Supporting Children with Mood Dysregulation Disorders

This workshop will equip mental health professionals, counselors, and educators with practical insights and effective play therapy techniques to support neurodivergent children who struggle with mood dysregulation. Participants will learn strategies that empower children, helping them recognize their strengths, develop effective self-advocacy skills, and gain a sense of control over their powerful minds. While the focus of this workshop will be bipolar disorder, it will also be applicable for a range of neurodivergence that may include autism, bipolar, ADHD, anxiety and PTSD. This workshop will help participants gain a deeper understanding of the unique challenges faced by these unique children and develop skills to engage them in therapeutic play therapy techniques. The workshop will incorporate juvenile bipolar research and best practices as well as personal insights from a mother and son within the context of their family legacy of bipolar. Presenter will also share her experiences with her son participating in a Psychoeducational research study at OSU for juvenile bipolar disorder.

Learning Objectives

Participants will be able to:

1. Recognize misconceptions about juvenile bipolar disorder and identify the life-threatening dangers associated with untreated juvenile bipolar.
2. Identify 5-6 play therapy techniques to empower children to actively engage with their treatment and develop 3-4 specific modifications to child-centered play therapy techniques to help a dysregulated child feel safe in the playroom.
3. Implement strategies and gain resources to engage parents and families in treatment.

Your spot will not be guaranteed without completion of registration with payment.

3 APT Non-Contact CE | Intermediate Level | Play Therapy Special Topics

VIRTUAL: This will be a virtual presentation. Participants are asked to be visible (video on) throughout the presentation to facilitate engagement and will be awarded 3 APT non-contact CE upon successful completion of a post test.

FAPT is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to Play Therapy. APT Approved Provider 02-115. FAPT maintains responsibility for the program. Registrants understand and agree that any photograph (screenshot), video or audio recording of themselves may be used to further promote FAPT.

FAPT is approved by the Florida Department of Health under FL Statute 491 to offer continuing education for Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists and Mental Health Counselors. Provider Number BAP-50-10520 expires 03/31/2027. FAPT is approved by the Florida Department of Health under FL Statute 490 to offer continuing education for Psychologists. Provider Number BAP-50-10520 expires 05/31/2026.

Cancellation Policy: All cancellations must be requested in writing and received no later than December 1, 2025. Cancellations are subject to a $20 processing fee. Substitutions (someone else attending) or transfer of registration to another training date may be requested. No refunds after December 1, 2025.

PHOTO RELEASE: By registering for this training, you are giving permission for FAPT to use any photographs (screen shots) that are taken during the event containing your likeness for as long as FAPT deems appropriate and desirable. By completing the registration, you are also consenting to waive any rights to the photographs indefinitely. If you do not wish to have your photo used, it is your responsibility to notify FAPT of your request to be omitted.

MAILING LIST: By registering for this training with FAPT, you consent to have your contact information added to our mailing list. You may unsubscribe at any time.

About our presenter: Cherie Catron, LPCC-S, RPT-S™ is a longtime educator and mental health clinician with over 20 years of experience supporting individuals with diverse academic and emotional needs. For more than a decade, she served as both a teacher and a school-based mental health clinician, working in roles that included Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, School Counselor, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™, and English teacher (grades 7–12). This multifaceted background allows her to bring a well-rounded, strengths-based perspective to her clinical work. She is licensed in the state of Ohio as a Professional Clinical Counselor and Supervisor, and she is recognized by the Association for Play Therapy as a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™. She specializes in working with clients who have bipolar disorder and ADHD. As a parent of two sons with bipolar disorder, she draws on her personal experiences to provide informed, empathetic support—especially to adults and young adults with bipolar. She is also passionate about advocating for those with ADHD, particularly women who are often misdiagnosed or diagnosed later in life. Her approach is both strengths-based and neurodivergent-affirming, focusing on empowering each individual to overcome challenges while celebrating their unique perspectives and abilities. She believes in creating a collaborative, compassionate environment that supports every client’s well-being and growth.