Welcome to the 37.5 hour FirstPlay Somatic Storytelling® Three-Level training series. This attachment-focused play therapy model uniquely combines the work of play therapy pioneer, Viola Brody who originated Developmental Play Therapy with its emphasis on the healing power of play and touch combined with Ericksonian-based  metaphorical storytelling. It is a parent-child attachment-based therapeutic storytelling model that is being offered in three different training levels that can be completed at your pace. It is your choice whether you decide to attend all three training levels or stop after Level I or II. 

*Each level may be purchased individually; however,  receive the highest savings by purchasing the entire training package. 

The training will be a combined total of 37.5 hours of APT non-contact credits. 

The 37.5 hours of non-contact play therapy training is available immediately upon purchase in recorded webinar format.  You will have access to this material 24/7 and can view according to your schedule. 

The Association for Play Therapy Credentialing Standards for the Registered Play Therapist requires training in three primary areas. 

The breakdown for this entire training series includes: 

  • 5 Hours Play Therapy Seminal or Historically Significant Theories: [Developmental-Vi Brody]

  • 27.5 Hours Play Therapy Skills and Methods: [Developmental Play Therapy, Eriksonian Play Therapy & Filial Play Therapy]

  • 5 Hours Play Therapy Special Topics Includes special populations and burgeoning models


Certification in FirstPlay Somatic Storytelling: 

To become certified in FirstPlay Somatic Storytelling, the student must first successfully complete the three levels of educational content (37.5 total hours) in the FirstPlay Somatic Storytelling series. 

Upon completion of all three levels of recorded content, the student needs to contact Dr. Courtney directly to schedule individual and/or group consultation calls to demonstrate competency in applying these concepts into clinical practice. 

Please review the Course Previews for each level!   Dr. Courtney will be happy to answer any questions that you have. You can contact her by email at [email protected]

Instructor(s)

Instructor Janet Courtney, PhD, LCSW, RPT-S

Janet Courtney, PhD, LCSW, RPT-S is the Founder of FirstPlay® Therapy and offers a Certification to Practitioners in FirstPlay® Infant Massage & Kinesthetic Storytelling®. Since 1997, she has been an Adjunct Professor at Barry University, Miami, FL where she also obtained her Doctoral degree in Social Work completing a dissertation in Developmental Play Therapy, touch and attachment. She is a Registered Play Therapy Supervisor and past President of the Florida Association for Play Therapy. Dr. Courtney is author/editor of the books Infant Play Therapy: Foundations, Models, Programs and Practice and Healing Child and Family Trauma through Expressive and Play Therapies: Art, Nature, Storytelling, Body, Mindfulness” book. She is co-author of the groundbreaking book, Touch in Child Counseling and Play Therapy: An Ethical and Clinical Guide, and is published in the International Journal of Play Therapy, the Journal of the American Art Therapy Association, and the Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture. Other publications include chapters in the books, Environmental Expressive Therapies: Nature-Assisted Theory and Practice (2017) and in Play-based Interventions for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (2012). Janet’s career has focused on attachment and bonding, and the importance of nurturing touch between parents and their young children. As a wholistic oriented practitioner, she believes in the power of infant massage and joyful “first-play” activities (for example, patty cake and peek-a-boo) as the best start for infant mental health.Dr. Courtney is an internationally recognized play therapist and has been invited to speak on topics of infant and childhood play therapy in England, Ireland, Morocco, Russia, Ukraine, and the Cayman Islands. She has acted as a consultant to several Florida based children’s agencies, and supervises clinicians seeking Florida board licensure, as well as, those seeking Certification as a Registered Play Therapist. Dr. Courtney has developed a new process of storytelling called FirstPlay® Kinesthetic Storytelling® which merges imagery relaxation skills with joyful first-play interactive parent-child activities. Her children’s book, The Magic Rainbow Hug©, makes this technique directly accessible to professionals, parents, and the children who can most benefit from its use.

Bundle includes

Here are all the courses that are included in your bundle.