Now Offering Virtual Trainings!​

Training Price Points:
  2 Hours - $65
 3 Hours - $75
   6 Hours - $145

Registration Information ​

- Participants who wish to pay cash/check day of desired training may register via email: [email protected]. 
- Live webinars require passing a post-training quiz​ to ​receive a certificate per APT training standards and count as non-contact. 
- ​ALL Trainings are held in the Central Time Zone. Plan accordingly if you wish to attend virtually.
- Training information will be sent via email the day before the scheduled training to allow for last minute registration.
*Registration for ALL trainings closes 48 hours before the scheduled training.

Click Here to Register
​

September

9/11 & 9/12 - Foundations of Child-Centered Play Therapy (CE or Program) In-Person Only

Friday and Saturday 11th & 12th               9:30-4:30 pm                             12 Hours             Content: Theories
​
          This two-day introductory workshop provides participants with a foundational understanding of Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), a developmentally responsive, relationship-based approach grounded in the principles of Carl Rogers and Virginia Axline. Participants will explore how children communicate through play and how therapists can facilitate growth and healing by creating a permissive, consistent, and attuned therapeutic environment.
           The training introduces core CCPT concepts, including the therapeutic relationship, the role of the therapist, limit setting, and the use of specific play therapy skills such as tracking, reflecting feelings, and supporting children’s decision-making. Emphasis is placed on understanding the child’s internal experience and responding in ways that support emotional expression, self-direction, and integration.
            Participants will engage in experiential activities, role-play practice, and reflective exercises designed to deepen skill acquisition and increase confidence in applying CCPT principles across clinical and educational settings.

Objectives:
          Participants will be able to:
  1. Describe the theoretical foundations of Child-Centered Play Therapy and its roots in person-centered theory. 
  2. Explain how play functions as a child’s primary mode of communication and expression. 
  3. Identify the core conditions that facilitate therapeutic change within a CCPT relationship. 
  4. Demonstrate basic CCPT skills, including: tracking behavior, reflecting content and feeling, responding to themes, supporting decision-making and responsibility 
  5. Apply the ACT model (Acknowledge feeling, Communicate limit, Target alternative) for therapeutic limit setting. 
  6. Differentiate between directive and non-directive approaches to play therapy. 
  7. Reflect on the therapist’s role, presence, and use of self in the playroom. 
  8. Identify common therapist responses that may interfere with the child’s self-direction and therapeutic process in CCPT.
  9. Describe the purpose and function of toys and materials commonly used within a child-centered play therapy playroom.
  10. Demonstrate increased awareness of children’s emotional expression, play themes, and nonverbal communication during play sessions.
  11. Explain the role of consistency, predictability, and therapeutic boundaries in fostering emotional safety within the play therapy relationship.
  12. Apply CCPT principles to case examples involving children experiencing emotional, behavioral, relational, or developmental challenges.
​
Instructor: James Carroll LCPC, RPT-S      Registration  9:15 am      Breaks determined by training​.

9/19 - Introduction to the Playroom (CE or Program) Live Webinar

Saturday 19th               9:00-12:00 pm                             3 Hours                             Content: Skills and Methods
                 
         Welcome! You have decided to learn more about Play Therapy. Play is a scientifically backed way to support children in therapy. In this training: 

Objectives:

  1. Participants will describe the definition of Play Therapy
  2. Participants will analyze the 10 seminal theories of Play Therapy.
  3. Participants will list at least 3 best practices of a Play Therapist.

Instructor: Marie Bonner-Horon LPC, RPT-S      Registration  8:45 am      Breaks determined by training​.
This meets APT's definition of live webinar. Live webinar counts as non-contact. 


9/25 - "I Don't Know"... Working with Teens in the Playroom  (CE or Program) In-Person Only

Friday 25th               9:30-4:30 pm                             6 Hours                             Content: Skills and Methods
                
             Let’s face it, working with teenagers can be tough. Sometimes, they don’t even want to be in our offices/playrooms. How do we connect with a teen who won’t talk back? In this training, participants will examine the teen culture and explore ideas on how to build a therapeutic relationship. 

Objectives: 
  1. Participants will describe teen culture and how it may present in the Playroom.
  2. Participants will analyze their biases and hesitations, as play therapists, when working with teens. 
  3. Participants will plan how to incorporate the Therapeutic Powers of Play with teenagers. 
  4. Participants will analyze developmentally appropriate ‘toys,’ for the play therapy.
  5. Participants will demonstrate 6 interventions/activities to do with teenagers in the playroom.
  6.  Participants will list 3 APT best practices that can support the therapeutic relationship with teens in play therapy.

Instructor: Marie Bonner-Horon LPC, RPT-S      Registration  9:15 am      Breaks determined by training​. 

9/26 - Yours, Mine, and Ours; Working with Divorced and Blended Families (CE or Program) In-Person or Live webinar option

Saturday 26th               9:00-4:00 pm                             6 Hours                             Content: Special Topics

                Working with blended and divorced families can be challenging as they struggle to navigate life after such a significant change. In this training, participants will explore some of the "big topics" for these populations and interventions that can help heal and overcome adversity in the playroom. 
Objectives:
  1. Participants will identify 3 barriers that divorced families face and how they can be addressed in the playroom.
  2. Participants will identify 3 barriers that blended families face and how they can be addressed in the playroom.
  3. Participants will describe 3 "big topics" to address with divorced families using the therapeutic powers of play.
  4. Participants will describe 3 "big topics" to address with blended families using the therapeutic powers of play.
  5. Participants will explain 3 play therapy interventions to implement with children of divorced families.
  6. Participants will explain 3 play therapy interventions to implement with children of blended families.

Instructor: Danielle White LPC, RPT-S      Registration  9:15 am      Breaks determined by training​.
This meets APT's definition of live webinar. Live webinar counts as non-contact. 

Non-Contact Library

        Finding time to attend trainings for continuing education or play therapy training can be difficult. Select from our non-contact book certificates to complete training hours on your own time and at your own pace. Participants are responsible for purchasing the book of their choice. Participants MUST complete payment and pass the required quiz with an 80% before a certificate is issued.

Books

When Parents Are at War (Book Reading) 3 Non-Contact Hours in Special Topics

Picture
        This book by Lynn Louis Wonders explores the complexities of working with children of divorce. From initial screening, to conceptualizing parents, legal considerations, and application of treatment within the uniqueness of children of divorce. Participants are responsible for purchasing a copy of the book. Participants may register and pay for this 3 hour book reading with Steps 1 and 2 at the top of this page. 
           Objectives:
​​​             1.  Participants will identify and describe the nature of conflicted divorces.
             2. Participants will identify the screening process, treatment planning, and 
​                                                   course of treatment for this population.
                                               3. Participants will identify 3 legal considerations for working with this
                                                     population.                                            

Partners in Play (Book Reading) 8 Non-Contact Hours in Seminal Theories

Picture
 Partners in Play by Terry Kottman, 3rd edition, outlines the implementation of the Adlerian play therapy model. Describing the core concepts/beliefs, playroom set up, conceptualization, the 4 phases, and inclusion of parents, guardians, and other significant individuals in a child's life. (When completing Step 2: Payment, select the 6 hour training fee of $135)

     Objectives:
               1. Participants will identify the core concepts/beliefs of the Adlerian play therapy model.
                                          2. Participants will identify the components of an Adlerian playroom.      
                                          3. Participants will describe all aspects of Adlerian conceptualization of child clients.
                                          4. Participants will identify and describe the 4 phases within the Adlerian play therapy  
                                               model.
                                           5. Participants will describe the play therapy skills used in the Adlerian play therapy
                                               model.
                                           6. Participants will identify the play themes used in the Adlerian play therapy model. 
                                           7. Participants will describe Adlerian play therapy strategies. 
                                           8. Participants will describe the inclusion of parents/guardians in the Adlerian play
                                                therapy process.

The Art of the Relationship (Book Reading) 8 Non-Contact Hours in Seminal Theories

Picture
        Child-Centered Play Therapy is one of the ten seminal theories. CCPT is an evidence-based model used around the world. Reading this comprehensive test on creating a therapeutic relationship with children through play will give the reader access to research and knowledge to further their clinical skills as a play therapist. 


Objectives:
  1. Explain the definition of Child-Centered Play Therapy
  2.  Analyze the process of change in play therapy.
  3.  Assess the stages in the play therapy process.
  4.  Discuss the history and development of play therapy.
  5.  Compare what items are beneficial for a Child-Centered Play Therapist.
  6.  Describe limit setting in Child-Centered Play Therapy.
  7.  Assess the therapeutic relationship in Child-Centered Play Therapy.
  8.  Identify typical concerns in Play Therapy.

The Interpersonal Neurobiology of Play Therapy
​                        (Book Reading)  6 Non-Contact Hours in Special Topics

Picture
       Play therapists have seen a significant shift to include neuroscience in designing play therapy interventions and educating caretakers. This book draws on concepts of interpersonal neurobiology, the benefits of play therapy interventions to achieve attunement, neural integration, healthy attachment, and the development of resilience and well-being become clear.



​      Objectives:  
  1. Explain three different concepts of play therapy. 
  2. Identify how play therapy has its own neural circuitry and how it impacts the client’s ability to heal and grow. 
  3. Analyze how early childhood relationships can impact the child’s development and how that may present in play therapy.
  4. Identify five types of play and how they can be applied to play therapy. 
  5. Analyze how metaphor can be applied to the neurobiology of play therapy.
  6. Discuss how neural changes can positively or negatively impact play therapy.  

APT Play Therapy Instructional Tracker

        Keeping track of your 150 hours for the registered play therapy certification can be daunting. Particularly with the content hours and requirement per phase. This tracker spreadsheet makes keeping up with you play therapy training easy and helps you ensure that you meet each criteria of the play therapy training process. Click here to purchase  APT Play Therapy Instruction Tracker

​*Once receipt of your payment has been forwarded to our account, you will receive the tracker spreadsheet. Please allow up to 2 business days to receive.

​*Note that this tracker does not guarantee receipt of the RPT certification. Only APT, the governing body of play therapists, has the authority to grant this certification.

Recorded Seminars

Play Through the Ages (Recorded Training)  5 Hours in History

             Understanding the history of play therapy helps us, as play therapists, to grasp the roots of what we do in the playroom. Join us as we walk through history and watch as play therapy unfolds to what we know of it is today.
Objectives:
  1. Participants will identify and describe the four grandfathers of play therapy.
  2. Participants will identify and describe the mother of play therapy.
  3. Participants will discuss the ten seminal theories and how each originated.
  4. Participants will discuss the transition of play therapy from Europe to America.
  5. Participants will discuss APT's birth and how it has shaped play therapy since its conception.
 Instructor: Danielle White, LPC, RPT-S 


Seminal Theories Part 1  (Recorded Training) 3 Hours in Seminal Theories 

         Determining a theoretical orientation for your framework of play therapy can be challenging. While there are several options approved to work within by the Association for Play Therapy, finding the right fit may be harder than you think. Join us in exploring the foundational concepts of the following seminal theories to help determine your theoretical orientation; Developmental, Object-Relations, Theraplay, Filial, and Child-Centered.

Objectives:
  1. Participants will identify five basic beliefs of the aforementioned seminal theories.
  2. Participants will explain four causes of behaviors as determined by the above listed seminal theories.
  3. Participants will describe five play therapy skills utilized by the seminal theories listed above. 
​​Instructor: Danielle White, LPC, RPT-S 

Seminal Theories Part 2  (Recorded Training) 3 Hours in Seminal Theories 

         Determining a theoretical orientation for your framework of play therapy can be challenging. While there are several options approved to work from by the Association for Play Therapy, finding the right fit may be harder than you think. Join us in exploring the foundational concepts of the following seminal theories to help determine your theoretical orientation; Gestalt, Jungian, Cognitive Behavioral, Ecosystemic, and Adlerian.
  1. Participants will identify five basic beliefs of the aforementioned seminal theories.
  2. Participants will explain four causes of behaviors as determined by the above listed seminal theories.
  3. Participants will describe five play therapy skills utilized by the seminal theories listed above.
Instructor: Danielle White, LPC, RPT-S 

Intermediate Child-Centered Play Therapy (Recorded Training) 6 Hours in Seminal Theories           
​
          In this recorded training, the participant will learn how CCPT is presented in the playroom and with parents.

Objectives: 
  1. Participants will analyze Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) and how to be grounded in the theory as a Play Therapist
  2. Participants will analyze the core principles of CCPT through role play.
  3. Participants will describe CCPT play therapy skills. 
  4. Participants will discuss how to explain CCPT ideals used in the Playroom with caregivers. 
  5. Participants will discuss what aspects of CCPT they identify with. . 
  6. Participants will analyze 2 case studies and apply CCPT core principals from the playroom.
Instructor: Marie Bonner-Horon, LPC, RPT-S 

Ethical and Legal Considerations for Children of Divorce (Recorded Training)  3 Hours in Special Topics    

        Navigating the legal terms and considerations of working with children of divorce can be daunting for play therapists. In this training, play therapists will be equipped with terminology, legal considerations, and resources for working with children of divorce in the playroom.

Objectives
  1. Participants will describe 3 terms used in divorce/custody cases and why they are important in the playroom.
  2. Participants will identify 3 legal considerations to make before beginning the play therapy treatment process. 
  3. Participants will describe 3 play therapy specific interventions for this special population.

Instructor: Danielle White LPC, RPT-S

Attachment in the Playroom (Recorded Training)  6 Hours  ( 4 Hours Skills/Methods  & 2 Hours Special Topics)  

          Attachment is the foundation in which healthy relationships, positive sense of self, and overall healthy well being rests. Children who develop insecure attachment patterns have a higher risk of participating in unhealthy habits or unhealthy relationships that can be harmful. Participants will explore the world of Attachment in Play Therapy through the theoretical lens of Adlerian play therapy to create change for children who demonstrate insecure attachment patterns. 
Objectives:
  1. Participants will describe the four foundations of attachment.
  2. Participants will identify the four attachment styles.
  3. Participants will discuss the rationale for implementing Attachment in Play Therapy interventions with children in the playroom struggling with an insecure attachment. 
  4. Participants will describe 3 impacts that divorce, death/loss, and family separation can have on a child's attachment to others. 
  5. Participants will describe 3 impacts that trauma, neglect, and emotional abuse can have on a child's attachment to others. 
  6. Participants will demonstrate 3 attachment focused techniques (rooted in Adlerian play therapy model) that can be implemented in the playroom. 
​Instructor: Danielle White LPC, RPT-S

Looking for more trainings? Check out Embark Counseling's Continuing Education courses in Kansas City.
embark-counseling.com/continuing-education-2/


​Cancellation and Refund Policy

Cancellations must be emailed, [email protected], at least 5 business days prior to training. Attendee has the option to transfer credit to another Playhouse training or accept a refund minus a cancellation fee of $25. 
Cancellations made less than 5 business days prior to training, are eligible for transferable credit to a Playhouse training of similar value. No refunds will be available. All refunds, minus the $25 cancellation fee, will be mailed 30 days after request.  
Should the presenter need to cancel training for emergency or inclement weather, participants will be notified via email, as soon as possible. Training will be rescheduled for a later date, in the event the subsequent date does not conform to the participant’s schedule, a full refund or credit (for future training) will be given. 
Proudly powered by Weebly