Prescriptive Play Therapy

The purpose of this training is to introduce a variety of directive play therapy interventions that can be useful in clinical work, while also addressing the underpinnings and importance of non- directive play therapy. The course will highlight how non-directive play therapy sets the stage for the potential introduction of directive play therapy interventions, all while placing the importance of the therapeutic relationship at the heart of both of these modalities.

The training will incorporate a variety of different hands-on activities that will prepare clinicians to effectively use the new interventions following the training and feel confident in engaging clients with these activities that will be beneficial to therapeutic outcomes.

2 CEs are available for NYS LMHCs, LMSWs, LCSWs, LMFTs, LCATs, NYS Licensed Psychoanalysts and NYS Licensed Psychologists upon completion of training.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of the training participants will be able to:

-recognize why play therapy should be our chosen modality in work with children, from a developmental perspective.

-identify the differences between directive and non-directive play therapy.

-indicate why the relationship between client and therapist is the foundation for clinical work.

-implement at least 3 directive interventions with clients upon leaving the training.

-think flexibly about the tools they have available and how to creatively use them with their clients.

In accordance with the NY State Department of Education guidelines, in order to receive continuing education contact hours, a participant needs to be present for the duration of the workshop/training. Therefore, participants who arrive late or leave the event early will not be granted a certificate of completion.

​Cancellation Policy: Refunds will be provided for cancellations made in writing up the day before the event.

Accommodations and Accessibility: HVPD welcomes participants with diverse abilities. Please contact us at info@hudsonvalleyprofessionaldevelopment.com to request accessibility accommodations. Accommodation requests are considered in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Amanda Dixon graduated in 2009 from The State University of New York at New Paltz with her Masters of Science in Mental Health Counseling and went on to obtain her license in mental health counseling. After graduation, she worked with adolescent youth in residential foster care placement. Her experiences also included working with individuals who suffered complex and often, transgenerational trauma.

For the last nine years, her focus has been running her own group private practice. She maintains Amanda Dixon Mental Health Counseling Services in the Hudson Valley where she oversees a number of LMHCs and limited permit holding mental health counselors. Amanda is passionate about providing supervision and education to emerging clinicians in the field and feels this is an integral part of her career identity and mission for her practice.

Amanda Dixon is also a registered play therapist and is also trained in a variety of expressive arts modalities, including sand tray therapy. She does a variety of advocacy work and feels committed every day to working on trying to make changes in the mental health and health care systems.