In-Person Training
Healing Trauma Through Play Therapy:
A Neuroscience & Attachment Approach
Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025 Time: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Mountain Time
Location: Utah Tech University – Russell C. Taylor Health Science Building1526 E Medical Center Dr.
St. George, UT 84790
Training Information
Here's What You Need To Know
Who is appropriate for this training?
Play therapists, clinical social workers, mental health counselors, family therapists, child and adolescent psychologists.
This training is FOR you if…
- You want to think beyond the ordinary and accomplish extraordinary results with your clients so you can change the lives of your clients for generations to come
- You want to learn how to confidently use play therapy to address trauma through each phase of the change process and know what to do in each phase of treatment
- You want to learn new play therapy strategies to help your traumatized clients heal
- You’re tired of feeling like you’re failing your clients and you want to gain confidence to use play therapy so you can get better results for them
This training is NOT for you if…
- You’re not a child/adolescent mental health professional
- You are a child/adolescent mental health professional but you don’t want to use play therapy with your clients
- You don’t think play therapy is effective
- You don’t need to learn anything because you’re very experienced and you already know everything there is to know about play therapy
When is it？
Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Mountain Time (Make sure to adjust to your time zone)
Where is it？
Location: Attend In Person
In-Person Venue: Utah Tech University – Russell C. Taylor Health Science Building1526 E Medical Center Dr, St. George, UT 84790
Course Description
Children and teens impacted by trauma often struggle with emotion dysregulation, traumatic memories resulting in maladaptive behavior, and forming trust in relationships. These challenges stem from deep-seated feelings of shame and negative core beliefs about themselves and others, illustrating the pervasive impact of trauma. Fortunately, with the right therapeutic approach, healing and thriving are possible.
This professional play therapy training is designed for play therapists and child/adolescent counselors to utilize the insights of neuroscience and attachment theory. By focusing on these frameworks, this training equips you to effectively implement clinical interventions using play therapy and expressive arts. These methods provide developmentally appropriate ways to engage children and teens in their recovery, respecting cultural and diversity considerations crucial for healing.
Throughout this experiential training, you will understand the developmental impacts of trauma, which are essential for tailoring your therapeutic strategies. You'll discover how to identify themes in play and use these insights to guide your application of play therapy and expressive arts interventions. The training covers the four phases of treatment—each vital for addressing different aspects of trauma—and introduces specific activities for each phase. Additionally, it emphasizes the critical role of engaging caregivers as therapeutic partners.
By the end of this training, you’ll possess a deeper understanding and practical skills to implement neuroscience and attachment-informed strategies, enhancing their ability to foster significant and positive changes in the lives of young clients.
Objectives for this training
- Play therapists will explain the role of case conceptualization with cultural intelligence for treatment planning using an integrative play therapy approach grounded in neuroscience and attachment theory.
- Play therapists will describe the role of implicit memory and mentalization for trauma triggers in the play therapy process.
- Play therapists will describe the role of implicit memory and mentalization for trauma triggers in the play therapy process.
- Play therapists will describe at least three themes and play behaviors common to trauma work in play therapy.
- Play therapists will explain the role of play therapist and purpose of each phase of play therapy.
- Play therapists will identify at least three components needed to create safety in the play therapy process. Play therapists will demonstrate at least two play therapy activities for each phase of treatment.
Training Schedule
90 minutes: Understanding Trauma using Neuroscience & Attachment Theory
- Overview of neuroscience & attachment
- Over of Mentalization & the Role of Implicit Memory in Trauma Triggers
1 hour: Play Behaviors & Trauma
- Play themes
- Experiential Large Group Activity: Identifying themes
- Therapeutic Powers of Play
- Small Group activity: Case Study
1 Hour: Formulating Case Conceptualization & Treatment Planning
- Overview of Case Conceptualization and Cultural Formulation
- Using an Integrative Play Therapy Model
- Building a Strong Therapeutic Relationship for Safety - the Sacred Space of Play Therapy
- Role of Caregivers in the Play Therapy Change Process
2.5 Hours: Overview of Stages
- Stages of Play Therapy with Traumatized Children & Teens
- Experiential Activities for Each Stage
Continuing Education Credit is available for the following organizations:
- 6 Contact CE hours, APT Approved Provider #20-621
- CEs only available for mental health professionals
- If you register for the Virtual training options, you can earn 6 Non-Contact CE hours.
- NASW UT Chapter Approve 6 CEU - Synchronous and Asynchronous
‼️Important‼️ In-Person participants must be present for the entirety of the training to receive continuing education hours.
What category will this training meet for the RPT credential?
For mental health professionals pursuing a Registered Play Therapy (RPT) certification, this training fits into Primary Area 4: Play Therapy Special Topics (includes special populations and burgeoning models). Play therapy credit may not be awarded to non-mental health professionals Here’s the rationale for Primary Area Category 4: This training focuses on working with children who’ve experienced trauma. Using an Integrative Play Therapy model that uses neuroscience and attachment theory, participants will learn to conceptualize treatment issues using this theoretical lens through four stages of play therapy. This training teaches play therapy strategies to use with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma.
Cancellation Policy
Written communication to Cathi Spooner at info@rhplaytherapytraining.com is required one week before the training date no later than 11:59 pm Pacific time on May 10, 2025. No refunds will be given after that date.
Consent
By registering for this training, you are giving permission for Renewing Hearts Play Therapy Training (RHPTT) to use any photographs (screenshots) that are taken at the event containing your likeness for as long as RHPTT deems appropriate and desirable. This training will also be recorded, so you are giving permission for Renewing Hearts Play Therapy Training to record you during the virtual training. Photographs may be used on the RHPTT website, social media pages, and/or newsletter for any purpose. By completing the registration, you are also consenting to waive any rights to the photographs and the live webinar recording indefinitely. You also agree to allow your feedback and comments in the chat and evaluation form may also be used for future promotions as deemed appropriate and desirable by RHPTT. If you do not wish to have your photo used, it is your responsibility to notify RHPTT of your request to be omitted
