Addressing Childhood Loss and Grief through Play Therapy
| Course code: | 26-SS-185 |
|---|---|
| Dates: | February 14, 2026 Alternate Course Dates |
| Meets: | Sa from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM |
| Hours: | 8.00 |
| Location: | ChildSavers |
| Instructor: | Katie Francis |
| Fee: | $199.00 |
Description
Prerequisite: Principles of Play Therapy or a previous workshop or class that covers the principles of play therapy.
This training focuses on the sensitive and complex process of helping children navigate grief through play therapy. Participants will learn how grief affects children differently based on their developmental stages and how to apply play therapy techniques to support their healing journey. The session will cover various theoretical models that address grief in children and will provide participants with practical tools to create a safe space for expression and processing within the play therapy playroom. Participants will also explore how to engage parents and guardians in the play therapy process, considering family dynamics and cultural factors.
This training focuses on the sensitive and complex process of helping children navigate grief through play therapy. Participants will learn how grief affects children differently based on their developmental stages and how to apply play therapy techniques to support their healing journey. The session will cover various theoretical models that address grief in children and will provide participants with practical tools to create a safe space for expression and processing within the play therapy playroom. Participants will also explore how to engage parents and guardians in the play therapy process, considering family dynamics and cultural factors.
This workshop is designed to help you:
- Explore theoretical approaches to understanding and treating grief in children through play therapy.
- Develop a grief-informed play therapy environment that facilitates healing.
- Identify developmental considerations in play therapy for grief in children and adolescents.
- Practice play therapy interventions tailored to support children through the grieving process.
- Utilize directive, non-directive, expressive, and sand tray play therapy techniques specific to grief work.
- Discuss the role of family and cultural influences in the play therapy process for grief.
- Engage parents/guardians in supporting children through play therapy grief treatment.
Notes
Participants have the option to enroll in either Addressing Childhood Loss and Grief through Play Therapy or Healing Childhood Trauma through Play Therapy training individually. However, if you wish to participate in both trainings, please consider enrolling in Healing Childhood Trauma, Loss, and Grief through Play Therapy, which offers a discounted rate for enrolling in both sessions.To receive the discounted rate, you must select this option during your initial registration. We are unable to retroactively apply the bundle discount if you register for one or both courses individually.
VCU Continuing and Professional Education is an Association for Play Therapy (APT) Approved Provider #15-397.
This in-person training is approved for 8 APT contact training 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.
