Childhood Trauma & the Developmental Impacts

A Play Therapist's Overview: Childhood Trauma & the Developmental Impacts

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the impacts of childhood trauma and equips play therapists with practical tools to assess, interpret, and respond to trauma-related behaviors in the playroom. Through interactive discussion and hands-on practice, participants will develop a deeper understanding of trauma’s influence on attachment, regulation, and overall development.

Date: Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Time: 09:00 am - 12:30 pm

Location: 15 Spinning Wheel Drive, Hinsdale, IL Lower Level Conference Room

Please note: This is a Live Event with no live streaming available

ABOUT YOUR PRESENTER

Susan Stutzman is a licensed clinical professional counselor in the state of Illinois, a registered play therapist-supervisor, and an early childhood development educator. She is the co-founder of Play Therapy Toolbox, a live and online resource providing play therapy training for professionals.

Susan is also the owner of Kid Matters Counseling in Hinsdale, IL where they have helped hundreds of kids and parents resolve emotional conflict, cultivate healing, and nurture hope. Susan regularly contributes to Parent Matters, a newsletter and podcast resource for parents provided by Kid Matters Counseling.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Discuss the impacts of childhood trauma on child clients in play therapy.

2. Analyze how childhood trauma affects children showing up in poor play therapy offices.

3. Prepare through practice how to treat traumatized children in play therapy.

**Continuing Education Credits:**

This course meets the requirements for 3 contact CE credits under the Association for Play Therapy category "special topics".

CE is awarded for Masters Level mental health students or professionals specific to play therapy.

Credits are offered and awarded to participants who attend the event in its entirety and complete and submit a post-test.

Play Therapy Toolbox offers continuing education specific to play therapy. APT Approved Provider 18-533 maintains responsibility for the program.

Play Therapy Toolbox has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7752. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Play Therapy Toolbox is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.