Play Therapy Training Series

Friday, July 10, 2020

Online 8:00 am – 4:30 pm

8 CEUs

Cost: $280

Cohort cost: $250

Staff cost: $200

Staff cohort cost: $160

Cost does not include required texts

Course Description: This course will present the use of play as a therapeutic modality and offer an introductory level of understanding of child centered play therapy. The history of the use of play therapy will be explored. In addition, the theoretical client-centered approach to play therapy will be emphasized in the course along with the application of this approach to cases will be discussed. There will be emphasis placed on the role of the therapeutic relationship and the process of play therapy.

Course Objectives:

1. Participants will describe how the role of play is therapeutic in working primarily with children.
2. Participants will analyze the brief history of play therapy from its origins and evolution of play therapy to where it is today. 
3. Participants will demonstrate their understanding of the child centered play therapy technique and the general use of it in play therapy sessions. 
4. Participants will apply a knowledge of ethical standards in practicing in the area of play therapy.
5. Participants will demonstrate a beginner’s level of child centered play therapy modality skills. 
6. Students will be able to critique themselves and evaluate how they can improve their level of understanding regarding a child’s play behavior and play themes.
7. Participants will be able to self-reflect how their unique experiences and cultural influences may impact their understanding of a child’s play behavior. 
8. Participants will demonstrate how to follow protocols for complex needs of child and parents.

Tuesday, July 14, 2020

Online 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

3 CEUs

Cost: $105

Cohort cost: $90

Staff cost: $75

Staff cohort cost: $60

Cost does not include required texts

Recommended Text: O’Connor, K. & Braverman, L. (2009).  Play Therapy Theory and Practice:  Comparing Theory and Techniques. John Wiley & Sons: Hoboken, NJ.  ISBN:  978-0470122365 

Course Description: The major counseling theories are explored and applications of these theories are presented in typical scenarios associated with a play therapy caseload.  Participants will be reminded of the theories they most likely learned about in graduate school, and then will be given an opportunity to examine how these theories can be applied to their work with children in the play room. 

Course Objectives:

1. Participants will describe at least five theories and their applications regarding how the tenets of  in counseling are applied in practice with children and youth.
2. Participants will identify how a theory applies to the process and phases of treatment in play therapy. 
3. Participants will apply a working knowledge of ethical standards in practicing in the area of play therapy, and how using informed theoretical applications support ethical practice.  

Friday, July 17, 2020 and Friday, July 24, 2020

Online 8:00 am – 12:30 pm

8 CEUs

Cost: $280

Cohort cost: $250

Staff cost: $200

Staff cohort cost: $160

Cost does not include required texts

Course Description: This course introduces the key tenets of applying DSM criteria for diagnosing child through the use of play therapy techniques. A heavy focus is placed on understanding how the play behaviors are characteristic of certain types of diagnoses. The course does not teach providers how to “interpret” client behavior, but rather to recognize patterns that may better explain a certain diagnosis for the purpose of informing the play therapy treatment plan.

Course Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to apply DSM V criteria to diagnosing common childhood disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, anxiety disorders, childhood depression, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, Tourette’s disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and more. 
2. Participants will be able to apply behavioral analysis and play therapy skills to observing child-parent interactions, play language and behavior, affect, motor skills, and developmental stages.
3. Participants will explain the importance of differential diagnosis, and can identify three reasons for referring a child out for a more specialized clinical or medical opinion. 
4. Participants will be able to describe the ethical considerations to diagnosing a child, the ethics of labeling children with an organic disorder, and the ethical considerations of weighing the need of applying a diagnosis for the purpose of obtaining services with the need to avoid stigmatizing a child with a mental health disorder. 
5. Participants will be able to identify resources and provide psychoeducation to caregivers regarding a child’s diagnosis.

Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Online 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

3 CEUs

Cost: $105

Cohort cost: $90

Staff cost: $75

Staff cohort cost: $60

Cost does not include required texts

Course Description: This course focuses on the importance and ability of engaging parents and caregivers in the play therapy process. From the intake to the discharge, caregiver involvement is essential to the quality and progress of play therapy interventions for children.  Children cannot be expected to make all the changes—if caregivers do not change with them, children will not be able to maintain progress and may even regress.  Strategies for engaging caregivers will be the primary course focus.

Objectives:

1. Participants will describe how the role of caregivers is important to the progress children make in play therapy.
2. Participants will analyze the benefits and barriers to good engagement from caregivers within the play therapy process. 
3. Participants will demonstrate their understanding of the role parents play in play therapy treatment. 
4. Students will be able to critique themselves and evaluate how they can improve their level of understanding regarding a child’s connection to their caregivers.

Friday, July 31, 2020 and Friday, August 7, 2020

Online 8:00 am – 12:30 pm

8 CEUs

Cost: $280

Cohort cost: $250

Staff cost: $200

Staff cohort cost: $160

Cost does not include required texts

Friday, August 14, 2020

Online 8:00 am - 4:30 pm

8 CEUs

Cost: $280

Cohort cost: $250

Staff cost: $200

Staff cohort cost: $160

Cost does not include required texts

Saturday, August 15, 2020 and Saturday, September 26, 2020

Online (08/15) & Location TBA (09/26) 9:00 am – 1:30 pm

8 CEUs

Cost: $280

Cohort cost: $250

Staff cost: $200

Staff cohort cost: $160

Cost does not include required texts

Friday, October 9, 2020 and Saturday, October 10, 2020

Location TBA 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

16 CEUs

Cost: $560

Cohort cost: $480

Staff cost: $400

Staff cohort cost: $320

Cost does not include required texts

Friday, October 23 through Sunday, October 25, 2020

Location TBA 9:00 am – 3:30 pm

24 CEUs

Cost: $840

Cohort cost: $720

Staff cost: $600

Staff cohort cost: $480

Cost does not include required texts

Friday, November 6, 2020 & Saturday, November 7, 2020

Location TBA 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

16 CEUs

Cost: $560

Cohort cost: $480

Staff cost: $400

Staff cohort cost: $320

Cost does not include required texts

Friday, December 4, 2020

Location TBA 9:00am - 4:30pm

7 CEUs

Cost: $245

Cohort cost: $210

Staff cost: $175

Staff cohort cost: $140

Cost does not include required texts

Saturday, December 5, 2020

Location TBA 9:00am - 4:30pm

7 CEUs

Cost: $245

Cohort cost: $210

Staff cost: $175

Staff cohort cost: $140

Cost does not include required texts

Friday, January 8, 2021

Sioux City Office 8:30 am – 5:30 pm

8 CEUs

Cost: $280

Cohort cost: $250

Staff cost: $200

Staff cohort cost: $160

Cost does not include required texts

Course Description: This course will present the use of play as a therapeutic modality and offer an introductory level of understanding of child centered play therapy. The history of the use of play therapy will be explored. In addition, the theoretical client-centered approach to play therapy will be emphasized in the course along with the application of this approach to cases will be discussed. There will be emphasis placed on the role of the therapeutic relationship and the process of play therapy.

Course Objectives:

1. Participants will describe how the role of play is therapeutic in working primarily with children.
2. Participants will analyze the brief history of play therapy from its origins and evolution of play therapy to where it is today. 
3. Participants will demonstrate their understanding of the child centered play therapy technique and the general use of it in play therapy sessions. 
4. Participants will apply a knowledge of ethical standards in practicing in the area of play therapy.
5. Participants will demonstrate a beginner’s level of child centered play therapy modality skills. 
6. Students will be able to critique themselves and evaluate how they can improve their level of understanding regarding a child’s play behavior and play themes.
7. Participants will be able to self-reflect how their unique experiences and cultural influences may impact their understanding of a child’s play behavior. 
8. Participants will demonstrate how to follow protocols for complex needs of child and parents.

Saturday, January 9, 2021

Sioux City Office 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

8 CEUs

Cost: $280

Cohort cost: $250

Staff cost: $200

Staff cohort cost: $160

Cost does not include required texts

Course Description: This course introduces the key tenets of applying DSM criteria for diagnosing child through the use of play therapy techniques. A heavy focus is placed on understanding how the play behaviors are characteristic of certain types of diagnoses. The course does not teach providers how to “interpret” client behavior, but rather to recognize patterns that may better explain a certain diagnosis for the purpose of informing the play therapy treatment plan.

Course Objectives:

1. Participants will be able to apply DSM V criteria to diagnosing common childhood disorders, including Autism Spectrum Disorder, anxiety disorders, childhood depression, Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder, Tourette’s disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and more. 
2. Participants will be able to apply behavioral analysis and play therapy skills to observing child-parent interactions, play language and behavior, affect, motor skills, and developmental stages.
3. Participants will explain the importance of differential diagnosis, and can identify three reasons for referring a child out for a more specialized clinical or medical opinion. 
4. Participants will be able to describe the ethical considerations to diagnosing a child, the ethics of labeling children with an organic disorder, and the ethical considerations of weighing the need of applying a diagnosis for the purpose of obtaining services with the need to avoid stigmatizing a child with a mental health disorder. 
5. Participants will be able to identify resources and provide psychoeducation to caregivers regarding a child’s diagnosis.

Sunday, January 10, 2021

Sioux City Office 8:30 am – 11:30 am

3 CEUs

Cost: $105

Cohort cost: $90

Staff cost: $75

Staff cohort cost: $60

Cost does not include required texts

Recommended Text: O’Connor, K. & Braverman, L. (2009).  Play Therapy Theory and Practice:  Comparing Theory and Techniques. John Wiley & Sons: Hoboken, NJ.  ISBN:  978-0470122365

Course Description: The major counseling theories are explored and applications of these theories are presented in typical scenarios associated with a play therapy caseload.  Participants will be reminded of the theories they most likely learned about in graduate school, and then will be given an opportunity to examine how these theories can be applied to their work with children in the play room.

Course Objectives:

1. Participants will describe at least five theories and their applications regarding how the tenets of  in counseling are applied in practice with children and youth.
2. Participants will identify how a theory applies to the process and phases of treatment in play therapy. 
3. Participants will apply a working knowledge of ethical standards in practicing in the area of play therapy, and how using informed theoretical applications support ethical practice. 

Sunday, January 10, 2021

Sioux City Office 12:30 pm – 3:30 pm

3 CEUs

Cost: $105

Cohort cost: $90

Staff cost: $75

Staff cohort cost: $60

Cost does not include required texts

Course Description: This course focuses on the importance and ability of engaging parents and caregivers in the play therapy process. From the intake to the discharge, caregiver involvement is essential to the quality and progress of play therapy interventions for children.  Children cannot be expected to make all the changes—if caregivers do not change with them, children will not be able to maintain progress and may even regress.  Strategies for engaging caregivers will be the primary course focus.

Objectives:

1. Participants will describe how the role of caregivers is important to the progress children make in play therapy.
2. Participants will analyze the benefits and barriers to good engagement from caregivers within the play therapy process. 
3. Participants will demonstrate their understanding of the role parents play in play therapy treatment. 
4. Students will be able to critique themselves and evaluate how they can improve their level of understanding regarding a child’s connection to their caregivers.

Friday, January 22, 2021

Sioux City 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

8 CEUs

Cost: $280

Cohort cost: $250

Staff cost: $200

Staff cohort cost: $160

Cost does not include required texts

Saturday, January 23, 2021

Sioux City 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

8 CEUs

Cost: $120

Cohort cost: $150

Staff cost: $180

Staff cohort cost: $210

Cost does not include required texts

Sunday, January 24, 2021

Sioux City 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

8 CEUs

Cost: $280

Cohort cost: $250

Staff cost: $200

Staff cohort cost: $160

Cost does not include required texts

Friday, February 5 and Saturday, February 6, 2021

Sioux City 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

16 CEUs

Cost: $560

Cohort cost: $480

Staff cost: $400

Staff cohort cost: $320

Cost does not include required texts

Friday, February 19 through Sunday, February 21, 2021

Sioux City 8:30 am – 3:00 pm

24 CEUs

Cost: $840

Cohort cost: $720

Staff cost: $600

Staff cohort cost: $480

Cost does not include required texts 

Friday, March 5 and Saturday, March 6, 2021

Sioux City 8:30 am – 1:00 pm

8 CEUs

Cost: $280

Cohort cost: $250

Staff cost: $200

Staff cohort cost: $160

Cost does not include required texts 

Thursday, April 8, 2021 & Friday, April 9, 2021 

Sioux City 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

16 CEUs

Cost: $560

Cohort cost: $480

Staff cost: $400

Staff cohort cost: $320

Cost does not include required texts

Thursday April 22, 2021

Sioux City 9:00am - 4:30pm

7 CEUs

Cost: $245

Cohort cost: $210

Staff cost: $175

Staff cohort cost: $140

Cost does not include required texts