IL-APT Annual Conference 2025

The Illinois Association for Play Therapy (IL-APT) is pleased to offer a two-day training opportunity for mental health practitioners and graduate students. We will be offering four separate workshops on Thursday and Friday. Participants can register for one or both days. CEs will be available for Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Social Workers specific to Play Therapy* with 6 CEs offered for each day of attendance.

Day 1: Playful Insights: An Introduction to Adlerian Play Therapy and I Brought My Crayons: Utilizing Art Techniques in Adlerian Play Therapy

Day 2: Creative Inclusive Spaces: Supporting LGBTQ+ Youth and Families in Play Therapy and From Roots, Trunks, Branches to Leaves: Preserving Play Therapy Through Supervision Grounded in Theory, Competency Development and The Therapeutic Powers of Play.

More information on the presentations can be found below!

Friday, February 7, 2025

9:00 am - 12:00 pm CE: 3 live contact hours

Workshop Description:

In this fun, interactive workshop, learn the basics of Adlerian play therapy, a method of integrating the concepts and techniques of Individual Psychology with play therapy skills and strategies. We'll unpack key concepts like social interest, lifestyle, and the importance of belonging, and see how these ideas shape the therapeutic process. Learn how play can be a powerful tool for understanding children's inner worlds, fostering self-expression, and building a strong therapeutic relationship. Gain hands-on experience with specific Adlerian play therapy techniques. We'll explore how to use toys, games, and creative activities to help children. This workshop is designed to be hands-on and engaging. Expect group discussions, case studies, and role-playing activities to deepen your understanding and build your confidence.

Learning Objectives (after the workshop, participants will be able to):

1. List and describe the four stages of Adlerian play therapy.
2. Explain how to use encouragement and metacommunication as play therapy skills in Adlerian play therapy.
3. Describe how to use metaphors to help the child gain insight and new skills.

Theoretical Basis: Humanistic (Adlerian)

This is an Introductory/Intermediate Level training focused on Play Therapy Theories, Methods and Skills.

Friday, February 7, 2025

1:30 pm - 4:30 pm CE: 3 live contact hours

Workshop Description:

During this experiential class, you will learn art techniques and interventions to explore the phases and lifestyle concepts of Adlerian play therapy. This fun, engaging, interactive workshop will provide practical strategies you can use immediately with your clients. These techniques will be low-cost and will assist you in gaining insight into your client’s patterns of belief, feelings, and behavior. Join us for an exciting day of creativity, fun, and play. Don’t forget your crayons!

Learning Objectives (after the workshop, participants will be able to):

1. List and describe 3 art techniques to build rapport with clients in Adlerian play therapy.
2. List and describe 3 art techniques to gain insight into lifestyle in Adlerian play therapy.
3. List and describe 2 family art Adlerian play therapy techniques.

Theoretical Basis: Humanistic (Adlerian)

This is an Intermediate Level training focused on Play Therapy Methods and Skills.

Day One Schedule:

8:30 am - 9:00 am: Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 am - 12:00 pm: Morning Training Session

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm: Lunch (on your own)

1:30 pm - 4:30 pm: Afternoon Training Session

Saturday, February 8, 2024

9:00 am - 12:00 pm CE: 3 live contact hours

Workshop Description:

This interactive workshop explores how play therapists can create inclusive, affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ youth through culturally responsive practices, including the use of gender-neutral language, addressing microaggressions, and equipping caregivers with supportive resources. Participants will learn how to adapt their therapeutic approach and playroom environment to honor diverse gender identities and sexual orientations while building trust and promoting resilience in young clients. Hands-on activities, real-world case studies, and a review of inclusive resources will empower therapists to enhance their multicultural competence and foster healing relationships.

Learning Objectives (after the workshop, participants will be able to):

1. Evaluate personal countertransference by completing a self-reflection activity focused on biases and assumptions and discuss strategies to mitigate these in session.

2. Assess their play therapy practice for inclusivity by completing a checklist of affirming practices and identifying at least three areas for improvement.

3. Create a caregiver engagement plan that includes providing three specific resources, such as PFLAG guides, The Trevor Project materials, or ACLU resources, to support families of LGBTQ+ youth.

Theoretical Basis: Humanistic (CCPT)

This is an Intermediate Level training focused on Play Therapy Special Topics

Therapeutic Powers of Play: The therapeutic powers of play will be integrated throughout the session.

Saturday, February 8, 2024

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm CE: 3 live contact hours

Workshop Description:

This workshop will examine the growing and evolving role of the play therapist supervisor and their role in the preservation of the profession of play therapy with a particular focus on their role to ensure proper training and dissemination of information to increase and enhance the credibility of play therapy among mental health professionals and the community at large. Throughout the workshop presenters will guide attendees through the importance of theory, case conceptualization, core competency development in the play therapist, the therapeutic powers of play, and the implications of all for the play therapy supervisor.

Learning Objectives (after the workshop, participants will be able to):

1. Discuss the role of the play therapy supervisor in supporting their supervisee’s development through identifying a model of supervision to guide their approach

2. Implement a case conceptualization process, enabling them to guide supervisees in linking theoretical frameworks to practical interventions for improved client outcomes.

3. Describe one way to include the therapeutic powers of play in supervision.

Theoretical Basis: Humanistic (CCPT, Adlerian, Attachment)

This is an Advanced Level training focused on Play Therapy Special Topics: Supervision

Therapeutic Powers of Play: All therapeutic powers of play will be addressed in some capacity, some more in-depth than others, all within the lens of the supervisor/supervisee relationship and the importance of the role they play in the therapeutic relationships.

Day Two Schedule:

8:30 - 9:00 am: Registration and Continental Breakfast

9:00 am - 12:00 pm: Morning Training Session

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Lunch Provided (IL-APT Annual Business Meeting will be held from 12:00 -12:30 pm)

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Afternoon Training Session

About our Speakers:

Kim Feeney (she/her) MA, LISW, RPT-S - is a highly credentialed and experienced Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S) based in Davenport, IA. With over a decade of experience in the field, she has dedicated the past seven years to private practice, specializing in Adlerian play therapy and sandtray therapy. Kim's expertise lies in working with children and families to understand the underlying reasons behind behaviors and develop new, effective strategies to address those needs. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in Illinois, demonstrating her commitment to professional development and adherence to high standards of practice.

Kim's extensive training includes certifications as an Advanced Certified Adlerian Play Therapist, Approved Consultant and Teacher from the League of Extraordinary Adlerian Play Therapists, and an Internationally Credentialed Sandtray Therapist Provider with the International Association of Sandtray Therapists. She is also an EMDR Certified Therapist and Consultant, approved CE provider- EMDRIA, AutPlay Certified Therapist, and a Registered Clinician with the Association for Treatment of Trauma and Attachment in Children.

In addition to her clinical work, Kim is actively involved in professional development and education. She is a Trained in Theraplay Levels I & II, a Registered Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors Course Facilitator, and an NBCC Approved CE Provider. She is also an active member of several professional organizations, including the National Association of Social Workers, the Association for Play Therapy, and the International Association for Sandtray Therapists.

Kim's dedication to her field extends to her role as a former National Association of Social Workers Iowa Board Member and Southeast Branch Chair and her involvement in various committees for the Association for Play Therapy and the International Association for Sandtray Therapists. Her commitment to continuing education and professional development ensures that her clients receive the highest quality of care.

Cameron Houin (they/them) PhD, LPC, RPT- is the Director of the Counselor Education department at Viterbo University. In addition to being a faculty member, they are a licensed professional counselor and registered play therapist. Their service to the counseling profession and primary research interests largely revolve around diversity and social justice in counselor education and preparation. Dr. Houin currently serves as a co-chair of the Social Justice and Equity committee on Viterbo’s campus, and they are an active member of SAIGE’s (a chartered division of the American Counseling Association) Public Policy committee.

Brittany Massengale Houin (she/her), PhD, LPC, RPT, - is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at Viterbo University in Wisconsin. A licensed professional counselor and registered play therapist, Dr. Massengale Houin specializes in integrating play therapy and expressive arts into clinical practice and counselor education. Her research focuses on the long-term impact of child-centered play therapy, creative supervision approaches, and professional identity development for counselors-in-training. With extensive experience in both clinical and academic settings, she is passionate about fostering creativity and connection through play to support growth and healing for diverse populations.

Gloria M. Cockerill (she/her), MA, LCSW, RPT-S - is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor and a Certified Theraplay® Practitioner, Supervisor and Trainer. She received her undergraduate degree in child development from Tufts University and a master’s degree in clinical social work from The University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy, and Practice. She has practiced extensively with children, adolescents, and families impacted by trauma, attachment disruptions, and a broad range of social, emotional, and behavioral challenges in a variety of settings. She is passionate about helping children and their caregivers find hope, the strength to persevere and heal together, forming stronger relationships. Gloria’s work with families is informed by attachment, family systems and Adlerian theory and incorporates strengths-based directive and non-directive play therapy approaches.

Sonya Lorelle (she/her), PhD, LPC, RPT-S, NCC - is a Clinical Professor and Assistant Program Director for the Family Institute at Northwestern University, where she developed the play therapy course for the child and adolescent specialization. She is a licensed professional counselor in Illinois, and a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. She has provided services to families and children and developed and implemented adult education programs on parenting. In addition to play therapy, Lorelle also has an interest in international counseling and has trained counselors in play therapy and provided services overseas, including in India, Thailand, and Bhutan. Her play therapy practice and supervision is rooted in Adlerian theory. Her contributions to the field have been recognized with several awards, including the Counselor Educator of the Year Award for a doctoral program from the Association of Child and Adolescent Counseling in Illinois (2018), the North Central Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (NCACES) Outstanding Professional Teaching Award (2018), and the Outstanding Teaching Award from Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) in 2019.

Host or Publisher Illinois Association for Play Therapy