| Description |
Just as adults use verbal language to communicate their thoughts, feelings, concerns, and fears, children and adolescents use play as a way to communicate. Regardless of the language spoken by the child or the therapist, play is a powerful and effective technique when used in the therapeutic setting. The positive benefits of play are numerous to include a safe and healing environment for the child, feelings of unconditional positive regard and acceptance, finding solutions to problems, using materials that are most familiar to the child, and helping parents connect more effectively with their children. Clinicians, mental health providers, and allied professionals are challenged to find ways to quickly and effectively connect with the children and adolescents with whom they work. Play Therapy has been proven to help with rapport building, providing culturally sensitive interventions, and providing a space for the client to work through difficult and painful situations.
This workshop will educate and inform professionals on the rationale behind play therapy, as well as the research and historical perspective that informs the use of play therapy. Participants will engage in at least 3 hands-on activity labs to learn the techniques being taught throughout the seminar. Participants will learn about each type of play therapy theoretical orientation, understand the techniques supporting each type, and then learn how to integrate these tools into their current practice. Once participants return to their individual clinics, schools, or practice settings, they will feel confident in being able to start using and integrating the tools and techniques learned.
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