Principles of Play Therapy
| Course code: | 27-SS-171 |
|---|---|
| Dates: | April 16-17, 2027 Alternate Course Dates |
| Meets: | F and Sa from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, 2 sessions |
| Hours: | 16.00 |
| Location: | ChildSavers |
| Instructor: | Katie Francis, LCSW, CTRP-C, RPT-S |
| Fee: | $349.00 |
Description
In this foundational workshop, participants will explore the history of play therapy and compare multiple models of play therapy. The training examines Child-Centered Play Therapy and Cognitive-Behavioral Play Therapy theory as they apply to various populations and presenting symptoms. Participants will delve into the rationale, philosophy, and historical foundations essential to professional practice in the field of play therapy.
Participants will explore how to use play therapy with children in playrooms, how to effectively utilize available space to create a therapeutic play environment, and how to develop a mobile play therapy kit. This workshop builds the foundational skills needed to implement play therapy effectively and confidently with clients using developmentally appropriate play-based interventions.
This workshop is designed to help participants:- Describe how play, play therapy, and the play therapist contribute to the therapeutic relationship and course of treatment.
- Explain the history and foundations of play therapy and communicate two historically significant play therapy theories to caregivers and colleagues.
- Discuss the differences between and rationale for using non-directive and directive play therapy techniques.
- Differentiate between prescriptive and integrated approaches to play therapy.
- Apply principles of play therapy to the selection of therapeutic toys and the organization and care of a professional play therapy office.
- Communicate with parents from a variety of cultural backgrounds about the purpose of play therapy, collaboration in treatment, and indicators of client progress.
- Set and enforce limits in play therapy in an effective and therapeutic manner.
- Identify the stages of play therapy, including relevant ethical and cultural considerations, and demonstrate appropriate termination of play therapy treatment.
Notes
Instructor(s)
Katie Francis, LCSW, CTRP-C, RPT-S
APT Continuing Education Information
VCU Continuing and Professional Education is approved by the Association for Play Therapy (APT) to offer continuing education specific to play therapy. APT Approved Provider 15-397.
This training provides APT contact (in-person) continuing education hours.
For information about APT credentialing requirements, including contact and non-contact training hours, please visit https://www.a4pt.org.
Training Format
This program is delivered in person and is typically held at ChildSavers in Richmond, Virginia, unless otherwise noted on the registration page.
For full-day trainings, a one-hour lunch break is scheduled. Participants are responsible for providing their own lunch. Breaks, meals, and other non-instructional activities are not included in the calculation of APT continuing education hours.
Attendance, Assessments, and Awarding of CE Hours
To receive APT continuing education hours, participants must:
1. Attend the entire training.
2. Successfully complete both required assessments.
Required Assessments
Assessment 1: Activity Assessment (Scored Rubric)
Completed during the training through participation in small- and large-group activities and discussions. The assessment is evaluated by the instructor using a scored rubric. Participants must successfully complete this assessment before receiving access to the online multiple-choice test.
Assessment 2: Online Multiple-Choice Test
Following successful completion of the activity assessment, participants will receive access to a post-training online multiple-choice test. A passing score of 80% or higher is required. The online test must be successfully completed within three weeks of the conclusion of the training.
Awarding of APT Continuing Education Hours
APT continuing education hours will be awarded only after participants have attended the entire training and successfully completed both required assessments. Partial credit will not be awarded.
Upon successful completion, participants will receive a certificate of completion documenting the training title, date(s), instructor name(s) and credentials, number and type of APT continuing education hours earned, and APT Approved Provider information. This certificate may be submitted as documentation of completed training when applying for APT credentials.
Creative Materials
ChildSavers staff will provide all creative materials required for experiential activities during this workshop.
Health & Attendance
To maintain a healthy learning environment, participants who are ill (e.g., fever or new/worsening respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms) should not attend in-person training.
If you become ill prior to the workshop, please notify the CPE Program Manager as soon as possible to discuss transfer options. Requests made after the workshop has begun will not be accommodated.
Program Format Changes
If circumstances require the training to transition from in-person delivery to a live synchronous online format (live webinar), participants will be notified at least 48 hours prior to the start date.
In the event of a format change, the program will be delivered as non-contact (live webinar) training. All attendance and assessment requirements will remain in effect.
Questions?
For questions regarding the workshop, please contact:
Shelly Schuetz, Program Manager & School Liaison, ssschuetz@vcu.edu or (804) 828-1322.
Cancellation and Refund Policies:
You may cancel your registration up until two weeks before the workshop start date, and receive a full refund minus a $35 credit card processing fee. After that date, no refunds will be given. Cancellations must be received via email at ocpe@vcu.edu
In the unlikely event that this workshop is cancelled or postponed due to insufficient enrollments or unforeseen circumstances, the university will fully refund registration fees, but cannot be held responsible for any other expenses, including change or cancellation charges to include but not limited to airlines, hotels, travel agencies, or other organizations.
Transfer Policy:
Workshop registrations may be transferred to a different workshop or person if requested in writing via email at ocpe@vcu.edu by the cancellation deadline. The participant must meet all prerequisites or qualifications required by the program.
Student/Participant Conduct:
Participants are subject to all university policies applicable to students, unless a specific university or VCU Continuing and Professional Education policy explicitly states otherwise. University policies governing students are available at https://vcu.public.doctract.comand include but are not limited to the following:
Student Code of Conduct
Honor System and Standards of Academic Conduct
Preventing and Responding to Discrimination
Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy-Interim
Sex-Based Misconduct Policy-Interim
For Academic Accommodations, please visit https://ocpe.vcu.edu/resources/policies/
There are still openings remaining at this time.
