Presenter: Rochelle Ritzi, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S, & Josh Hawkins, MS, LPC, RPT

The presenters will share their experiences using play therapy with children with disabilities, including blindness, deafness, cerebral palsy, severe developmental delay, and more. They will also discuss how to advocate for more children with disabilities to receive play therapy services.

Learning Objectives
1. Identify at least 3 reasons why play therapy is an effective approach when working with children with disabilities.
2. Describe at least 3 practical modifications to their playroom that can accommodate children with disabilities to effectively express themselves.
3. List at least 3 resources to support children with disabilities and their families through advocacy.

Level: Intermediate
Primary Area: Special Topics
Content Focus: Diversity, TX Planning
Theoretical Basis: Child-Centered

Continuing Education:
2 Hrs

Presenter: Mary Bennett, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S & Linda Homeyer, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S

Having an understanding of a variety of play therapy theories is critical. We will compare and contrast the primary concepts of: Child-Centered, Gestalt, and Adlerian theories. We will use these theories in conceptualization, treatment planning, reflective responding and parent consultations.

Learning Objectives
1. Name the basic tenants of Adlerian play therapy theory.
2. Identify the basic tenants of Child Centered play therapy theory.
3. Demonstrate the ability to write a case conceptualization in each theory.

Level: Intermediate
Primary Area: Seminal or Historically Significant Theories | Skills and Methods
Content Focus: Theory / Process, TX Planning
Theoretical Basis: Adlerian | Child-Centered | Gestalt

Continuing Education:
2 Hrs

Presenter: Rebeca Chow, PhD, LPC, RPT-S

Play therapy can be challenging during the COVID era, so many ideas and treatment needs! During this workshop, therapists will enhance their play therapy practice by examining treatment through a multi-lens approach, integrating neurobiology with a variety of in-person or online play therapy techniques and resources.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe 3 physiological reactions to stress.
2. Identify 3 play therapy strategies to identify traumatic triggers in the play room.
3. Describe the rationale behind the central nervous system and traumatic events.

Level: Advanced
Primary Area: Seminal or Historically Significant Theories | Skills and Methods | Special Topics
Content Focus: Trauma, TX Planning
Theoretical Basis: Child-Centered | Developmental | Experiential

Continuing Education:
2 Hrs

Presenter: Peggy Ceballos, PhD & Phyllis Post, PhD, LPC-S, RPT

This workshop seeks to expand the multicultural and social justice competencies of play therapists through experiential activities and in-depth discussion of oppression and privilege. The audience will discuss case conceptualization, advocacy plans, and clinical implications for clients.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe ways that the experiential activities increased their self-awareness of multicultural and social justice competencies in play therapy.
2. Identify at least 2 strategies that increase awareness of issues of oppression and privilege relevant to children in play therapy
3. Explain the process of conceptualizing clients in play therapy from a social justice framework

Level: Intermediate Discussion
Primary Area: Special Topics
Content Focus: Diversity
Theoretical Basis: Experiential

Continuing Education:
2 Hrs

Presenter: Tara Gray, PhD, LPC, RPT

This interactive workshop addresses the effectiveness of culturally responsive, child-centered, filial play therapy in counseling refugee and immigrant children. Participants will explore current research, benefits and techniques for using play therapy to addresses trauma with Latinx, Muslim and Asian families.

Learning Objectives:
1. Cite current literature on evidence-based play therapy techniques with refugee and immigrant populations.
2. Identify new learning on evidence-based play therapy techniques with diverse families by identifying and describing the outcomes of research on play therapy with Somali, Asian and Latinx children and families.
3. Describe new learning on evidence-based art therapy techniques with diverse families by identifying and describing the outcomes of research on play therapy with Somali, Asian and Latinx children and families.

Level: Intermediate
Primary Area: Special Topics
Content Focus: Trauma, Diversity
Theoretical Basis: Child-Centered | Family Systems | Filial

Continuing Education:
2 Hrs