The Intersection of Childhood Sexual Trauma and Play Therapy

This workshop will emphasize using play therapy with victims of sexual abuse and trauma.

Frameworks for conceptualizing the impact of sexual abuse, treatment components from evidence-based practice models, and play therapy will be integrated to create abuse-informed assessment and interventions that are developmentally appropriate and clinically sound. This will include discussion of differences between dynamic and toxic posttraumatic play.

Attendees will receive a variety of cognitive behavioral play therapy interventions which address core components of sexual abuse treatment including psychoeducation, emotional expression, cognitive coping, and trauma narration.

Furthermore, areas of clinical need for children and adolescents who have been victims of childhood sexual abuse will be identified to delineate ways in which play therapy can be utilized to meet these needs.

Cultural influences of childhood sexual abuse will be explored. Additional special considerations for play therapists working with sexually abused children and adolescents will be discussed, including self-care and scope of practice.

Lecture, experiential activities, group discussions, and case examples will provide participants with a comprehensive learning experience.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify a minimum of ten play-based interventions to use in clinical practice with sexually traumatized children and adolescents,
2. Identify the difference between dynamic and toxic posttraumatic play,
3. Identify at least three dynamics of sexual abuse that may be utilized to underscore play therapy assessment and intervention of sexually abused individuals,
4. Describe areas of clinical need for children and adolescents who have been victims of childhood sexual abuse and discuss ways in which play therapy can be utilized to meet these needs,
5. Identify two to three cultural considerations when using play therapy with sexually abused children, and
6. Discuss one to two areas of special consideration when using play therapy with sexually traumatized children and adolescents.

About the Presenter - Sueann Kenney-Noziska, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S

With over 25 years of clinical experience, Sueann Kenney-Noziska specializes in clinical practice with abused and traumatized children. She owns a private practice and is part of her community’s multidisciplinary team on child abuse. Sueann is internationally recognized and has presented throughout North America as well as Japan, China, Jamaica, Estonia, and England. She is a contributing author to several peer-reviewed publications and has testified as an expert witness at the state and federal levels.

Sueann established the mental health component of the Children's Advocacy Center in her community and served as its initial Clinical Director. Best known for her work with sexually abused children, she frequently presents at major child abuse conferences and has trained thousands of professionals.

The Location

Sioux Falls

This in-person event will take place at the Augustana University Welcome Center, located at 2100 S. Summit Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57105 from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm CST.

Please check your registration email ahead of the event for directions for event-day parking.

Attendees will receive 6 CEs of Contact Play Therapy Credit.

A Networking Luncheon will take place during the lunch break for the event. Your ticket price includes the cost of lunch.

If you have dietary restrictions, please email [email protected] upon registration to notify us of your restrictions so that we can plan accordingly.

About the Host

The South Dakota Association for Play Therapy (SDAPT) is APT Approved Provider #23-714.

For questions, please contact [email protected].

Withdrawal from Participants and Refunds

Refund requests must be submitted in writing to [email protected]. The request must include the participants name, contact information such as an email or phone number, the continuing education title, and reason for withdrawal. To receive a full refund, participants must request their refund no less than two weeks prior to the start of the continuing education training date.

Refund requests made less than two weeks prior to the start of the continuing education training will not receive a refund. Absences from Continuing Education training will not be refunded without a request. Refunds will be issued via the EventBrite portal utilizing the original credit card used for the purchase of the event.

Extenuating Circumstance Refunds

A full or partial refund may be provided after the deadline on rare occasions for extenuating circumstances. These requests may or may not be granted after review by the SDAPT board. Cases that may apply include medical emergencies or hospitalizations due to serious illness, the death of an immediate family member, or a request for military assignment. In the event that any of these situations occur, documentation to confirm these situations is required. Additional circumstances can be considered by the SDAPT board.

Cancellations and Changes

The SDAPT may cancel a continuing education training to ensure the safety and well-being of its participants. In addition, the SDAPT may make changes to the date of a continuing education training when necessary. In the event that a continuing education training must be canceled, or in the event that the date must be changed, a full refund of the registration fee will be provided to those registered for the continuing education training. Refunds will not be provided for additional expenses such as travel or lodging. Participants registered for the continuing education training will be notified of changes or cancellations by their provided contact information including phone or email.

When requested according to the policy, refunds will be issued through Eventbrite, less a registration fee initiated by Eventbrite.

The South Dakota Association for Play Therapy is APT Approved Provider #23-714

Please note that all times listed in the agenda are CST.

Info: Lunch will be provided on-site. If you have dietary restrictions, please email [email protected] upon registration to notify us of your restrictions so that we can plan accordingly.

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Host or Publisher South Dakota Association for Play Therapy