*Supervisor Training

Play therapy supervision requires supervisors to use a theoretical framework to guide their work. Workshop participants will explore established models of clinical supervision and personal beliefs about supervision to begin to identify and develop a play therapy supervision theoretical framework.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe and critique at least 4 theories/models of play therapy supervision.
• Identify at least 1 theory of play therapy supervision that he/she finds most appealing.
• Identify at least 3 personal beliefs about play therapy supervision that provide a foundation for developing his/her own theory for play therapy supervision.

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

• Seminal / Historically Significant Theories
• Skills and Methods
• Special Topics

Complex trauma can be overt/covert and is typically ongoing/repetitive. As such complex trauma should be addressed, in stages, with Neurobiologically-Informed Play Therapy that includes building on safety and security of caregivers and community, being developmentally sensitive, and addressing affective-behavioral dysregulation.

Learning Objectives:

• Conceptualize what is meant by "neurobiologically-informed" play therapy.
• Describe the characteristics of complex and/or developmental trauma and be able to identify the neurobiological changes associated with complex trauma.
• Discuss the components of evidence based, relationally-focused, play therapy and incorporate aspects of these treatments into their play therapy practice.
• Assess the level and type of complex trauma caused by varying types and duration of trauma.
• Determine a play therapy treatment course of action (frequency & length), based on assessment results, to address the complex trauma.
• Develop play therapy treatment plans that address the issues arising from complex trauma.

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

• Seminal / Historically Significant Theories
• Skills and Methods
• Special Topics

New practitioners frequently identify childhood abuse and trauma as conditions they are least prepared to address. This workshop will provide foundational and clinically-grounded starting points for beginning play therapists who are working with victims of abuse and trauma.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify efficacious trauma treatments and core components of trauma treatment
• Describe strategies for integrating directive and expressive play therapy interventions within frameworks of trauma treatment to reduce posttraumatic symptoms and reactions
• Link specific play therapy techniques to core components of trauma treatment
• Discuss the basic intersection of neurobiology, trauma, and play therapy
• Describe how play therapy can be utilized to access and reprocess traumatic experiences
• Explore risks in trauma work including monitoring countertransference and avoiding vicarious trauma and develop strategies to alleviate these risks

Play Therapy Primary Areas:

• Seminal / Historically Significant Theories
• Skills and Methods
• Special Topics