Introduction to Family Play Therapy
| Course code: | 26-SS-182 |
|---|---|
| Dates: | January 16-17, 2026 Alternate Course Dates |
| Meets: | F and Sa from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, 2 sessions |
| Hours: | 12.00 |
| Location: | ChildSavers and Online |
| Instructor: | Instructor Information |
| Fee: | $349.00 |
Description
This introductory course in Family Play Therapy provides a comprehensive understanding of the history, theories, and practical applications of play therapy within family dynamics. Participants will engage in both virtual and in-person training that blends essential theory with hands-on practice, preparing them to effectively incorporate play therapy into family therapy settings. No previous play therapy training is required for this course, though it is encouraged.
This workshop is designed to help you:
- Apply fundamental principles and theories of family play therapy to engage both children and parents effectively.
- Demonstrate key play therapy techniques that promote healthy family dynamics and lead to successful therapeutic outcomes.
- Develop skills in planning, supporting, and delivering feedback to parents, and learn to structure and implement effective family-based play assessments.
- Identify and address play-based themes that increase practitioner confidence and inform the development of effective family treatment plans.
Virtual Session (4 Non-Contact Hours):
- Explore the intersection of play therapy and family therapy, focusing on seminal theories and their therapeutic benefits to promote healthy family dynamics.
- Learn foundational concepts of play therapy and how they can be applied to enhance family relationships and support healthy family dynamics.
- Understand the historical evolution of family play therapy, providing theoretical grounding for practical application in therapy sessions.
In-Person Session (8 Contact Hours):
- Gain hands-on experience using play therapy techniques to engage families and strengthen parent-child relationships.
- Set up and review family-based play assessments, and learn how to observe and interpret child and family behavior during play therapy sessions.
- Practice delivering constructive feedback to parents and caregivers, including role-playing real-life scenarios.
- Explore tools, materials, and strategies necessary for creating therapeutic play spaces that encourage effective communication and interaction.
- Implement directive and non-directive play therapy interventions to support parenting skill development and build parental confidence.
- Learn how to document therapeutic progress and adjust interventions to foster ongoing growth in family dynamics.
Notes
VCU Continuing and Professional Education is an Association for Play Therapy (APT) Approved Provider #15-397.The in-person portion of this training is approved for 8 APT contact training hours. The Live-Webinar portion of this training is approved for 4 APT non-contact hours.
(1 hour = 60 minutes of instruction; breaks/meals excluded). Effective April 1, 2025, APT’s instruction requirements specify a minimum of 75 contact (in-person) hours toward the 150-hour total, and allow up to 75 non-contact hours, which include all other formats such as live webinars. For definitions and details, see APT’s guidelines at https://www.a4pt.org/
Synchronous In-Person Sessions
Our in person sessions are typically held at ChildSavers in Richmond, VA and offer an opportunity to interact with the instructor and other participants. There will be a one-hour break per day. Please bring your own lunch for the sessions. If an alternate location is selected, it will be listed in the registration link.
Attendance & CE Hours
Participants must attend the full workshop to receive APT continuing education hours from VCU, the certificate of completion, and the digital badge.
Required Assessments
VCU conducts a two-part assessment in each workshop. To earn educational hours toward an Association for Play Therapy (APT) credential, participants must pass two assessments. The activity assessment (scored rubric) is completed during the workshop through small- and large-group activities and discussion. The second assessment is a multiple-choice test that is sent after the training and completed online. Only participants who pass the activity rubric will receive the link and be eligible to take the online test. Both assessments must be completed within 30 days of the workshop date.
Creative Materials
ChildSavers staff will provide all creative materials for experiential work during this workshop.
Health & Attendance
To help maintain a healthy learning environment, participants who are ill (e.g., fever, new/worsening respiratory or gastrointestinal symptoms) should not attend in-person training. If you become ill before the workshop, please notify ssschuetz@vcu.edu as soon as possible to discuss transfer options. Requests made after the workshop has started will not be accommodated.
Program Format Changes
If the training needs to move to a teleconference format, participants will be notified at least 48 hours before the start date to adjust travel plans..
Questions?
Should you have any questions about the workshop, please contact Shelly Schuetz at 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.com including:
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/courses/policies.html#accommodations
There are still openings remaining at this time.
