Principles of School-Based Play Therapy
| Course code: | 26-SS-189 |
|---|---|
| Dates: | June 5-6, 2026 Alternate Course Dates |
| Meets: | F and Sa from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM, 2 sessions |
| Hours: | 16.00 |
| Location: | ChildSavers |
| Instructor: | Instructor Information |
| Fee: | $349.00 |
Description
In this foundational workshop, you will explore the healing attributes of play and both the advantages and limitations of school-based play therapy within the school context. We will review play therapy theory and use case-based learning to apply the best available evidence to real-world examples. This workshop includes instruction in the building blocks of play therapy practice and an examination of the opportunities for equity and inclusion that a school-based play therapy practice provides. You will learn how to use developmental stages to contextualize common play behaviors and apply this information within multi-disciplinary school-based processes (e.g. ChildFind meetings, Individualized Educational Plan). In addition, we will explore appropriate treatment options based on case examples and consider circumstances when play therapy may be contraindicated. This course provides prerequisite knowledge for the rest of the Play Therapy training series offered by VCU Continuing and Professional Education.
This workshop is designed to help you:
- Describe the healing attributes of play and the advantages and limitations of school-based play therapy within the school milieu.
- Compare the relative value of school-based play therapy to other kinds of play therapy service delivery settings, including in-home and office-based settings.
- Compare the merits of structure and unstructured play and articulate a rationale for each, using case examples.
- Explain how play therapy informs prognosis and diagnosis across the course of treatment.
- Use developmental stages to contextualize common play behaviors and apply this information within multi-disciplinary school-based processes (e.g. ChildFind meetings, Individualized Educational Plan).
- Review primary theories and models of play therapy with an emphasis on Charles Schaefer’s therapeutic powers of play, Child-Centered Play Therapy, and Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy (no prior knowledge of these theories required).
- Discuss the building blocks of play therapy (symbolic communication, containment, aesthetic distance, and mastery) and use them to assess therapeutic interventions and supplies.
- Identify cultural uses of play and assess play therapy interventions through diverse cultural lenses and according to the values of organizational cultures present in school settings.
- Plan tools and supplies needed in a fully-functioning school-based play therapy office.
- Review “top ten” common reasons for school-based play therapy referrals and create a personal statement of practice for non-clinical partners.
- Select appropriate treatment options based on case examples and explain circumstances when play therapy may be contraindicated.
Notes
VCU Continuing and Professional Education is an Association for Play Therapy (APT) Approved Provider #15-397.This in-person training is approved for 16 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.
