Play Therapy for Children with High Trauma

-- An Intensive Training Workshop--

Presenters:
Risë VanFleet, Ph.D., RPT-S and Cynthia Sniscak, LPC, RPT-S
For information about the presenters, please visit our Presenters page.

Date/Location:
September 23-26, 2008 in Carlisle, PA

Credits:
27 CE credits - Limited to 12 participants!

Workshop Description:
This intensive workshop is designed for child therapists who work with the many challenges presented by children who have experienced high trauma/abuse, and who experience various levels of attachment disruption in their lives. The multimodal treatment approach, which features play/filial therapy as its centerpiece, is applicable to some of the most extreme cases of PTSD and RAD. The workshop covers specific play therapy and filial therapy interventions that have been researched and used successfully with this population. Furthermore, participants will learn the intricacies of treatment planning with this population, and the importance of working with all parties to create a therapeutic community for the child. If you work with children with PTSD, attachment disruptions, or with foster families, adoptive families, or family reunifications, you will learn an effective approach for fostering positive outcomes for these children and their families. The workshop is limited to 12 participants in order to permit skills practice and individualized feedback from the instructors.

Prerequisites:
Participants should have prior experience conducting play therapy, both nondirective and directive, as well as a basic knowledge of filial therapy. If you have questions about these "prerequisites," please contact Dr. VanFleet.

Training Methods:
The Intensive Trauma and Attachment Training Program is limited to 12 participants to permit extensive skill practice with individualized coaching and feedback. Dr. VanFleet and Ms. Sniscak will present brief lectures, live and videotaped demonstrations, and supervision/feedback to participants as they practice during role plays. Twenty-seven (27) continuing education credits will be awarded to participants who attend the entire workshop. Please dress informally--although intensive, the atmosphere is relaxed and fun!

Schedule:
8:30 am to 5:30 pm each day

About the Location:
The workshop is held in Carlisle, PA at the Beech Street Program, the practice affiliated with the Family Enhancement & Play Therapy Center. Carlisle is 25 miles southwest of Harrisburg and 30 miles north of Gettysburg. Access is easy via Harrisburg International Airport, Amtrak, and major interstate highways. There are rental cars at the airport. Local B&Bs and hotels are inexpensive, and the workshop fees include continental breakfast and afternoon snacks.

Participants:
This training is for psychologists, social workers, counselors, psychiatrists, family therapists, school counselors, and other experienced professionals who work with children and families, foster families, and adoptive families, and especially those with abuse, neglect, trauma, and attachment-disruption histories.

Special Needs:
We are committed to making workshops accessible to everyone. Please contact us if you have special needs.

Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to…

describe at least 3 reasons why attachment is so important to optimal functioning.
explain the importance of working with trauma issues and attachment issues simultaneously.
describe the conditions under which child-centered play therapy would and would not be used with this population.
conduct at least 4 cognitive-behavioral play therapy interventions with highly traumatized children, and explain what those interventions are designed to accomplish.
describe the potential value of animal-assisted therapy with these children.
conduct at least 4 expressive interventions for use with these children and/or their families.
describe at least 3 myths about the use of play therapy with this population, and the rebuttals to them.
explain the importance of using Filial Therapy and other family therapy approaches with this population.
describe the Transition Model for children in foster care moving into adoption or back with their biological families.
explain the importance of creating a “therapeutic community” for the child.
identify potential sources of inappropriate interventions for this population.
formulate comprehensive treatment plans for their complex child/family cases with greater confidence.

General Information:
The workshop is held at the Family Enhancement & Play Therapy Center in the picturesque, historic town of Boiling Springs, PA and/or at the Beech Street Program in Carlisle, PA. Boiling Springs is 25 miles southwest of Harrisburg, 30 miles north of Gettysburg, just outside of Carlisle, PA. Access is easy via Harrisburg International Airport, Amtrak, or major highways. There are rental cars at the airport. Local B&Bs and hotels are inexpensive, and the workshop fees include continental breakfast and afternoon snacks.

Continuing Education:
27 CE credits are awarded to those who attend the entire training. For details about CE credits and approvals, please go to our Continuing Education page.

Registration Fees for Intensive Filial Therapy Training Program ($US):

Early bird registration: $675 (fully paid 10 weeks prior)
Regular registration: $800 (due 6 weeks prior)

Registration fees include workshop handouts and materials, continental breakfast each morning, beverages and light snacks each afternoon.

Cancellation Policy:
A nonrefundable deposit of $100 is required to hold a reservation for this training. Registrations are accepted on a first-come-first-served basis. Fees include 27 hours of training, handout book, light refreshments. Lunches and dinners are on your own.

The $100 deposit is nonrefundable. Written cancellations received 10 weeks prior to the training will receive a full refund of the balance of the fees. Cancellations received within 10 weeks of the training are subject to an additional $200 processing fee, with the remainder being refunded.

We regret that no refunds can be given within the 6 weeks preceding the training. When someone from the waiting list can substitute, credit toward future trainings may be given.

www.play-therapy.com

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