AutPlay Therapy Training

This AutPlay Therapy Training is Hosted by The Loyola Play Therapy Center & Sponsored by the Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Program at the Loyola Center for Counseling & Education.

When: Friday, June 7th and Saturday, June 8th, 2024 from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Where: Danna Center at Loyola University New Orleans

This is an intensive training that focuses on teaching the AutPlay Therapy framework, integrative family play therapy for working with neurodivergent children (autistic, ADHD, sensory differences, learning differences, developmental disabilities) and their families. AutPlay Therapy emphasizes a neurodiversity affirming and informed approach and harnesses the therapeutic powers of play to help address mental health issues for neurodivergent children and their families. This training presents an overview of autistic and neurodivergent children and how to build relationship, assess for needs, and establish therapy goals.

O B J E C T I V E S

1. Explain neurodiversity and implementing a neurodiversity affirming approach.

2. Describe the components of AutPlay Therapy including conducting an AutPlay Therapy session, theoretical underpinnings, phases of therapy, assessment and screening instruments, and goal planning.

3. Describe common mental health goals addressed in AutPlay Therapy.

4. Identify several structured play therapy interventions to use for addressing goals.

5. Discuss how to involve parents and other family members as co-change agents (partners).

6. Describe the AutPlay model of dysregulation.

7. Identify play therapy interventions to address dysregulation issues.

8. Implement the AutPlay Follow Me Approach, designed for children with higher needs.

9. Describe how to work with parents in implementing AutPlay Follow Me play times at home. 10. Explain research and evidence-based practices in AutPlay Therapy.

11. Outline the theoretical underpinnings of AutPlay, including seminal play therapy theories and other integrated methods.

12. Identify at least 6 AutPlay interventions to increase experiential knowledge.

Host or Publisher Loyola Center for Counseling & Education