Workshop Description:

In recent years, Tabletop Role-Playing Games (TTRPGs), such as Dungeons and Dragons, have grown immensely in popularity in the play therapy community. This workshop will introduce the world of TTRPGs: what they are, how they work, and how they can be applied therapeutically. Participants will learn the fundamental role-play facilitator skills and play therapy skills they can utilize to support clients in individual or group therapy. Connecting the specific benefits of TTRPGs to the therapeutic powers of play, participants will leave this training with new, exciting ideas on how these unique games can enhance their play therapy practice.

Jessica Requejo is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist at West End Family Counseling Services, where she works as a Quality Assurance Specialist and Clinician for youths aged 5-21 years old. Jessica has been an avid player of Dungeons and Dragons for over ten years and began facilitating games in group therapy professionally in 2021.

Speaker Disclosures:

• Financial: Jessica Requejo uses TTRPGs in her clinical practice at West End Family Counseling Services. Jessica has no other commercial interests to disclose and no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations. 
• Non-Financial: Jessica Requejo is a Registered Play Therapist and member of the Association for Play Therapy. She is a former chapter leader for the California Branch of the Association for Play Therapy. Jessica is a member of the National Association of Social Workers. 

Zachary Requejo has his Master of Arts in Learning and Teaching and teaches Kindergarten at Valley Elementary School. There, he runs multiple afterschool enrichment programs for K-5 students, focused on leadership, teamwork, and academics, utilizing innovative techniques, such as comic books and tabletop role-playing. Zachary has facilitated numerous concurrent Dungeons and Dragons groups as a game master for the last decade, joining as a player off and on over the years, as well.

Speaker Disclosures:

• Financial: Zachary Requejo is a Kindergarten teacher at Valley Elementary School and runs after school TTRPG for youth. He has no other commercial interests to disclose and no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations. 
• Non-Financial: Zachary Requejo is a member of the California Teacher's Association. 

1. Identify three Therapeutic Powers of Play that Tabletop RPGs can offer as an addition to their play therapy practice.
2. Describe two individual play therapy interventions based on Tabletop RPGs.
3. Describe two play therapy interventions they can use in group therapy utilizing Tabletop RPGs.

9:30am ​ ​30 minutes ​CalAPT Announcements

10:00am ​25 minutes ​Introduction to Tabletop RPGs: What they are and how they are therapeutic

​10:25am ​35 minutes ​Play Therapy Interventions with Character Creation

11:00am ​50 minutes ​Fundamentals of Tabletop RPG Facilitation in Play Therapy

Continuing Education: This workshop meets the qualifications for 2 hours of continuing education credit per day for Psychologists, MFTs & LCSWs and LPCC’s. The California Association for Play Therapy (CALAPT) is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to play therapy (APT Approved Provider # 00-094). NO CREDIT FOR PARTIAL ATTENDANCE. APA Credit is not offered for this workshop.

Who Should Attend: Psychologists, Social Workers, Marriage, Family & Child Therapists, School Counselors, Interns, and Students.

Instructional Level: Intermediate -  Requires a working knowldege of the fundamental principles of play therapy and play therapy theory

Instructional Methodology: May include lecture, demonstration, audio/visual, experiential practice of techniques, case examples, large and small group discussion 

Play Therapy Areas: Special Topics (2 hours)

Cancellations & Refunds: Requests for refunds must be made in writing by e-mail to president@calplaytherapy.org. Requests must be made at least two weeks prior to the training to receive a refund. There is a $25.00 administrative fee for refunds. There are no refunds for cancellations after the deadline, however, registration may be transferred to another individual. There are no price breaks for partial attendance.

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by presenters at the CALAPT events do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the CALAPT Board of Directors or its membership. CALAPT reserves the right to make changes to the conference schedule, speakers and presentation, if this becomes necessary.

Accessibility Information: CALAPT is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. Please contact president@calplaytherapy.org to request disability accommodations per ADA/504. Advance notice is necessary to arrange some accessibility needs. Please provide notification two weeks prior to the workshop date.

Health and Safety Information: CALAPT follows all guidance and recommendations set forth by the CDC and other state, local, and federal healthy and safety governance.

Questions and Concerns: Contact us at president@calplaytherapy.org with any event or registration related questions or concerns.