New Hope North Counseling

Anxiety is an underlying problem for many of the children we see in our daily work. This workshop will explore play therapy interventions as a way of teaching clients to take care of anxiety-provoking situations. Participants will try out interventions for relaxation, externalization and resolution of anxiety.

By the end of this workshop, the participant will be able to:

1) Cite at least 3 presenting problems in a referral for play therapy that may have anxiety as a co-existing, or even as the root, problem.

2) Examine both external, and internal, causes of anxiety.

3) Identify at least 2 play therapy interventions for relaxation, for externalization, and for resolution of anxiety.

4) Come up with a plan that a client could use that utilizes play therapy techniques to minimize anxious responses to triggering situations.

This workshop will help therapists identify clients who come in for play therapy who may need a referral for testing for Autism Spectrum Disorders. In addition, three common types of ASD therapy will be discussed, with play therapy interventions that are consistent with those models of therapy. A brief look at current neuroscience research into ASD will give more opportunity for play therapy interventions to be explored.

By the end of this workshop, the participant will be able to:

1) Identify at least 3 symptoms that may emerge in a play therapy session that would suggest a need for referral for ASD testing.

2) Explain 3 major types of therapy for ASD and how play therapy can be used as an adjunct to them.

3) Understand some of the neuroscience of ASD, and relate how play therapy can be used in an effective manner to address these problems.

This workshop will look at the Bowlby/Ainsworth descriptions of secure/insecure attachment. We will see how understanding this attachment process affects the way we understand many of the presenting problems in the children with whom we are working. Theraplay is a model of directive play therapy particularly appropriate for both assessing and healing the breaks in the attachment bond.

By the end of this workshop, the participant will be able to:

1) Identify at least 3 hallmarks of children with attachment disorders or issues (RAD/AI).

2) List the 4 dimensions that Theraplay introduced as important in assessing families and children.

3) Cite at least 2 play therapy interventions that would be appropriate for each of the 4 dimensions.

This workshop will give participants hands on experience with interventions designed to enhance their family assessments. Using play therapy to include children and adolescents, along with the adults, will allow the therapist to increase their knowledge of family dynamics such as: hierarchy, control and the relationship between family members.

By the end of this workshop, the participant will be able to:

1) Identify at least 2 play therapy interventions that are appropriate for using in the initial phases of family assessment.

2) Describe at least 2 play therapy interventions that will engage adolescent family members in the assessment process.

3) Provide 2 alternatives to the standard family genogram using play therapy techniques.

4) Describe at least 1 play therapy intervention that will highlight family dynamics such as hierarchy, control and closeness/distance between family members.

Each workshop is from 9am to 1pm and is open to mental health professionals and graduate students. The cost is $50 for each workshop, $40 each if you register for three or more, and $30 each for students. Register by calling or email The Village for Families and Children (860-236-4511 ext. 3763 or nschwan@villageforchildren.org and include “Play Therapy Training” in the subject line of your email).

Play therapy can be an effective adjunct to your work with clients suffering from attachment and trauma issues. We will explore the use of play therapy in the healing process. This workshop will present theoretical and experiential aspects of diverse play therapy techniques and interventions.

Workshop Objectives:

• Learn to engage a child to set goals
• Learn intervention to help children assess resources
• Engage a child to practice coping skills
• Assist children resolving their trauma

Each workshop is from 9am to 1pm and is open to mental health professionals and graduate students. The cost is $50 for each workshop, $40 each if you register for three or more, and $30 each for students. Register by calling or email The Village for Families and Children (860-236-4511 ext. 3763 or nschwan@villageforchildren.org and include “Play Therapy Training” in the subject line of your email).

This workshop will address working with children, adolescents, and their families, who are experiencing grief and/or loss. During this time, a theoretical base for tasks to be completed in the grief process will be presented, along with practical interventions for each step. Whether the loss is due to death, divorce, a move, or any other transition, this workshop is designed to give you a road map in your work with these clients.

Workshop Objectives:

• Learn interventions to help children identify people in their support system
• Accept the reality of their loss
• Find ways to memorialize, or remember
• Integrate their loss into a new way of life

Each workshop is from 9am to 1pm and is open to mental health professionals and graduate students. The cost is $50 for each workshop, $40 each if you register for three or more, and $30 each for students. Register by calling or email The Village for Families and Children (860-236-4511 ext. 3763 or nschwan@villageforchildren.org and include “Play Therapy Training” in the subject line of your email).

This workshop will be a brief introduction to play therapy as a whole. After looking at the history of play therapy and the spectrum that play therapy models encompass, a very brief look at Piagets’ childhood development model will set the stage for the experiential part of the workshop. Types of play therapy and interventions will be proposed for each stage of development from childhood through adulthood. Come ready to play!

Workshop Objectives:

• Learn the difference in play therapy models that are non-directive (child-centered), directive and integrative (collaborative).
• Learn about types of play therapy interventions appropriate for young children and elementary school-aged children.
• Learn to use play therapy to engage resistant teenagers.