I’m so excited to welcome you to the Advanced Synergetic Play Therapy® Training Program on beautiful Vancouver Island! You’ve already made the incredible decision to join us for this special experience, and I couldn’t be more delighted to have you as part of this journey.

Over four immersive days—May 3-6, 2025—we’ll dive deeper than ever into Synergetic Play Therapy®, expanding your skills and understanding across different client groups and developmental stages. This advanced training is designed to help you push the boundaries of your SPT practice, explore new techniques, and step confidently into more complex therapeutic scenarios.

Together, we’ll learn through direct experience—whether it’s witnessing live demonstrations, engaging in role-play, or exploring the nuances of the SPT model in real-time. You’ll see me, right there in the middle of the room, playing out scenarios, pausing, answering questions, and adjusting in the moment based on your insights. This dynamic environment allows us all to grow together, fostering both community and deeper learning.

I hope you’re feeling as excited as I am about the richness and depth we’re going to explore together. You’re not only stepping into an advanced level of SPT but also into a beautiful community of fellow practitioners who are ready to learn, share, and grow alongside you.

This experience will be unforgettable, full of connection, play, and profound learning moments. Remember to bring your curiosity, openness, and willingness to explore new dimensions of yourself as a Certified Synergetic Play Therapist/Provider.

Thank you for choosing to continue this journey. I can’t wait to see you there and take this next step together in advancing your Synergetic Play Therapy® skills!

With so much love and excitement,

Lisa

This four day, 24-hour, live event includes an immersive and experiential learning experience with Lisa Dion with a focus on working with children, caregivers, groups & families, and adults. Each day, you will begin by reviewing what you learned during the Synergetic Play Therapy® Certification program. We will then work through all of the complexities by role playing specific scenarios and application. You will work with other Certified SPTers to practice and deepen your understanding of these advanced Synergetic Play Therapy® skills.

Day 1: Children

  • Deepen your understanding of working with children in Synergetic Play Therapy.
  • Engage in role play scenarios to handle complex child behaviors and emotions.
  • Learn to deepen the therapeutic relationship and foster greater attachment to self and healing for your young clients.

Day 2: Parents/Caregivers

  • Learn more ways to support and engage parents and caregivers.
  • Gain a greater understanding of how to become the caregiver’s external regulator and involve them in their child’s healing process.

Day 3: Groups/Families

  • Go deeper applying your SPT skills with groups and families.
  • Watch Lisa facilitate complex family and group dynamic scenarios.
  • Learn to navigate and resolve challenges within group and family therapy settings.

Day 4: Teens/Adults

  • Deepen your understanding of Synergetic Psychotherapy for teen and adult clients.
  • Apply your SPT skills (authenticity, mindfulness, emotional congruence, reflective dialogue, regulation, etc.) and tailor them to your teen and adult clients.
  • Explore how to “SPT” your sessions with teens and adult clients, supporting them in moving from deflective awareness to reflective awareness.

We are also working to coordinate an opportunity for all participants to tour Marie Jose Dhaese’s Centre for Expressive Therapy in small groups! More information to come!

Program Dates/Schedule & Breakfast/Lunch Information:

When: May 3-6, 2025, 8:30am – 3:30pm Pacific Time (Vancouver Island)

Program Schedule: All times below are listed in Pacific Time (Vancouver Island)

  • Day 1: Focus on Children
    • 7:45am – 8:15am Continental Breakfast
    • 8:30am – 12:30pm Teaching
    • 12:30pm – 1:30pm Lunch provided
    • 1:30pm – 3:30pm Teaching
  • Day 2: Focus on Caregivers
    • 7:45am – 8:15am Continental Breakfast
    • 8:30am – 12:30pm Teaching
    • 12:30pm – 1:30pm Lunch provided
    • 1:30pm – 3:30pm Teaching
  • Day 3: Focus on Groups & Families
    • 7:45am – 8:15am Continental Breakfast
    • 8:30am – 12:30pm Teaching
    • 12:30pm – 1:30pm Lunch provided
    • 1:30pm – 3:30pm Teaching
  • Day 4: Focus on Adults
    • 7:45am – 8:15am Continental Breakfast
    • 8:30am – 12:30pm Teaching
    • 12:30pm – 1:30pm Lunch provided
    • 1:30pm – 3:30pm Teaching

*Short breaks will also be woven in throughout each day as needed.

Continental breakfast and lunch will be provided each day! Continental Breakfast will include:

  • Selection of Fresh Seasonal Whole Fruit
  • Selection of Fresh Baked Croissants
  • Muffins, Biscuits & Fruit Preserves
  • Fruit Yogurt Parfaits
  • Housemade Oatmeal with Raisins & Brown Sugar (Vegan, Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free)

To ensure that all allergy and dietary requirements are met for lunches, please complete the Dietary Requirements Questionnaire below by no later than April 12, 2025:

Dietary Requirements Questionnaire

What To Bring With You:

  • Program Handouts
  • Your favorite way to take notes (notebook and pen, laptop, etc.)
  • Candle

Program Location/Hotel Information and Transportation:

Program Location: Tigh-Na-Mara Resort, 1155 Resort Drive, Parksville, BC V9P 2E3, Vancouver Island, Canada

Hotel Reservations: Please call Tigh-Na-Mara Resort directly and speak with the Reservations Department at 800-663-7373 (identify yourself as part of the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute® group in order to receive the group rate of $305 CAD). Hotel Room Reservations need to be booked by Tuesday, April 1, 2025. Click here for currency exchange rates!

All hotel guests will also have access to luxury accommodations such as:

  • 22 acres of tranquil forest and 3 kilometres of sandy beach to explore
  • Ocean swimming- Parksville is known for its sandy beaches and the warmest ocean waters in Canada. Tigh-Na-Mara is situated on three kilometers of sandy, tidal flat beach, meaning the tide goes out approximately one kilometer, leaving behind small pools that heat up in the sun. When the tide comes in, these pools mix with the cooler ocean and can be as warm as 75-80 degrees F or 25C.
  • Grotto Spa: Located on the resort, voted Canada’s #1 Spa. Immerse yourself in the Sauna Garden, boasting 4, 8-person saunas, cozy lounge chairs, inviting fire pits and beverage service. Indulge in our Mineral Pool, Whirlpool and cascading Waterfalls, all while fostering connections with loved ones and fellow guests, free from the interruptions of phones and the outside world. (Available at additional cost, reservations required ahead of time.)
  • And, an indoor swimming pool, whirlpool and sauna, a fitness center, and tennis courts!

Space is limited so get your reservations confirmed today! If you’re looking for a roommate, email us and we’ll help you coordinate.

Near the resort there are additional exciting things to do at an additional cost:

  • Ocean Ecoventures
  • Sea Kayaking
  • Horne Lake Caves
  • Milner Gardens & Woodlands
  • Mount Washington

Traveling to the Resort:

By Plane:

  • Connecting flights from Vancouver International fly into the neighbouring Nanaimo Airport and Comox Valley Airport.
  • Harbour Air Seaplanes and Helijet offer flights from downtown Vancouver to downtown Nanaimo, among other routes.
  • Helijet also offers a shuttle service from Nanaimo Harbour to Tigh-Na-Mara. Call Helijet to arrange.
  • WestJet flies direct from Calgary and Edmonton into Comox and from Calgary to Nanaimo (Only available from Eastern Canada).

By Car:

  • From Victoria:
    Drive north on Highway 1 to Nanaimo, just south of Nanaimo, take the exit for Highway 19 and the North Island. Bus connections are available from downtown.
  • From Vancouver and the Fraser Valley:
    Take the Lion’s Gate or 2nd Narrows Bridge across Burrard Inlet, then follow the signs to Horseshoe Bay and take the BC Ferry to Nanaimo. Exit the ferry and keep to the 2 right lanes, then take Highway 19 North towards Parksville.
  • From Vancouver International Airport and South Vancouver:
    Take Highway 10 and 99, head to the BC Ferry terminal in Tsawwassen and catch the ferry to Duke Point (south Nanaimo). Head north on Highway 1 and then exit to Highway 19 and Parksville.
  • From Seattle:
    Head north on I-5 and cross the border at Blaine. Continue north on Highway 99 about 15 minutes, then take the exit for Tsawwassen and the ferries. Take the ferry to Nanaimo (Duke Point). Head north on Highway 1 and then exit to Highway 19 and Parksville. There are also ferries out of Anacortes and Port Angeles in Washington that will take you to Victoria, where you can follow Highway 1 and 19 north to Parksville and Qualicum Beach.
  • From Tofino or Ucluelet:
    Follow Hwy. 4, the 2 – 2 ½ hour drive leads directly to Qualicum Beach.
  • From the Comox Valley:
    Take either the scenic coastal Oceanside Route 19A south from Courtenay, or the four-lane Inland Island Highway 19 south. Either way, Parksville & Qualicum Beach are less than an hour away.

By Ferry:

  • BC Ferries with Car:
    A leisurely ferry ride between the BC Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island allow visitors to experience the unique geography and wildlife of this coast.
  • BC Ferries by Foot:
    If you are travelling on BC Ferry via foot we are happy to provide you with transportation options you can reserve prior to your trip, from the Ferry Terminal to Tigh-Na-Mara. Please note the following:

National Car Rental – 250-758-3509
National Airporter – 778-441-2133
Island Chauffeur – 250-954-9694

View BC Ferry Schedule Times

If you would like support planning your trip, please contact Tigh-Na-Mara Resort directly with questions!

CE Credit Hours: 24 CE Credit Hours, NBCC Content Area: Counselor Professional Identity and Practice Issues

Synergetic Play Therapy Institute has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7450. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Synergetic Play Therapy Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

*NBCC credit may not be awarded to non-mental health professionals. 

*This program offers CE credits through the British Columbia Play Therapy Association (BCPTA) Approved Provider #23-01 and Australian Play Therapists Association (APTA) Approved Provider.

*This program meets FULL SPT Credential Renewal/Recertification requirements for the Certified Synergetic Play Therapist/Certified Synergetic Play Provider credentials. 

Click on the first lesson below “Advanced Synergetic Play Therapy® Training Program 2025 – Program Agreements” to get started!