Four Day Training

This workshop will cover five main areas of content over four days:

Module 1 will focus on several examples of MIMs and their interpretation to improve your comfort and skill in administering and interpreting this play therapy assessment.  There will be in-depth application of the core concepts of Theraplay and current relevant play therapy research to case material, greater analysis of the Marschak Interaction Method (MIM) by Dimension, and an observation and analysis of MIM using case material.  Participants will also develop deeper skills about play therapy treatment planning through delivery of parent feedback sessions.

Module 2 will focus on the Impact of race and culture on the Theraplay Practitioner.  Theraplay is based on white male European theorists and was developed by White women.  Theraplay is practiced predominantly by White upper-middle class people. Participants will examine the tension between the fact that while some aspects of Theraplay are universal, there are aspects of Theraplay that are implicitly biased. Participants will have the opportunity to analyze how some of the Theraplay norms are racially/culturally biased and what to do to deal with the inevitable cultural/racial bias that we hold.

Module 3’s emphasis is on working with parents.  Participants will expand the breadth of their Theraplay play therapy skills by assessing complex parents using case materials, learn how to work with caregivers’ attachment history in treatment planning, and learn implementation of the parent demonstration session.  Participants will learn how to manage resistance throughout the play therapy treatment process.

Module 4 will expand your Theraplay repertoire of skills and adapt to various settings. Participants will learn and practice activities for managing dysregulated clients or clients with diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum Disorder. Participants will also learn how to practice Theraplay in clients’ homes, in institutional settings, and online.   Participants will be provided with information on how to sequence Theraplay with other therapies or how to combine Theraplay with other play therapy and trauma-based modalities.

Module 5 will focus on adapting Theraplay to work with trauma/complex families.  Participants will learn play therapy techniques to better work with children who have experienced trauma, have attachment disorders, or are seen as having complexities.  Participants will gain a greater understanding of developmental trauma and how it applies to clinical decision-making in Theraplay.  Further, participants will learn how to adapt play therapy activities for clients who have been impacted by trauma and how to engage parents who present with their own trauma histories.

To register, visit Inspire Me Events or email Becky Colver [email protected].

Additional Information

Prerequisite

Level One Theraplay & MIM or Module 6, and 6 months of using Theraplay is required before taking this training. 

Schedule

This is a three day training. The dates are July 11-13, 2023 and will run from 8:30am-5:00pm BST each day. View this training’s detailed agenda.

Trainers

Jo Williams, M.A., Dramatherapist, Counsellor, certified Theraplay Practitioner, Supervisor and Trainer, Transpersonal and Integrative Supervisor Trainee: working for Northamptonshire County Council as their Therapy Services team manager.

Summary

Day 1

• In-depth application of the core concepts of Theraplay and current relevant research to case material
• Marschak Interaction Method (MIM) by Dimension: an in-depth analysis using case examples
• Observation and analysis of MIM using case material
• The Parent feedback session: preparation and implementation to enhance the therapeutic relationship with caregivers

Day 2

• Assessment of complex parents using case material: clinical decision making related to contraindications for Theraplay
• Working with caregiver’s attachment history in Theraplay treatment planning, feedback sessions and progress
• Implementation of the parent demonstration session
• Managing resistance throughout the treatment process
• Managing countertransference in your work with children and families
• Role play and practice of activities

Day 3

• Developmental trauma and Theraplay: Clinical decision making
• Adaptation of activities for clients and families impacted by trauma
• Engaging caregivers with their own trauma history in treatment process
• Integration of Theraplay with other modalities to meet the needs of children and families
• Adaptation of activities for different populations

Learning Objectives

   – Identity the underlying principles of Theraplay, a modality of play therapy, and their relationship to current attachment and brain research
   – List and analyze the MIM at an intermediate skill level
   – Develop skills in the use of the MIM for play therapy treatment planning
   – Explain how to use feedback sessions with parents to transmit a sense of hopefulness and trust in play therapy treatment
   – Describe play therapy methods for overcoming parental resistance
   – Report factors that influence the decision of whether to include parents in play therapy treatment sessions 
   – Demonstrate how to use a wider range of Theraplay activities and techniques
   – Relate how to adapt Theraplay, a modality of play therapy, to work with a wider range of populations, such as children with autism and older children
   – Apply play therapy strategies for dealing with resistant clients
   – State the concept of complex trauma and how it applies to play therapy
   – Recommend three modifications to Theraplay, a modality of play therapy, to meet the needs of traumatized children
   – Assess when to use Theraplay in the overall play therapy treatment course of a client
   – Describe how to adapt treatment to meet the needs of parents who may have been traumatized

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. This course’s Content Level is Advanced.

Bibliography

View this module’s bibliography for books and other materials referenced in the development of the content for this program.

Notes

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.

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

Registration Terms and Conditions