Listening with the Heart: Intentional Responses to Play Themes

Listening with the Heart: Intentional Responses to Play Themes

Exploring play behaviors and themes offers a powerful window into a child’s inner world, a journey as enriching for seasoned play therapists as it is for those just beginning. While recognizing these behaviors is essential, true therapeutic progress lies in how the play therapist responds in such a way that creates a safe and supportive space. Thoughtful, intentional thematic responses in play not only deepen the therapeutic relationship but also foster self-awareness, acceptance, and meaningful growth in the child. Join us as we examine common play behaviors associated with childhood presenting problems frequently seen in the playroom. Through a humanistic lens, we’ll uncover the intentions behind these behaviors and empower play therapists to develop authentic thematic responses, responses that resonate, heal, and create lasting impact.

Learning Objectives:

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

1. Identify common play behaviors and themes associated with frequently seen

childhood presenting problems in the play therapy setting.

2. Demonstrate the ability to craft authentic thematic responses to play that support

emotional processing, self-awareness, and healing in the child.

3. Apply thematic responding techniques in hypothetical case scenarios to enhance

therapeutic attunement and strengthen the therapeutic relationship within the playroom.

This training meets the standards for APT "LIVE WORKSHOP" and participants will be credited (3) Non-contact CEUs following the completion of an 80% passing rate quiz and feedback survey

Cancellation Policy: All training purchases are final. Integrated Play Connections does not provide a 100% refund. However, if canceled at least 72 hours before the event, you may receive 50% of the non-refundable amount in the form of a discount to put towards a future Integrated Play training.

Integrated Play Connections Therapy Center, PLLC is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to play therapy. APT Approved Provider 24-746 Integrated Play Connections Therapy Center, PLLC. maintains responsibility for the program.

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Michelle Walker, LCSW, RPT-S holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Millersville University of Pennsylvania (2011) and a Master’s in Social Work with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health and subconcentration in Military Social Work and Veterans Affairs from the University of Southern California (2014). She is a Registered Play Therapy Supervisor awarded by the Association for Play Therapy. Her clinical work is rooted in humanistic theory, with a focus on early childhood and elementary-aged children (ages 0–12). She specializes in Child-Centered Play Therapy and Child-Parent Relationship Therapy, providing developmentally appropriate interventions that honor each child’s innate capacity for growth and healing. She believes that, within a safe and supportive therapeutic environment and through a genuine therapeutic relationship, children are naturally inclined toward positive self-direction. Her approach supports increased self-concept, emotional awareness, regulation, and expressive emotional vocabulary. She has worked with the military population throughout the As Co-Owner of Integrated Play Connections Therapy Center, Michelle provides supervision and training for those working towards their Registered Play Therapy credential.