The Power of Play: An Introduction To Play Therapy

The Power of Play: An Introduction to Play Therapy
Sunday, December 6, 2026 | 9:00 AM–3:30 PM
In person | Next Place Therapy Services, LLC

Training Description

Discover how play can create opportunities for connection, expression, and therapeutic growth. This five-hour introductory training provides mental health professionals and graduate students with an overview of play therapy’s foundational principles, theoretical approaches, and beginning clinical skills.

Participants will explore the differences between therapeutic play and play therapy, examine directive and nondirective approaches, and learn how to select materials and create an intentional playroom environment. Demonstrations, guided practice, and small-group activities will introduce tracking, reflecting feelings, and therapeutic limit setting. Participants will also practice a structured play therapy activity and discuss how developmental needs, culture, caregiver involvement, and ethical considerations inform clinical decisions.

This training emphasizes foundational knowledge and opportunities to practice beginning skills that participants can continue developing through further training and supervision.

Learning Objectives

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

1. Discuss three foundational principles of play therapy and distinguish directive from nondirective approaches.
2. List five categories of play therapy materials and describe the therapeutic purpose of each.
3. Demonstrate three foundational play therapy skills: tracking behavior, reflecting feelings, and therapeutic limit setting.
4. Demonstrate one structured play therapy activity that supports emotional expression or connection.
5. Discuss at least two ways developmental and cultural considerations influence play therapy practice and two ethical responsibilities when beginning this work.

Training Agenda

9:00–10:15 AM Foundations of Play Therapy: Welcome, introductory activity, therapeutic play versus play therapy, theoretical foundations, and directive and nondirective approaches.

10:15–10:30 AM15-minute break10:30 AM–12:00 PM Inside the Playroom: Selecting toys and materials, creating a therapeutic environment, demonstrations of tracking, reflecting feelings, and limit setting, followed by guided practice.

12:00–1:00 PMLunch — included with registration

1:00–2:00 PM Experiential Learning: Demonstration and small-group practice of structured play therapy activities supporting emotional expression and connection.

2:00–2:15 PM15-minute break

2:15–3:30 PM

Bringing Foundations into Practice: Developmental and cultural considerations, caregiver involvement, ethical responsibilities, case discussion, questions, and evaluation.

Instructional time: 5 hours. Lunch and breaks are excluded from instructional time.