Jen Taylor Play Therapy Services

Course Description:

Welcome to a comprehensive and dynamic 21-day program designed to elevate your skills and proficiency in play therapy and child counseling. This immersive experience is crafted for professionals seeking to deepen their understanding and application of therapeutic techniques specifically tailored for working with children.

Overview:

This self-study course is designed as a 21 day challenge to revitalize your play therapy practice. However, the course is self-paced so you can go as slowly or as quickly as you would like (and come back to revisit the content as needed.

This course is eligible for 15 hours of CE credits and can be counted as seminal theory and/or skills and methods (Child-Centered Play Therapy). 

The 15 hours includes:

• BOOK: Reading the Play Therapy Basic Training Manual Book. A view-only digital copy of this book is available as part of this course.  If you would like a personal copy, this book can be purchased at any retailer of your choice or through Dr. Mullen directly here.
• LECTURE: 4 Hours of Recorded Video Content & other course materials
• ACTION: 13 Guided Reflective Activities (on your own)

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Describe the developmental foundations of play therapy.

2. Identify why play therapy is a developmental, psychological and relational match in child counseling.

3. Explain therapeutic relationship building, and the use of metaphor in play therapy.

4. Develop skills  to engage children in the therapeutic process.

5. Identify and differentiate between various modalities of play therapy.

6. Enhance observational skills to assess and interpret children's play behaviors, emotions, and communication patterns as a means of understanding their internal world and addressing underlying psychological issues.

7. Identify strategies for establishing a safe and therapeutic environment conducive to play therapy sessions.

8. Discuss and apply considerations for cultural sensitivity, confidentiality, and ethical practice in the practice of play therapy.

9. Gain insight into the role of the therapist in facilitating play therapy sessions, including techniques for setting boundaries, managing challenging behaviors, and promoting emotional regulation and self-expression in children.

10. Explore the integration of play therapy as a trauma-informed approach.

11. Practice the integration of play therapy and consultation with parents and professionals.

12. Enhance cultural competence in working with diverse populations of children and families, including awareness of cultural beliefs, values, and norms that may impact the therapeutic process.

13. Develop practical skills in conducting play therapy.

14. Reflect on personal biases, assumptions, and countertransference issues that may arise in the context of working with children and families, and implement strategies for self-awareness and professional growth

Program Highlights:

Foundations of Play Therapy:

• Explore the theoretical underpinnings of play therapy and its significance in child counseling.
• Gain insights into the developmental stages of play and its therapeutic applications.

Creative Interventions:

• Learn a diverse array of creative and innovative play therapy interventions for addressing various child counseling challenges.

• Develop skills in adapting interventions to meet the unique needs of individual children.

Cultural Competence in Play Therapy:

• Understand the importance of cultural competence in child counseling and play therapy.

• Acquire tools and strategies for providing culturally sensitive and inclusive therapeutic services.

Trauma-Informed Play Therapy:

• Gain expertise in implementing trauma-informed play therapy approaches.

• Learn how to recognize and address trauma-related challenges in children through play-based interventions.

Ethical Considerations:

• Explore ethical considerations and best practices when working with children and their families.

Building Therapeutic Relationships:

• Develop skills in establishing and nurturing therapeutic relationships with children.

• Explore the nuances of building trust and rapport through play-based interactions.

Virtual Play Therapy:

• Embrace the possibilities of incorporating technology into play therapy interventions.

• Learn about ethical considerations and practical applications of technology in child counseling.

Continuing Education Credits

Integrative Counseling Services, PLLC is approved by The Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to play therapy. Our provider number is 06-168. This course provides 15 non-contact APT credits. 

Integrative Mental Health Counseling Services, PLLC is recognized  by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for  licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0085. This course provides 15 CE credits. 

Integrative  Mental Health Counseling Services, PLLC is recognized by the New York  State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved  provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0308. This course provides 15 CE credits.