Liliana Baylon to learn about immigrant/refugee concerns and the struggles with acculturation, grief/loss of identity, culture broker role, play in other cultures, assimilation for survival, and racial injustices.

This is a must-see session!

Program Information

Objectives

Develop increased awareness of issues affecting immigrants in play therapy sessions.
Demonstrate at least 2 ways to support immigrants in the play therapy.
Implement tools for fostering culture opportunity in the playroom.

Outline

Automatic Nervous System (SNS & PNS)

Immigration responses in play therapy
What it means for their identity and internal/external sense of safety

Crisis Immigrant Youth & Families Face from a Global Perspective

View of self, of others, and the world

Tools to Support the Grieving Process

Creating Space for Immigrant Youth & Families in the Play Therapy

Becoming Aware of their Journey Inside and Outside Play Therapy

Perceived challenges
Children’s roles

Target Audience

Counselors
Marriage & Family Therapists
Psychologists
Social Workers
Teachers/School-Based Personnel
School Administrators
Addiction Professionals
Case Managers
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapist Assistants
Speech-Language Pathologists

Techniques to Repair LGBTQIA+ Child-Parent Connection: Internal Family Systems, Play Therapy and Sand Tray to Enhance Stability in Families

When some parents discover their child is a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, this may halt, or even destroy, the narrative they have unknowingly placed on their child(ren). If left unprocessed, it can lead to destructive parenting practices. This is a critical time for all members of the family unit. In this recording, view Carmen Jimenez-Pride to learn not only how to meet each family member where they are at, but to help parents understand and acknowledge how their prewritten narratives and extreme feelings of grief, loss and fear can affect their parenting techniques.

Through IFS therapy, play therapy, and sand tray skills you’ll be able to:

Assist parents in exploring their parts and gain an understanding of the child’s parts
Help parents understand how their prewritten narratives and extreme feelings of grief, loss and fear can affect their parenting and harm their child

At the end of the session, you'll leave with therapeutic interventions that encourage a healthy dialogue, reestablish a strong family core, and renew stable family structures.

This product is not endorsed by, sponsored by, or affiliated with the IFS Institute and does not qualify for IFS Institute credits or certification.

Program Information

Objectives

Develop clinical skills to rewrite family narratives in play therapy to increase caregiver-child connection.
Demonstrate methods of connection between the parent and child within the family play therapy setting.
Design clinical approaches that emphasize the importance of guilt, loss, grief, and fear—common feelings of parents of LGBTQIA children.

Outline

Incorporating IFS and Play Therapy Strategies
- Identifying parts of the system by external representation
- Exploring non-directive and child centered play therapy strategies
- Sand Tray Play Therapy Techniques
Adult and Child learning their internal system of self, protectors and exiles
- Identifying the difference between managers and firefighters
- Emotional intelligence: Increasing emotional literacy by identifying the feelings of parts within the system
Strengthen the Communication between to Adult and Child
- Adults being able to express their feelings of grief and loss
- Children maintaining effective communication with adults

Target Audience

Addiction Counselors
Counselors
Marriage and Family Therapists
Nurses
Psychologists
Therapists
Social Workers
Other Mental Health Professionals

The Power of EMDR Therapy for Children with Traumatic and Adverse Experiences

Many behavioral, somatic and emotional symptoms in children are manifestations of traumatic and adverse experiences that are held in the child’s biology. EMDR therapy, its eight phases and procedural steps provide the structure for clinicians to work with the legacy left by trauma in the embodied mind of the child.

This recording will address how EMDR therapy can be organized to meet the developmental demands of children as well as inner structures formed in response to adversity and trauma. We will address the differences in the use of EMDR therapy with complex vs single incident trauma in children. What elements may need to be incorporated within a comprehensive EMDR treatment with children with histories of developmental and chronic trauma in comparison to the work with children with simple traumatic stress will be covered.

In addition, this seminar will offer a larger and a more comprehensive view of trauma as a generational story that many children affected by adversity carry within. Individual, in contrast to systemic EMDR therapy will be discussed. Clinicians attending this presentation will be exposed to the many shades and intricacies of using EMDR therapy and in addition, what makes it a powerful form of treatment for children.

Program Information

Objectives

Design the structure of EMDR therapy to meet the child’s developmental demands.
Determine what elements may need to be incorporated within a comprehensive EMDR treatment plan for children.
Analyze the differences between individual, in contrast to systemic EDMR therapy with children.
Distinguish which adjunct approaches can be incorporated into EDMR therapy with children.

Outline

How to organize the structure of EMDR therapy to meet the child’s developmental demands
The use of EMDR therapy with complex vs single incident trauma in children
Individual EMDR treatment with children and their parents to heal generational wounds
What makes EMDR therapy a powerful approach for children with histories of trauma

Target Audience

Psychologists
Social Workers
Counselors
Marriage & Family Therapists
Speech-Language Pathologists
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
School Administrators
Teachers/School-Based Personnel

Setting Boundaries in the Play Therapy Room with Dysregulated Children

For many child therapists, boundary setting can feel complicated, not knowing when to do it and how to do it in a way without shaming the child or stopping their play...

But when we work from a neuro-biological perspective, keeping the child’s brain and nervous system activation in mind we can begin to understand how to set boundaries in a way that supports healing and integration while enhancing the therapeutic relationship.

View Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S, international teacher and creator of Synergetic Play Therapy, as she shares the important steps for boundary setting in play therapy…

Perceived threats/challenges
Becoming the external regulator to support child
Tips for emotional flooding
Redirecting with action and words
And More!

Drawing from interpersonal neurobiology and Synergetic Play Therapy, you’ll learn the tools on how to set boundaries without shaming the child or stopping the child's play, allowing for deeper integration and connection!

Program Information

Objectives

Demonstrate at least 2 strategies for setting boundaries in play therapy without shaming or shutting down a child’s play.
Define "emotional flooding," and identify at least 2 strategies to employ when this happens in a play therapy session.
Describe how the therapist’s own window of tolerance influences the need to set a boundary in a play therapy session.

Outline

Exploring Boundary Setting

A neurobiological approach for setting boundaries
When to set boundaries

Understanding the Brain/4 Major Perceived Threats/Challenges

Physical Safety
Perceptions in the Unknown
Incongruence in the Environment
“Shoulds” and Unmet Expectations

Activation of Autonomic Nervous System

External Regulator

Ways to Set Boundaries - Synergetic Play Therapy Perspective

Redirect with Actions
Redirect with Words
Becoming the Challenger

Emotional Flooding

Repair after Rupture
Strategies when the therapist emotionally floods

Target Audience

Licensed Clinical/Mental Health Counselors
Marriage & Family Therapists
Psychologists
Social Workers
Teachers/School-Based Personnel

The Misattuned Family: Techniques for Reparative Work in Family Trauma

Too many children feel hurt, angry, and disconnected from their parents; and too many parents feel discouraged that their child-rearing approaches aren’t working.

Many parent-child therapies focus on improving behaviors without looking at the core issues underneath—attachment and trauma.

This recording offers an approach that focuses on the physiologic, nonverbal connection between parent and child to improve the relationship. Using two attachment-based modalities—Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and Theraplay—learn how to enhance regulation, connection, and joy between parents and children as well as guide parents to do reparative work around family trauma. Discover how to:

Get to the heart of a child’s deeper thoughts, feelings, wishes, and beliefs without relying on the child’s ability to verbalize feelings
Facilitate active dialogue between parents and children that’s both safe and gets to their core issues
Practice scenarios for optimal arousal, affect regulation, and de-escalating child-parent dysregulation
Learn gentle ways to intervene and redirect a misattuned or critical parent

Dafna Lender, LCSW, a certified trainer and consultant in both Theraplay® and Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy.

Program Information

Objectives

Implement face-to-face dialogue between parent and child to create a sense of well-being, connection and joy.
Facilitate active dialogue between parent and child that is both safe and gets at the dyad’s core issues.
Practice scenarios for de-escalating child and parent dysregulation optimal arousal and affect regulation.
Apply interventions to increase healthy attachment and connection with parents.

Outline

Activities, Practices and Techniques:

Face-to-face Dialogue Between Parent/Child to Create Well-being, Connection and Joy
Active Dialogue Between Parent/Child that’s Both Safe and Gets at the Dyad’s Core Issues
Practice Scenarios for De-escalating Child/Parent Dysregulation Optimal /arousal and Affect Regulation
Gentle Ways to Intervene and Redirect a Misattuned or Critical Parent

Target Audience

Psychologists
Social Workers
Counselors
Marriage & Family Therapists
Speech-Language Pathologists
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
School Administrators
Teachers/School-Based Personnel