Foundations of Child-Centered Play Therapy and Filial Therapy

Mental health therapists often feel overwhelmed when they begin working with young children who aren’t able to engage in traditional talk therapy models. This course will prepare participants to engage children and their caregivers in two evidence-based models of play therapy. The first day of this training will focus on introducing participants to Child-Centered Play Therapy by reviewing the history, theoretical roots, and key skills. Participants will then have a chance to practice these skills on day two and learn how to integrate caregivers into the play therapy process using Filial Therapy. Throughout both days, the presenter will use clips from a beloved story - “Where the Wild Things Are” to make the concepts and skills come alive. Participants will have ample opportunity to ask questions, receive feedback, and learn new skills in a supportive environment. This course is specifically designed for therapists beginning their play therapy journey and looking to learn more about the seminal work of Virginia Axline, Gary Landreth, and Bernard and Louise Guerney.

This is a 2-day training and attendance is required both days.

Price: $480, 12 Hours (APT Credits and ASWB CEs available) (live,in person)

Refunds issued up to 30 days in advance; less a $25 fee for administrative costs.

Questions: Call Melissa Sellevaag, LICSW, 202-204-5033 or email [email protected]

Instructor: Emily Prusator, MSW, LICSW, RPT™

Emily is a licensed clinical social worker in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Human and Organizational Development and Women’s and Gender Studies with a minor in Child Development from Vanderbilt University. Emily earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University with a concentration in Gender Violence Intervention.

Emily has ten years of experience in fundraising, research, and advocacy for survivors of trauma. She has been providing direct, clinical grief and trauma services for children and their families for over seven years in school, community, and office settings. Emily’s earliest clinical work was in providing school-based Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to children ages 6-17 years with complex trauma. More recently, her work has centered on providing group and individual services to children and adults who are navigating trauma, loss, and the intersection of both.

Emily has received specialized training in play therapy, including integration of sand therapy, the expressive arts, sensory integration work, and particular assessment methods such as the Extended Play-Based Developmental Assessment. She has been a Registered Play Therapist since 2020. Emily is also certified in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (Level 1) and EMDR to support children, youth, and adults in processing traumatic experiences. She is currently pursuing training and consultation in the model of Sensory Motor Arousal and Regulation Treatment (SMART).

Workshop Agenda:

Day 1

9-9:10am Introductions and agenda review

9:10-10:10am Historical origins of CCPT

10:10-10:40am Theoretical roots of CCPT

10:40-10:50 Break

10:50-11:20am Empirical support for CCPT

11:20-12:20pm Core tenets of CCPT

12:20-1:05pm Lunch

1:05-2:05pm Core tenneits of CCPT

2:05-3:05pm CCPT Therapist skills

3:05-3:15pm Break

3:15pm-4:15pm CCPT Therapist skills

4:15-4:30pm Closing and questions

Day 2

9-9:10am Day one review

9:10-10:10am Involving caregivers

10:10-11:10 Origins and overview of filial therapy

11:10-11:20am Break

11:20-12:20pm Structuring and limit setting

12:20-1:05pm Lunch

1:05-1:35pm Structuring and limit setting

1:35-3:05pm Listening and following

3:05-3:15pm Break

3:15-4:15pm Caregiver training and exploring themes

4:15-4:30 Closing and questions

Learning Objectives:

After attending this workshop, participants will be able to:

-Describe the historical origins two seminal play therapy models - Child-Centered Play Therapy and Filial Therapy,

-Describe Axline’s eight principles of play therapy,

-Explain Landreth’s ten core tenets for relating to children,

-Identify at least ten themes in a child’s play,

-List the four stages of therapy in CCPT,

-Describe the four skills of Child-Centered Play Therapy,

-Identify at least five components of a play therapy room,

-Describe three key concepts about children’s play to caregivers,

-List at least two reasons for engaging a caregiver in sessions,

-Describe at least three reasons to set a limit in play therapy,

-Describe two examples of how to set a limit using the ACT method,

Demonstrate the five key skills of Filial Therapy

Target Audience: Licensed mental health professionals

Content Level: Beginner - Intermediate

Credits are available through APT and ASWB:

The Wendt Center is an APT Approved Provider APT 25-768. Mental health professionals completing this course receive 12 contact hours.

The Wendt Center for Loss and Healing, 1737, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: March 13, 2024 - March 13, 2027. Social workers completing this course receive 12 clinical continuing education credits.

** The Wendt Center reserves the right to cancel training sessions for under-enrollment. Should that occur participants will be provided with a refund or option to carry full credit forward to another trianing.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What happens to my registration fee if the training is cancelled?

In the event that a training needs to be canceled or postponed due to low enrollment participants will be notified and offered a refund or a transfer of registration.

What is your inclement weather policy?

The Wendt Center follows the Federal Government for all closures and delays. In the event the Federal Government is closed the training will be canceled and rescheduled. Participants will be offered a refund or a transfer of registration to the new date. If the Federal Government has a delayed opening the training will begin on time as scheduled.

What are the requirements for completing this course?

At the beginning of the training, participants will complete a pre-test to measure learning. Participants are required to attend for the entire duration of the workshop, signing in and out for the workshop and a lunch break. After the workshop is completed, participants will be required to complete an evaluation and post-test.

What is the process for receiving my certificate?

Participants will receive a link for an evaluation and post-test by email within one hour of the workshop conclusion. Once participants have electronically completed their evaluation and post-test, they will be sent a certificate for continuing education units by email within a week of completion. A participant's receipt of their certificate is not contingent upon achieving a particular score on their post-test.

How can I request a refund?

Course participants may request a refund up to 30 days prior to the training date. The registration fee, less a $25 administrative fee will be refunded. To request a refund within this timeframe, please e-mail [email protected]. Refunds will be issued electronically within approximately one week of your request.

How do I request an accommodation?

The Wendt Center’s training facilities are handicap accessible. Individuals needing special accommodations, please contact the Director of Training, Melissa Sellevaag at [email protected].

How can I file a complaint or grievance about the course or instructor?

The Wendt Center seeks to ensure equitable treatment of every person and to make every attempt to resolve grievances in a fair and transparent manner. Therefore, we are eager to address any refund requests, complaints about course content, speakers, facilities, non-receipt of certificates, and any other occurrences. To submit all other grievances, please send a written summary of the incident to Lindsay He, LICSW at [email protected]. All grievances will be documented and actions taken to address any grievances will be recorded. These records can be made available to the ASWB ACE program for review upon request. Grievances will receive, to the best of our ability, corrective action in order to prevent further problems. A copy of this policy is available on promotional material and upon request.

Host or Publisher Wendt Center Training Institute