Workshop Description:

Theraplay® is a child and family modality of play therapy for building and enhancing attachment, self-esteem, trust in others, and joyful engagement. Group Theraplay adapts this play-based modality from a dyadic parent child intervention to a group format focused on the development of healthy peer relationships. A Theraplay Group is an adult-directed, structured play group that incorporates playful, cooperative and nurturing activities that enhance the emotional well-being of children. Unlike other play therapy group approaches, Theraplay learning takes place on a non-verbal level. Instead of talking about positive social behavior, the group leaders and children do positive social interaction. Gradually, positive messages from the groups become a part of the child’s internal sense of himself. This training is for professionals who want to use Theraplay in classrooms, day care, residential settings or with family groups. This workshop is aimed to:

• Create an atmosphere that is warm, nurturing, engaging, and challenging
• Promote warm relationships between children and adults and friendships among peers
• Engage hard-to-reach children
• Place emphasis on cooperation between children
• Encourage children to learn and practice self- control
• Help children with regulatory disorders and tactile issues

Workshop Objectives:

1. Apply Theraplay play principles, including the four dimensions, to group treatment
2. Integrate play therapy skills in using the group rules and group techniques through planning and practice of Group Theraplay activities
3. Demonstrate how to adapt the use of group Theraplay in play therapy with various populations
4. Describe how nurturing and co-regulating physical connection can assist children to feel calm and more organized in a play therapy group setting
5. Name three techniques for managing resistance and problem situations in play therapy groups
6. List three essential strategies for successful implementation

Instructor: Kristen Borgmeyer, LCSW, RPT™

Workshop Schedule & Agenda: Click HERE