Play Therapy 101: An Introduction to the Basics

This beginning play therapy workshop will cover the basic skills of play therapy. Examples of topics that will be presented include structuring and setting the stage for play therapy, tracking, reflection of content and process, returning responsibility to the client, facilitating self-advocacy, and limit setting in the play room. Other current counseling issues in working with children and adolescents will be addressed as well.

The goal of this session is to provide participants with an understanding of basic play therapy skills.  A variety of beginning skills will be addressed, including the following:

• Structuring and setting the stage for play therapy – being able to explain play therapy and the process in a developmentally appropriate manner, creating a safe atmosphere, trusting and respecting the child’s feelings, etc.
• Tracking – describing what the child is doing in a way which facilitates the play.
• Restating content: paraphrasing what the child has said.
• Reflecting feelings and content – used to deepen the relationship and help child understand emotions, being with others, using an affective vocabulary, etc.
• Returning responsibility to the child – helping the child build self-confidence and self-responsibility
• Facilitating self-advocacy - enabling clients to gain a sense of control and influence over their own play, learning, and development
• Using the child’s metaphor – staying within the child’s story without interpretation of meaning
• Setting limits – needed to keep the child safe, promote self-control and teach responsibility

These basic skills, their use within the playroom and with clients, as well as multicultural implications will be presented.

This professional development is provided free of charge through the Melba Law Steeg Endowment at Northwestern State University.

For more information:  perkinsg@nsula.edu

To register:  

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYCOTbT0i7jDXCCzIo-MAM3Xunhcy051EiotqABvkbpx7t9Q/viewform?usp=sf_link

Once registered, participants will receive the link to enter the program.

Approved for 3.0 CE clock hours in Diagnosis;  no NBCC credits available for this workshop.