AutPlay® Therapy Certification

Instructor: Dr. Patricia Gilbaugh, Ph.D., LISW, RPT-S, CAS

Description

This is an intensive training that focuses on teaching the AutPlay Therapy framework, integrative family

play therapy for working with neurodivergent children (autistic, ADHD, sensory differences, learning

differences, developmental disabilities) and their families. AutPlay Therapy emphasizes a neurodiversity

affirming an informed approach and harnesses the therapeutic powers of play to help address mental

health issues for neurodivergent children and their families. This training presents an overview of

autistic and neurodivergent children. How to build relationship and assess for needs (utilizing several

AutPlay inventories) for target goal areas is covered along with parent and child co-change agent

processes. Goal areas of connection, regulation, and social navigation are described with example play

therapy interventions for each area. The three progressive phases are presented (intake and

assessment, structured play interventions, and termination).

Parent/family/child involvement is explained with protocol for working with parents and children as

partners in the process. The AutPlay Therapy Follow Me Approach is explained which details how to

work with children with little to no engagement and attunement ability creating special play times to

improve connection and relationship development. Additional components such as theoretical

underpinnings, understanding dysregulation, improving regulation ability, research, and case examples

are covered. Several play therapy interventions are explained and demonstrated through session video

clips. Experiential activities are presented, and case conceptualization and planning are discussed.

Once you have registered for the training, you will be emailed a pre-training form with a few instructions

before your two-day in-person training. The instructions include processes for completing the full

AutPlay certification program. This includes instructions for purchasing and reading the book The

AutPlay Therapy Handbook: Integrative Family Play Therapy with Neurodivergent Children by Robert

Jason Grant and watching two recorded webinars prior to your training.

Learning Objectives

1. 1) Explain neurodiversity and implementing a neurodiversity affirming approach.
2. 2) Describe the components of AutPlay Therapy including conducting an AutPlay Therapy session,
3. theoretical underpinnings, phases of therapy, assessment and screening instruments, and goal planning.
4. 3) Describe common mental health goals addressed in AutPlay Therapy.
5. 4) Identify several structured play therapy interventions to use for addressing goals.
6. 5) Discuss how to involve parents and other family members as co-change agents (partners).
7. 6) Describe the AutPlay model of dysregulation
8. 7) Identify play therapy interventions to address dysregulation issues.
9. 8) Implement the AutPlay Follow Me Approach, designed for children with higher needs.
10. 9) Describe how to work with parents in implementing AutPlay Follow Me play times at home.
11. 10) Explain research and evidence-based practices in AutPlay Therapy.
12. 11) Outline the theoretical underpinnings of AutPlay, including seminal play therapy theories and other
13. integrated methods.
14. 12) Identify at least 6 AutPlay interventions to increase experiential knowledge.

Continuing Education 

14 hours CE, plus 2 hours CE

with 2 hour on-line self-paced prerequisite, approved for state licensure and APT)

**Counts as multicultural training (neurodivergence (required for state and APT)

RPT CE Hrs Categories:

Book Certificate - The 8 hrs can count as any combination of 4 toward cultural and social diversity, 2

toward seminal theories, 2 toward skills and methods or all 8 in special topics or applicants’ choice.

Introduction to AutPlay recorded webinar - The 4 hrs can count as any combination of 2 toward cultural

and social diversity, 2 toward seminal theories, or all 4 in special topics or applicants’ choice.

Two Day 12 Hr Training - Any combination of 6 toward cultural and social diversity, 4 toward seminal

theories, 2 toward skills and methods, or all 12 toward special topics or applicants’ choice.

Next Training: August 16 2025 and August 17th 2025 in Marshalltown Iowa 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m