Unlocking the Transformative Powers of Play: A 4-Part Series for Meaningful Change in the Playroom

20 NBCC Hours: NBCC ACEP Provider No. 6763
20 APT Hours: APT Approved Provider 15-430

Workshop Description:

This dynamic 4-part series explores the core therapeutic powers of play, equipping mental health professionals with evidence-based strategies to enhance client outcomes in the play room. Each module delves into critical aspects of play therapy, offering a comprehensive breakdown of theory, skill development, and applied methods.

Schedule:

February 21st, 2026
Part I: Facilitates Communication
APT Credits: 1 Theory, 1 Skill, 2 Methods
Topics: Self-Expression, Access to the Unconscious, Direct Teaching, Indirect Teaching
Objectives: Participants will gain knowledge and practice in applying play therapy techniques that enhance communication by:

• Encouraging self-expression to help clients articulate thoughts and emotions they may struggle to verbalize.
• Utilizing strategies to access the unconscious, uncovering underlying issues through symbolic play.
• Implementing direct teaching approaches to guide clients in learning new skills or concepts through structured play.
• Applying indirect teaching methods to facilitate subtle learning and insight through unstructured or exploratory play.

By the end of this module, participants will be equipped with practical tools to effectively enhance communication and build meaningful connections in the playroom. Additionally, they will gain essential skills for accurately documenting play therapy sessions to meet requirements for third-party reimbursement.

March 7th, 2026
Part II: Fosters Emotional Wellness
APT Credits: 1 Theory, 3 Skill, 2 Methods
Topics: Catharsis, Abreaction, Positive Emotions, Counterconditioning Fears, Stress Inoculation, Stress Management
Objectives: Participants will gain knowledge and practical skills to apply play therapy techniques that foster emotional wellness by:

• Facilitating catharsis to help clients release pent-up emotions through symbolic and expressive play.
• Utilizing abreaction to safely reenact and process past traumatic experiences within the therapeutic space.
• Encouraging the cultivation of positive emotions to build resilience and promote emotional balance.
• Implementing strategies for counterconditioning fears by gradually reducing anxiety through therapeutic play activities.
• Practicing stress inoculation techniques to prepare clients for handling future stressors more effectively.
• Teaching stress management skills to empower clients with tools to regulate their emotional states in and out of therapy.
• Learning to effectively document and track assessments to monitor progress and ensure interventions align with treatment goals, including preparing documentation for third-party reimbursement.

By the end of this module, participants will have the tools, techniques, and documentation practices to enhance emotional healing and well-being in their play therapy practice.

April 18th, 2026
Part III: Enhances Social Relationships
APT Credits: 1 Theory, 1 Skill, 2 Methods
Topics: Therapeutic Relationship, Attachment, Social Competence, Empathy
Objectives: Participants will gain knowledge and practical skills to apply play therapy techniques that enhance social relationships by:

• Strengthening the Therapeutic Relationship – Developing trust and rapport with clients through therapeutic play, creating a safe and supportive environment for emotional expression and growth.
• Fostering Attachment – Understanding and applying attachment theory in play therapy to nurture secure, healthy attachments and help clients build stronger bonds with caregivers and peers.
• Building Social Competence – Teaching clients social skills through play, including communication, cooperation, conflict resolution, and problem-solving, to help them interact more effectively with others.
• Cultivating Empathy – Using play to promote empathy by encouraging clients to understand and relate to the feelings and experiences of others, enhancing their emotional intelligence and interpersonal relationships.

By the end of this module, participants will be equipped with the skills to foster deeper social connections and improve interpersonal functioning in their clients through play therapy.

May 9th, 2026
Part IV: Increases Personal Strengths
APT Credits: 1 Theory, 3 Skill, 2 Methods
Topics: Creative Problem Solving, Resiliency, Moral Development, Accelerated Psychological Development, Self-Regulation, Self-Esteem
Objectives: Participants will gain knowledge and practical skills to apply play therapy techniques that enhance personal strengths by:

• Promoting Creative Problem Solving – Encouraging clients to use imaginative play to explore solutions to challenges, fostering critical thinking and adaptive coping strategies.
• Building Resiliency – Teaching clients how to bounce back from setbacks and navigate adversity through play-based activities that strengthen their ability to cope with stress and difficult emotions.
• Supporting Moral Development – Using play therapy to guide clients in understanding ethical dilemmas, develop moral reasoning, and make responsible choices that reflect their values.
• Facilitating Accelerated Psychological Development – Providing play experiences that promote cognitive, emotional, and behavioral growth, helping clients progress more quickly toward developmental milestones.
• Enhancing Self-Regulation – Helping clients develop self-control and emotional regulation through play techniques that teach impulse control, frustration tolerance, and emotional awareness.
• Building Self-Esteem – Empowering clients to recognize their strengths, value themselves, and build confidence through positive reinforcement and achievement within the play therapy process.

By the end of this module, participants will be equipped with the tools to promote personal strength, resilience, and healthy psychological development in their clients through play therapy.