This web-based course will introduce participants to play, its therapeutic benefits, and a variety of developmentally appropriate techniques used by play therapists and therapeutic play workers. It is an introduction and skill building session that will introduce the therapeutic powers of play and a range of therapeutic, enjoyable, educational, and resilience enhancing play techniques. Participants will develop skills which can be used to enhance relationships with children with whom they have contact in their personal and/or professional life. There will be lots of play and experiential learning built into the day – take home skills galore! It is an ideal introduction to the field and will aid decision-making in regard to possible subsequent training in the field.
Play Therapy Techniques – Demonstrations, practice and feedback
- Introduction to play
- The therapeutic powers of play
- Therapeutic play materials
- Attending and responding to children
- Therapeutic play techniques for improving children’s self-esteem and self-confidence
- Therapeutic play techniques for reducing children’s anxieties
- Therapeutic play techniques for improving children’s emotional understanding
- Therapeutic play techniques to foster children’s holistic development
Learning Outcome: Participants will have developed specific therapeutic play skills and an awareness of:
- The therapeutic powers of play
- Play therapy techniques for improving children’s self-esteem and self-confidence
- Play therapy techniques for reducing children’s anxieties
- Play therapy techniques for improving children’s emotional understanding
- And an increased ability to foster children’s holistic development
Participants are required to have,
Space and technology:
- Sound cancelling headset or confidential room to participate in
- a computer or other suitable device (e.g. i pad), ideally, but not essentially, with built in (or external) microphone and camera.
- Uninterrupted Wi-Fi connection
And if possible, creative materials that include:
- blank A4 sheets
- art material – g. crayons, colouring pencils, markers
- balloons (if possible)
- scissors
- an empty water/ drinks bottle for the day.
Before the training, participants will receive handouts that they can print out to use in the training. All participants will receive a Certificate of Completion.
APT Approved Provider 11-294
5.5 Play Therapy Credit Hours (Note: Play therapy credit will not be awarded to non-mental health professionals.
Cancellations: In the event of any cancellation a booking fee of €50 will be retained. Full fee is non-refundable in the event of cancellations within 2 weeks of the event, You may nominate another eligible person to take your place – simply notify us and provide us with their contact details.
Emer is the Assistant MA Course Leader and Supervision Co-Ordinator here at CTC. She holds an MA in Humanistic & Integrative Psychotherapy and Play Therapy and a BA (HONS) in Applied Social Studies in Social Care. Emer has also completed training as a clinical supervisor, EMDR training, Intensive Filial Therapy Training, Compassionate Inquiry and mindfulness training. Emer is certified as an integrative psychotherapist, trainer and supervisor with the European Association for Integrative Psychotherapy. She is also fully accredited with the Irish Association for Play Therapy and Psychotherapy. Emer is a core trainer on our MA and she also designs and delivers a vast array of CPD training courses for us. Emer has extensive experience working with children who have experienced domestic violence and also with non-residential parents and their children, maintaining and promoting quality contact. Emer has been involved in the Daphne III programme Responding to Child Parent Violence action research project, training in Non Violent Resistance and the Break 4 Change programme targeting services to families affected by Child Parent Violence. Emer has worked with children and adults who experienced medical trauma, both individually and on a group basis to support their recovery. Emer worked extensively with children with acquired brain injuries supporting both them and their families, through therapeutic support, educative trainings and facilitating peer support . Emer worked with the Brothers of Charity services and was involved in a number of Humanitarian aid projects in both Ethiopia and Peru. Emer also continues to maintain her private practice at “Acorns 2 Oaks Therapy Services” in Galway and also provides trainings for professionals working with vulnerable children.
