The Theraplay Clinic offers more than just one on one work with children and families. These Theraplay-based, non-therapeutic groups offer support to children and adults who can benefit from an opportunity to connect with their peers. Virtual, in-person, and hybrid programming is available. We can also create a customized program to meet your needs! Are you interested in a program that could support the families you work with? Please feel free to reach out to staff clinician Kirsten Rieck at [email protected] for more details.
Join The Theraplay Clinic’s intern Liz Humphrey for an opportunity to connect with other parents, share informal mutual support, and discuss parenting challenges and strategies from a Theraplay perspective.
Liz Humphrey (she/her/hers) is the Clinic Intern at The Theraplay Institute. She is in her final year at The Erikson Institute working toward her Master of Social Work (MSW) with a concentration in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. Liz has completed Theraplay Level One Training and is being supervised by a Certified Theraplay Practitioner. She has also completed Level One Facilitating Attuned Interactions (FAN) certification through The Erikson Institute and a Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders certification through Postpartum Support International.
Liz has over two decades of experience working alongside children and their families in their homes as a nanny and at Play, a storefront to support healthy play in children. These experiences have given her a keen understanding of developmentally friendly activities, which she incorporates in her therapeutic work. She also emphasizes the importance of play to help regulate emotions, develop healthy relationships, and help build a child’s sense of self. Liz is passionate about perinatal health policies and ensuring that we do better for all of our families. She has earned a Postpartum Doula certification specializing in transitions, attachment styles, and ways to strengthen relationships between partners, siblings, or other caregivers.
February 2023 Support Groups
February 7, 2023 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Central (Nurture)
February 14, 2023 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Central (Structure)
February 21, 2023 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Central (Engagement)
February 28, 2023 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Central (Challenge)
March 2023 Support Groups
March 7, 2023 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Central (Nurture)
March 14, 2023 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Central (Structure)
March 21, 2023 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Central (Engagement)
March 28, 2023 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Central (Challenge)
Dates: July 17-21, 2023
Time: 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Central (aftercare option available until 5:00 pm)
Who: Open to children ages 5-10, max 16 participants
Camp Theraplay is a full-day, week-long, structured Theraplay day camp that incorporates playful, cooperative and nurturing activities that enhance the emotional well-being of children. Unlike other play group approaches, Theraplay learning takes place on a non-verbal level. Instead of talking about positive social behavior, the group leaders and children DO positive social interaction. Positive messages from the group interaction gradually become a part of the child’s internal sense of self.
Discounts are available for multiple sibling registration.
Scholarships are available.
In this camp children will have the opportunity to:
- Learn and practice cooperation between peers
- Learn and practice self-control
- Enhance trust of others through concrete, personal and positive experiences
- Experience warm relationships between themselves and adults and friendships among peers
- Experience an atmosphere that is warm, nurturing, engaging and challenging
- Have their basic needs met so they can be freed emotionally to explore their world
- Receive support with regulatory disorders and tactile issues
- Improve their cognitive, social and emotional development
Registration is open for Camp Theraplay 2023! Learn more and register
This virtual course is designed to give parents and caregivers tools to reduce unwanted behaviors from their children by building a strong connection with them. Participants will learn and practice methods and activities designed to engage, nurture, challenge, and provide structure to their children.
Be prepared to learn and play! This program includes presentation of information, group discussion, and an opportunity to practice Theraplay activities with other participants. Each participant will leave with resource materials to help support their family.
This course will be most directly applicable to parents and caregivers with children under the age of 12, but insights from the course and modifications to activities can be applied to older children as well.
Schedule
February 2, 2023 | 8:00pm – 9:30pm CST
February 9, 2023 | 8:00pm – 9:30pm CST
February 16, 2023 | 8:00pm – 9:30pm CST
February 23, 2023 | 8:00pm – 9:30pm CST
Kid Connections groups can be brought to your organization/school or are held at The Theraplay Clinic/The Theraplay Institute at 1224 W. Belmont Ave. Fl 1, Chicago, IL 60657.
Kid Connections Theraplay Groups are adult-directed, structured play groups that incorporate playful, cooperative and nurturing activities that enhance the emotional well-being of children. Unlike other play group approaches, Theraplay learning takes place on a non-verbal level. Instead of talking about positive social behavior, the group leaders and children DO positive social interaction. Positive messages from the group interaction gradually become a part of the child’s internal sense of self.
In these groups children will have the opportunity to:
- Learn and practice cooperation between peers
- Learn and practice self-control
- Enhance trust of others through concrete, personal and positive experiences
- Experience warm relationships between themselves and adults and friendships among peers
- Experience an atmosphere that is warm, nurturing, engaging and challenging
- Have their basic needs met so they can be freed emotionally to explore their world
- Receive support with regulatory disorders and tactile issues
- Improve their cognitive, social and emotional development
Sessions are 4-8 weeks long for one hour per week.