Training & Education

I Partner with the North Dakota Association for Play Therapy to provide affordable training in the Foundations of Play Therapy. This is a list of the trainings developed and previously completed that will be presented again. Future trainings will be posted soon!

~ A Query of the Theories ~

Finding Your Anchor Points in Play Therapy

  • Andrea Walker, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S     

  • Date:  TBA

  • Location:  Live – Online Zoom

Play Therapy can sound like an easy endeavor, just bring in some toys and play, right?  Play therapy is based out of years of experience and research demonstrating how and why play therapy works.  This course will briefly explore those key theories and help you identify which theories formulate your grounding points. 

This training will provide 2.5 APT approved CE's which will apply toward earning your RPT.  This training includes 1 hour of History and 1.5 hours of Seminal Theories.   This will be a live web course with a test that can be used towards you RPT contact hours.  Counseling & Social Work CEU’s available

Objectives:

a.      Discuss eight major theories of play therapy and the contributions each theory makes to understanding therapeutic work with children.

b.     Briefly describe the basis for each theory and how it differentiates from the others.

c.      Name 1 significant benefit for each of the theoretical orientations

d.     Identify personal preferences in theoretical approaches and determine personal preferences.

e.      Define the approach of prescriptive play therapy and name a reason for and against using this approach.

The Amazing Powers of Play

How It Works, What It Means, and How Tracking and Reflecting Amplifies Therapeutic Play

  • Andrea Walker, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S     

  • Date:  TBA

  • Location:  Live – Online Zoom

Play Therapy is a powerful demonstration of how youth of all ages can express themselves without limiting themselves to words.  This course will focus on how to follow and track play therapy sessions with insights on techniques and strategies utilized in the therapeutic process of play. This course includes skill development with verbal and nonverbal communication, empathic listening, and encouragement while incorporating the importance of the child’s emotional and intellectual development.

This training will provide 3 APT approved CE’s which will apply towards earning your RPT. This training includes 2 ½ credit hours of Skills and Methods and ½ hours of Seminal Theories.  This will be a live web Course with a test at the end that can be used towards your RPT contact hours.  Counseling & Social Work CEU’s included.

OBJECTIVES

1.      Identify the major functions of play

2.      List and define the different ways that play impacts the development of children.

3.      Discuss and Practice Mirroring, Tracking, and Reflection in play sequences

4.      Briefly describe how to bridge tracking and reflection with encouragement instead of praise

5.      Create a list of 3 skills utilized in effective tracking.

6.      Identify how to monitor and incorporate emotions and expressions in play

~ Play Themes and Metaphors ~

How to Read the Meaning and Messages in Play Sequences

  • Andrea Walker, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S     

  • Date:  TBA

  • Location:  Live – Online Zoom

Have you ever wondered what is going on in a session and wished for more insight?  This training is designed to cover just that!  We will cover a wide array of play therapy themes including many forms of communications presented without a word spoken!  Discussions will include developmental play, play themes encompassing several theoretical bases, and advanced metaphors that add a deeper understanding of patterns, needs, and perspectives.  

This training will provide 3.5 APT approved CE’s which will apply towards earning your RPT. This training includes 2 1/2 credit hours of Skills and Methods, ½ hours of Social and Cultural Competency, and ½ hours of Seminal Theories.  This will be a live web Course with a test at the end that can be used towards your RPT contact hours.  Counseling & Social Work CEU’s

Objectives

1.     Identify the 6 Content Theme categories often found in Play Therapy

2.     Discuss and review examples of the 6 Content Themes along with child developmental levels

3.     Define the mechanisms for identifying Play Themes across several theoretical models

4.     Explain the concepts for adding direction to the play and continuing without intervention

5.     Translate possible Metaphors in play while looking through the child’s lens

~ Ethics and Social Cultural Considerations in Play Therapy ~

This training will provide participants opportunities to challenge and increase their understanding of how social and cultural dynamics impact service delivery.  Additional exploration of ethics within play therapy practices will be explored.   

Objectives

1.       Articulate APT’s definition of Social and Cultural Diversity and demonstrate the ability to access resources for other professional organizations

2.       Assess and describe personal and professional awareness of cultural and social dynamics for children and families specific to the area being served.

3.       Identify potential personal, cultural, and social biases and describe the manner in which these factors inform the individualized approach, analysis, and therapeutic intervention in play therapy. 

4.       Apply the SEESAW Methodology, incorporating concern areas, ethics, personal bias, guidance, evaluation, and prioritization of the client.