Directive Play Therapy Through a Trauma Lens

Directive Play Therapy Through a Trauma Lens is a trauma-informed training that examines the intentional use of structure, guidance, and therapist-led interventions in play therapy. While honoring child-led principles, this training explores when and how directive play can enhance safety, regulation, skill-building, and trauma processing. Participants will learn how to thoughtfully select directives based on nervous system states, developmental needs, and trauma responses. Experiential activities, case examples, and adaptable interventions are provided for work with children, adolescents, and caregivers.

1. Distinguish between directive, non-directive, and integrative play therapy approaches within a trauma-informed framework.
2. Demonstrate at least three directive play therapy interventions that support regulation and trauma recovery.
3. Apply developmentally appropriate directive strategies with children and adolescents impacted by trauma.
4. Evaluate client readiness, nervous system cues, and therapeutic goals to determine when directive play is clinically indicated.
5. Explain how trauma impacts self-regulation, behavior, and engagement in therapeutic settings.
6. Apply directive play therapy techniques to enhance treatment outcomes while maintaining client autonomy and attunement.

My Crossing Paths Training Center has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7253. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. My Crossing Paths Counseling Center is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
My Crossing Paths Training Center is approved by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling. Provider # 50-37274.

My Crossing Paths Training Center has been approved by the Association for Play therapy, APT No. 23-705. Programs that do not qualify for APT credit are clearly identified.​

My Crossing Paths Training Center, has been approved as an Association of Social Work Boards Approved Continuing Education (ACE) Provider. ACE provider approval number is 1877. Training that are ACE approved with be identified on the training material with correct CE credit and type.

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Host or Publisher Julia Knach, My Crossing Paths Counseling Center