Course Content Level: Intermediate

This training is designed to teach participants the fundamentals of the Theraplay model. After completing this training, participants will be able to begin applying Theraplay principles into their work with existing and new clients. For more information about this training, click here. 

To register, email Carlos Velázquez-García at [email protected]. Carlos Velázquez-García Ph.D is the Executive Director at The Psychotraumatology Institute of Puerto Rico.

There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.

Additional Information

Schedule

This is a hybrid training split between virtual and in-person days. The virtual days are December 1-4, 2022 from 5:00pm-8:30pm Atlantic Standard Time (AST). The in-person days are December 9-10, 2022 from 8:30am-4:30pm (AST).

Required Text

The third edition of Theraplay: Helping Parents and Children Build Better Relationships Through Attachment-Based Play is required for this training. Purchase here.

Trainer

Myriam Goldin, LCSW, RPT-S is a founding partner of Gil Institute for Trauma Recovery and Education, LLC and Director of Starbright Institute, LLC. She provides evidence and practice informed mental health services for children, youth, and adults impacted by trauma. She earned her Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University and her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from George Mason University.

Summary

• Principles of attachment theory on an intellectual and experiential level
• The Four Dimensions of Theraplay
• The Theraplay protocol
• An introduction to the Marschak Interaction Method (MIM): administration, analysis and as a guide for treatment planning
• Adapting Theraplay for working with children and families impacted by complex trauma and other populations
• Managing resistance throughout the treatment process
• Managing countertransference in your work  with children and families
• Implementing Theraplay into your practice

Learning Objectives

1. Differentiate three play, attachment-based theories and how they support the work of Theraplay
2. Differentiate how children with various attachment styles present in play therapy sessions
3. Explain the benefits of using the MIM in your play therapy practice
4. Arrange the MIM play therapy assessment tool
5. Analyze the MIM at a beginning level to benefit families in play therapy
6. Construct a play therapy treatment plan based upon the MIM analysis
7. Classify three play therapy goals to be achieved during a MIM feedback session with parents
8. Describe the four dimensions of Theraplay, a modality of play therapy
9. Demonstrate one play-based activity from each dimension: Structure, Engagement, Nurture and Challenge.
10. Describe three possible ways of adapting Theraplay into play therapy treatment to meet the needs of a child with complex trauma
11. Describe how to guide parents to participate in a Theraplay, a modality of play therapy, in treatment session
12. Show how to prepare parents to use Theraplay play therapy techniques at home to further therapeutic goals
13. Describe how various parent attachment styles present in play therapy sessions
14. Demonstrate adapting Theraplay play therapy techniques to three different populations of families
15. Apply Theraplay techniques to work through resistance in play therapy sessions
16. Show how to adapt Theraplay activities for children of different ages
17. Explain how to prepare for termination of Theraplay treatment
18. Analyze how the clinician is impacted by the functioning of parents and children in play therapy sessions
19. Identify two types of clients for whom Theraplay would not be an appropriate play therapy modality

Who Should Attend?

People who work with children and families in many different capacities will benefit from training programs offered by The Theraplay Institute. Visit our Who Should Attend page for more information.

Bibliography

View the this module’s bibliography. 

Agenda

View this module’s detailed agenda.

Special Notes: Our cancellation policies have been temporarily adjusted to reflect our response to the pandemic and local government and health department directives. Please review this policy before completing your registration. We urge all participants to put their health and that of members of their communities first.

For information about our CE process, cancellation policy, and how to contact us with questions and concerns visit our FAQ page.

Registration Terms and Conditions