Jen Taylor Play Therapy Services

Learn what to expect from this course by watching this welcome video:

Course description:

There is an established and growing body of research evidence showing support for the theory that children who have opportunities to connect with nature gain numerous benefits. Despite these research findings, paradoxically, children and families are more out-of-touch with nature than ever before. Grounded in the therapeutic powers of play, this Nature Play Therapy Training Program provides 22 hours of training consisting of 11 modules led by 5 Registered Play Therapist-Supervisors and Trainers (Dr. Janet Courtney, Dr. Roz Heiko, Jamie Lynn Langley, LCSW, Rose LaPiere, LPC and Lynn Louise Wonders, LPC). This training program will introduce practitioners to the utilization of nature’s multi-sensory items to intervene in varied childhood diagnoses and problem areas. Participants will learn how known play therapy interventions such as therapeutic storytelling, sand tray play therapy, Gestalt play therapy and many others can utilize sand, natural clay, gems and minerals, stones, feathers, shells, mandalas, nature sounds and other earth-based components within play therapy sessions. We will address ways to bring elements of nature into the totality of the play therapy process with review of theory and practical interventions for all stages of therapy from initial rapport building through connecting and joining interventions to the termination and closing process.

Learning objectives:

1. Identify 3 reasons nature combining nature and play can be beneficial for children and families according to the research as considerations for play therapists.

2. Identify at least two ways play-based activities involving nature can improve self-regulation and creative problem-solving as part of increasing personal strengths in play therapy.

3. Name 3 reasons based on research for incorporating mindfulness skills into the play therapy process for children and families.

4. Name 5 Nature Play Therapy interventions that helps children and families cultivate a mindfulness practice.

5. State one way that each of the following elements of nature (gemstones, feathers, shells, clay, sand) can be therapeutically integrated into play therapy sessions.

6. Identify two different therapeutic powers of play that the intervention of “I KNOW MY YES’s and NO’s” meets.

7. State 2 ways that each of these elements of nature (air, earth, water and fire) can be utilized therapeutically within sand therapy sessions.

8. List at least 2 theoretical approaches to the utilization of sand in play therapy.

9. List 5 nature based sounds and create a nature sound map that that outlines nervous system states of arousal.

10. Identify 3 therapeutic powers of play when incorporating nature sounds in play therapy.

11. Cite at least two considerations for play therapists regarding the responsible use of nature items for expressive art activities in Nature Play Therapy.

12. Identify at least three therapeutic powers of play that are experienced utilizing nature-based expressive art activities.

13. Explain how and why incorporating objects and substances found in Nature in the play room can benefit both child and adults clients.

14. List 10 play therapy interventions that include the use of objects and substances found in Nature.

15. Name the 4 gateway quadrants of the Sandplay Journey Map for use in sandwork in play therapy interventions.

16. Define 3 Jungian terms related to the journey motif (archetype, symbol and shadow) when working with clients in sand and play therapy.

17. Demonstrate two ways how to implement clay in play therapy practice through hands-on interactive experiences to promote sense of identity and self-worth in clients.

18. Characterize two ways how nature play therapy can reframe trauma experiences, increase self-regulation and connect to a mind-body awareness through both a Gestalt Play Therapy encounter.

19. Demonstrate 5 ways to cultivate somatic awareness in play therapy

20. Demonstrate 5 ways to cultivate sensory awareness in play therapy

21. Explain the clinical significance of the termination process specific to play therapy

22. List 5 Nature Play Therapy closure intervention activities.