Using the Therapeutic Powers of Play with Teens and Tweens

Using the Therapeutic Powers of Play with Teens and Tweens

6 Direct Contact CE’s from APT*

Presented by: Holly Willard, LCSW, RPT-S

November 11, 2022

Scenic View Academy, Provo, Utah

9:00 am to 4:30 pm

Description:

The therapeutic powers of play allow teens to explore and express feelings in a safe and accepting environment. Through play therapy, teens can be creative and imaginative, which brings their awareness to the surface and awakens their inherent ability to heal.  The therapeutic relationship is especially important when working with teens/tweens but can be difficult to navigate.  Directive and non-directive play therapy methods are extremely helpful when forming the therapeutic relationship with teens.

Play therapy specifically expressive arts have long been used with teens to promote psychological health and social support. They offer teens “a way to express their feelings, perceptions, thoughts, and memories in ways that words cannot” (Malchiodi, 2005, p. 9). Play and expressive arts are the natural language for children because they are full of symbols and metaphors which allows them to communicate and work through complex feelings.

Self-Expression, access to the unconscious, catharsis, positive emotions, stress inoculation, stress management, and resilience are critical components to therapy with teens.  Throughout the workshop, these specific therapeutic powers of play will be addressed and interventions focused on enhancing the play therapist’s understanding of and internalization of these important powers and therapeutic benefits.

The training will introduce numerous interventions that can be used in a variety of settings:  individual, family, and group. Interventions will be taught using experiential and interactive methods, and participants in this hands-on training will be immersed in the creative process. In this workshop we will be exploring the combination of directive and non-directive play therapy approaches that are effective with teens.  The workshop will cover culturally sensitive therapeutic models and research relating to play therapy. It will also address neurobiological and developmental factors that influence play therapy with teens.   The training will teach numerous interventions that can be used in a variety of settings:  individual, family, group or school settings.  Interventions will be taught using experiential and interactive methods.  We will address the importance of involving caregivers and methods to include the parents in the therapy.

About Holly:

Holly Willard LCSW, RPT-S is the owner of Grandview Family Counseling, a private practice in Bountiful, Utah. Holly Willard completed her Masters in Social Work from the University of Utah in 2000 and received her LCSW in 2002.  Since that time, she has worked in various clinical settings from school counseling, residential care, foster-care, outpatient clinics and private practice. Holly Willard has extensive background working with children, teens and families.  Holly is a contributor to local television news and radio.  She is a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and presents nationally on play therapy topics.  Holly Willard is the past president of Utah Play Therapy Board. Holly Willard is certified in TF-CBT, Daring Way Facilitator, and EMDR trained.

Objectives:

1.    Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to, participants will be able to discuss theoretical models of play therapy that are effective with teens.
2. Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to, participants will be able to explain neurological and developmental factors that influence play therapy with teens.
3.    Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to, participants be able to cite 2 specific Play Therapy interventions using expressive arts to use with teens.
4.     Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to, participants be able to cite 3 interventions using the therapeutic powers of  play with teens.
5.    Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to, participants be able to cite 2 interventions they can use with teens to address self-harm/suicidal ideation.
6.    Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to, participants be able to explain to caretakers how to utilize play and expressive arts at home to help teens.

Schedule Breakdown:

Introduction and Overview (30 min)

Play Therapy Theories effective with teens (45 min)

Neuroscience and Developmental Research related adolescents/pre-adolescents (45 min)

Instructions on Play Therapy interventions for teens/tweens using different play therapy modalities. Hands-on and experiential. Instruction will include videos and activities. (3.5 hours)

Summary and Q&A (30 min)

contact utahplaytherapy@gmail.com for more info

Registration Fee:

UAPT Members $100.00

Non-UAPT $150.00

Students $75

APT approved provider #98-036

Cancellation Policy: UAPT does not offer refunds for live or recorded webinars.

6 Direct – CONTACT CE Hours.