NEAPT Virtual Conference

Session 2: Identifying and Utilizing the Therapeutic Powers of Play in Play Therapy - Julie Nash, Ph.D., RPT-S

How does play therapy actually promote change while improving mental health and overall functioning? While the therapeutic relationship and other qualities of therapy are necessary, this workshop will teach what it is about play specifically that leads to change. The relationship between individual therapeutic powers of play and the primary traits of play will be explored, while relating to the basic tenets of major theories of play therapy. Understanding these relationships and how to implement them allows for effectively choosing techniques or interventions to give the desired observable outcomes. This process will be described and practiced using didactic and experiential exercises, helping participants to solidify their frameworks and understanding of play therapy theory and practice. Participants will be better equipped to answer the question “So you just…play?” when speaking with parents, referral sources, and other professionals, as well as when writing treatment plans. Participants will be introduced to and practice a model for connecting presenting issues with three major components of play therapy (theory, therapeutic powers, and traits of play) to achieve a desired outcome, which allows for effective and efficient intervention selections.

This workshop will be presented from a prescriptive orientation, encouraging prescriptive matching of presenting problem, theory, therapeutic power of play, and techniques in the style of “Given this presenting problem and client, which therapeutic power of play and trait of play would lead to the necessary desired outcome?” 

Participants will be able to…

1.  Identify the 20 therapeutic powers of play seen through play therapy.

2.  Describe how specific use of the therapeutic powers of play is necessary to achieve desired outcomes in play therapy.

3.  Demonstrate how to choose an intervention to promote a desired observable outcome with play therapy, given a specified therapeutic power of play and trait of play.

About our presenter: Dr. Julie Nash is a licensed clinical psychologist and registered play therapist-supervisor. Dr. Nash is the owner of Riverside Psychological Associates, LLC in Centerbrook, CT where she provides individual and family therapy sessions for people across the age range, and provides continuing education trainings in play therapy. She is the President of the New England Association for Play Therapy and involved with the Association for Play Therapy at the national level.

Limited to 40 participants.

If you want Continuing Education, you must register separately. Continuing Education is available for $25. You only need to register ONCE, which will be valid for all sessions scheduled from Thursday, 10/29/20 through Saturday, 10/31/20.

VIRTUAL: This will be a virtual meeting. Participants will be awarded CONTACT CE after successful completion of a post test. Participants must be visible throughout the presentation. Due to COVID-19 health concerns, this one-time online event has been approved by APT for 3 CONTACT CE Hours.

Please join us from 12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m. for a brief members meeting and connection time (free to join, open to anyone in NEAPT). There will be time to address any issues or provide updates for the Branch, or time to just say hi and connect with your colleagues and friends.

PHOTO RELEASE: By registering for this conference, you are giving permission for NEAPT to use any photographs (screen shots) that are taken at the event containing your likeness for as long as NEAPT deems appropriate and desirable. Photographs may be used on the NEAPT website, social media pages, and/or newsletter for any purpose. By completing the registration, you are also consenting to waive any rights to the photographs indefinitely. If you do not wish to have your photo used, it is your responsibility to notify NEAPT of your request to be omitted.

CANCELLATION POLICY: All cancellations must be requested in writing and received no later than October 5, 2020. Cancellations are subject to $25 processing fee. No refunds after October 5, 2020. Substitutions (allowing another person to attend in your place) may be made in writing for no additional cost. 

CONTINUING EDUCATION: This program is co-sponsored, by the New England Association for Play Therapy and The Institute for Continuing Education. This session offers a total of 3.00 contact hours.  

Continuing education credit is awarded on a daily basis, with full attendance required for the days attended. The CE processing fee is $25.00, to be paid by participants who wish to make application for CE credit for their participation in the program. Application forms and other required CE materials will be available on site for submission to The Institute for Continuing Education. If you have questions regarding the program, continuing education  learning objectives, faculty, contact  The Institute at: 800-557-1950 / email: instconted@aol.com

NOTE: To receive continuing education credit, applicants must complete all CE materials, sign in/out at designated locations, and submit an evaluation form for the sessions attended. 

NOTE: It is the responsibility of the attendee to determine if CE credit offered by The Institute for Continuing Education meets the regulations of their state licensing/certification board.

NOTE: The program workshops do not offer “ethics” hours.  CE credit is not academic and may not be used toward fulfillment of a degree.

Psychology: The Institute for Continuing Education is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Institute for Continuing Education maintains responsibility for this program and its content.   

Counseling: For counselors seeking CE credit, The Institute for Continuing Education will submit a co-sponsorship application to NBCC for this program. New York: The Institute for Continuing Education is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors.  Provider MHC-0016.

Social Work: Application for social work continuing education credit has been submitted.  This website will be updated regarding approval.  New York: The Institute for Continuing Education is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers, Provider SW-0025. New Jersey: This program will NOT be submitted for pre-approval for New Jersey social workers.

Marriage/Family Therapy: The Institute for Continuing Education is a recognized provider of continuing education by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for MFT, Provider MFT-0012. Massachusetts: This program has not been pre-approved for MA MFTs. 

Play Therapy: The Institute for Continuing Education is approved by The Association for Play Therapy to sponsor continuing education specific to play therapy. The Institute maintains responsibility for the program. APT Approved Provider 98-040. New England Association for Play Therapy APT Approved Provider 02-123. Due to COVID-19 health concerns, this one-time online event has been approved by APT for 3 CONTACT CE Hours.

Skills Level: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced.  Attendees are urged to review the session descriptions to determine appropriateness for professional and personal needs.

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

ADA/Section 504: If you have special needs, please contact Woody Belt at conferenceneapt@gmail.com.