NEW DATE! Treating Depression in Play Therapy An Integrative Approach

As a play therapist, it is a challenge to work with depression in therapy. Helping children struggling with depression symptoms can leave play therapists exhausted and over time can lead to feelings of burnout. But it doesn’t have to stay that way. In this course, you will learn ways to spot, assess, and work effectively with depressive symptoms in children from Gestalt and Attachment-based lenses so you can more confidently help children with depression symptoms and avoid burnout.

Don't miss this chance to develop skills in dealing with depressive symptoms in children. Register now to secure your spot!

Date: Friday, October 24, 2025

Time: 09:00 am - 4:00 pm

Location: 15 Spinning Wheel Drive, Hinsdale, IL, Lower Level Conference Room

Please note: This is a Live Event with no live streaming available

Susan Stutzman is a licensed clinical professional counselor in the state of Illinois, a registered play therapist-supervisor, and an early childhood development educator. She is the co-founder of Play Therapy Toolbox, a live and online resource providing play therapy training for professionals.

Susan is also the owner of Kid Matters Counseling in Hinsdale, IL where they have helped hundreds of kids and parents resolve emotional conflict, cultivate healing, and nurture hope. Susan regularly contributes to Parent Matters, a newsletter and podcast resource for parents provided by Kid Matters Counseling.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

1. Identify depressive symptomatology in children that can be found in the play therapy context.

2. List similarities and differences in depressive presentations between adults vs. children.

3. Identify 2 diagnostic tools that can aid treatment in the play therapy context.

4. Discuss research-based practices to treat depression that correlate to the play therapy space.

5. Compare and contrast different modalities of treatment most widely accepted in the treatment of depression and their effectiveness in the play therapy context.

6. Identify best practices with enlisting and incorporating parents in the play therapy process and with crucial home support.

**Continuing Education Credits:**

This course meets the requirements for 6 Continuing Education Credits under the Association for Play Therapy category "special topics".

This course meets the requirements for 6 Continuing Education Credits for the NBCC.

To receive continuing education credits, the learner must be working towards or currently have a master's degree in a mental health-related field.

Credits are offered and awarded to participants who attend the event in its entirety and complete and submit a post-test.

Play Therapy Toolbox offers continuing education specific to play therapy. APT Approved Provider 18-533 maintains responsibility for the program.

Play Therapy Toolbox offers continuing education specific to Counselors as an Approved Provider for NBCC 7752 and maintains responsibility for the program.

Host or Publisher Play Therapy Toolbox