The Regulation Arcade: Game-Based Sand and Play Therapy

The Regulation Arcade: Game-Based Sand and Play Therapy is an experiential play therapy training designed to explore how games, structured play, and sand tray interventions can be intentionally used to support emotional regulation, nervous system awareness, co-regulation, and therapeutic engagement. Grounded in trauma-responsive and developmentally appropriate play therapy principles, this training examines how familiar game mechanics including turn-taking, choice, repetition, levels, challenges, rules, and feedback can provide predictable and engaging therapeutic experiences.

Participants will examine the relationship between play, predictability, relational safety, and regulation while learning ways to adapt board games, sand tray experiences, and other playful interventions to address therapeutic goals. Particular attention will be given to recognizing regulation and dysregulation within play, using the therapeutic relationship to support co-regulation, and modifying the pace, structure, and challenge of activities based on client needs. Through experiential activities and clinical application, participants will develop practical strategies for integrating game-based and sand tray interventions into play therapy practice with children and adolescents.

1. Identify how game-based play and sand tray interventions support emotional regulation and therapeutic engagement.
2. Demonstrate at least three game-based or sand tray interventions designed to build regulation skills.
3. Apply developmentally appropriate game-based, sand tray, and play therapy strategies to support emotional awareness, regulation, and co-regulation with children and adolescents.
4. Explain the relationship between play, predictability, relational safety, and nervous system regulation within the play therapy process.

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.