The California Branch of the Association for Play Therapy Presents
It’s Ok to Play! Play Therapy for Childhood Grief
Victoria Keyser, PsyD, MSW, RPT-S
Saturday, 2/4/23 – 9:00am-4:30pm PST
6 CEs In Person
Cost:
* APT Members: $99 ($89 before 1/20) with coupon code
* Non Members: $119 ($99 before 1/20)
Location: Ahiah Center for Spiritual Living
150 N. Molino Ave, Pasadena C.A. 91101
You are required to read and consent to the COVID waiver at the bottom of this page.
Workshop Description:
This interactive and experiential workshop will focus on utilizing play therapy to treat children experiencing grief and loss. Emphasis will be placed on the utilization of culturally and developmentally appropriate interventions for children, teens, groups, and families. Participants will have the opportunity to practice activities that are playful, expressive, and creative.
Grief-informed interventions that utilize play therapy and are grounded in developmental theory are needed now more than ever due to the recent global pandemic. Over 5 million children, one in 13, will experience the loss of a parent before reaching the age of 18 (Judi’s House, 2022). Without intervention, some bereaved children will experience a decline in emotional, interpersonal, and academic functioning (Ferow, 2019). Losses that are considered traumatic, such as homicide loss and suicide loss have the potential of an even greater impact on children. This impact includes heightened feelings of guilt, shame, and rejection (Turner, 2020.)
A child’s understanding of death (natural, anticipated, or traumatic) depends on their developmental level, cultural influences, and other environmental factors. Play therapy allows for a natural expression and processing of conscious and unconscious material related to a death in addition to providing an opportunity to teach and build on a child’s limited repertoire of coping skills. Specifically, Adlerian Play Therapy (AdPT), developed by Terry Kottman (Kottman & Meany-Walen 2018) builds upon a trusting relationship and integrates both directive and nondirective approaches. Because of its holistic approach and emphasis on the child’s subjective phenomenological experience, AdPT can be a good fit for working with grieving children and their families.
Presenter:
Victoria Keyser is a licensed psychologist and RPT-S. She is the founder and director of Youtherapy Psychological Services, a nonprofit child and family mental health center in La Verne that also serves as a practicum and field placement site for students in doctoral, MFT, and clinical counseling programs. She has been an adjunct professor at the University of La Verne and Mount Saint Mary’s University. Additionally, Victoria has been a volunteer therapist for Comfort Zone Camps, a camp for children who lost a parent, guardian, or sibling.
- Financial: Victoria Keyser receives a speaking honorarium from the California Branch of The Association of Play Therapy. Victoria has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
- Non-financial: Victoria Keyser has no relevant non-financial relationship to disclose.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe 3 grief-informed practice concepts can be adapted for play therapy.
- Identify 4 grief interventions: one for each of the four phases of Adlerian Play Therapy.
- Identify 2 group play therapy activities for bereaved children.
- Describe the cultural limitations of play therapy with grieving children.
- Describe the development theory needed to understand to work with grieving children.
- Apply 3 therapeutic powers of play to play therapy with grieving children.
- Describe three bereavement-specific toys for a grief-informed play therapy setting.
Schedule
9:00 to 9:15 (15 minutes): Introduction & Overview
9:15 to 9:45 (30 minutes): Warm Up Activity & Process
9:45 to 10:00 (15 minutes): Overview of Grief Traditional Models (Stages, Phases, and Tasks)
10:00 to 10:30 (30 minutes): Applying the Therapeutic Powers of Play to Play Therapy for Bereaved Children
10:30 to 10:45 (15 minutes): BREAK
10:45 to 12:00 (75 minutes): Brief Review of Adlerian Play Therapy Stages of Treatment w/grief activities
12:00 to 1:00 (60 minutes): LUNCH
1:00 to 1:30 (30 minutes): Integrating Play Therapy into a Grief-Informed Practice
1:30 to 1:45 (15 minutes): Developmental Considerations in Play Therapy for Bereaved Children
1:45 to 2:00 (15 minutes): Cultural Considerations in Play Therapy for Bereaved Children
2:00 to 2:45 (45 minutes): Play Therapy Techniques for Grief & Loss & Bereavement Specific Toys
2:45 to 3:00 (15 minutes): BREAK
3:00 to 3:30 (30 minutes): Group Play Therapy for Grieving Children
3:30 to 4:00 (30 minutes): Termination in Play Therapy for Grieving Children
4:00 to 4:30 (30 minutes): Ending Activity, Countertransference, Wrap-Up & Questions
Continuing Education: This workshop meets the qualifications for 6 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). The California Association for Play Therapy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The California Association for Play Therapy maintains responsibility for this program and its contents. NO CREDIT FOR PARTIAL ATTENDANCE.
Who Should Attend: Social Workers, Marriage, Family & Child Therapists, School Counselors, Psychologists, Students, and Interns.
Instructional Level: Intermediate – requires a working knowledge of the fundamental principles of play therapy, play therapy theory, play therapy applications, child psychopathology and child development
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.
If you have a disability and need accommodations per ADA/504, please provide notification 2 weeks prior to the workshop date.
Contact us at calplaytherapy@gmail.com with any event or registration related questions.
Release and Waiver of Liability Relating to COVID-19 (In-Person Attendees Only)
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. THIS AGREEMENT HAS LEGAL CONSEQUENCES AND WILL AFFECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND ABILITY TO BRING FUTURE LEGAL ACTIONS. THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDES A WAIVER OF YOUR RIGHT TO BRING A CLASS ACTION.
IN CONSIDERATION of being permitted to enter and remain at an event provided or hosted by the California Association for Play Therapy (CALAPT) or its Chapters, hereinafter referred to collectively as CALAPT, I, on behalf of myself and my heirs, assigns, executors, administrators, next of kin, and personal representatives (collectively, “Related Persons”), hereby acknowledge and agree to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.
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By registering for this in-person event I….
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- Assert that I have read this waiver in full and understand its content
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