This program provides professionals and students in the community with the opportunity to learn more about play therapy or to receive the training necessary to become a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). The Play Therapy program is offered as a series of six weekend workshops that are worth 25 continuing education hours each. Individuals can attend one or all of the workshops.

In order to become an RPT, individuals must have a total of 150 continuing education hours in play therapy. Workshops include content required of any mental health professional interested in attaining a Registered Play Therapy credential. The play therapy education requirement can be met if an individual attends all six of the weekend workshops.

These workshops are consistent with guidelines established by the Association for Play Therapy and pertain to four main areas:

 

• Play Therapy History
• Play Therapy Theories
• Play Therapy Techniques and Methods
• Play Therapy Applications

 

Workshop #1

September 17-19, 2010

Principles of Play Therapy

This workshop will provide information about the rationale, philosophy, history and theoretical underpinnings specific to the application of play therapy with various populations and in different settings. Basic facilitation skills, specific goals, and the role of the play therapist will be explored and practiced in relation to specific theories and in terms of general process of play therapy.

 

Workshop #2

October 15-17, 2010

Games, Activities and Expressive Arts in Play Therapy

The therapeutic power of selected games, structured activities and expressive arts will be explored as they pertain to play therapy. Techniques specific to art, drama, children’s literature, puppets and music will be illuminated as ideal mediums through which children and adolescents express and heal themselves through the process of play therapy. Basic techniques and strategies for incorporating such tools and techniques will be described and demonstrated.

 

Workshop #3

November 19-21, 2010

Systematic Interventions: Group, Filial and Family Play Therapy

Basic theoretical and philosophical concepts related to systems theory, group therapy and family counseling will be presented. Group logistics, process, conflict resolution, and group facilitation skills will be described. In addition, methods will be covered illustrating how to implement filial therapy for parents to become healthy agents in their children’s lives.

 

Workshop #4

January 14-16, 2011

Sandtray and Narrative Techniques in Play Therapy

Thorough experiential sandtray exercises and didactic methods, information about the rationale, history, and general application of sandtray in play therapy will be illustrated. Basic facilitation skills, theoretical constructs and strategies for processing sandtray and narration techniques will be discussed and demonstrated.

 

Workshop #5

February 18-20, 2011

Play Therapy and Creative Interventions with Adolescents and Adults

Research has indicated that play therapy is an effective treatment modality with people of all ages. This workshop will explore the process of play therapy and creative interventions when working with adolescents and adults. Multicultural considerations and societal influences that specifically pertain to this population will also be addressed.

 

Workshop #6

April 1-3, 2011

Addressing Trauma and Loss through Play Therapy

This workshop will investigate specific issues faced by children, adolescents, and families affected by difficult environmental and systematic situations. The implications of abuse, crisis, death and divorce will be reviewed as they pertain to the process. The process of play, techniques, treatment plans and consultation procedures will also be explored.

Workshop Personnel

Dr. Kathleen Levingston is a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and serves as the director of the Play Therapy Program at ODU. She is also a faculty member in the Department of Counseling and Human Services in the Darden College of Education. As a Licensed Professional Counselor, she has over ten years of clinical experience with children, adolescents and families. Her areas of clinical expertise and research include play therapy supervision, sandtray therapy with children and adults, and expressive techniques with adolescents.