February 2027 In-Person Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy Program (Vancouver)

WELCOME to Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy!

We are so glad that you have chosen to sign up for this program and that we will have a chance to learn and grow together for three full days IN PERSON. In order to help you get started, please read through the information on this page (we know it is long), as it includes all of the information that you need.

As a reminder, in this 3-day in-person program we will explore the basic components of Synergetic Play Therapy and truly have a one-of-a-kind experience. This program was designed for both beginners and advanced practitioners.

The 3-day program will cover 18 hours of content and will be followed by mandatory group consultation with a Synergetic Play Therapy Consultant. You will also be required to complete 2 one-hour pre-recorded additional videos and a Book Review on the required book, Aggression in Play Therapy: a Neurological Approach to Intensity. Plus, you will get access to a Bonus video lesson on the topic of Synergetic Play Therapy and Teletherapy! If you are interested and qualify for NBCC, BCPTA, or APTA-Approved CE Credit Hours, you will have the opportunity to collect one certificate at the end of the course after completing the Book Review.

If you have any questions, never hesitate to ask. We are here for you and want to make this a great experience. We are looking forward to being with you in person very soon!

Love, 

Lisa and Helen

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Meet Your Instructors:

Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S, is an international teacher, creator of Synergetic Play Therapy, founder and President of the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute, co-founder of the Synergetic Education Institute, creator of the Business of Therapy and host of the Lessons from the Playroom podcast. She is the author of Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach for Integrating Intensity and is the 2015 recipient of the Association for Play Therapy’s Professional Education and Training Award of Excellence.

Helen Ritchie is a Certified Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor and Teacher, BC Registered Play Therapy Supervisor, and Certified AutPlay Provider in private practice in Vancouver, Canada. She offers bilingual (English/French) therapy for children, teens, adults, and parents using SPT, Theraplay, and EMDR. With over 25 years of experience in school counselling and science education, Helen is passionate about supporting play therapists in discovering their authentic selves. She also teaches the neuroscience of behaviour through a Synergetic Play Therapy lens to therapists, school staff, and childcare professionals. Helen currently serves as Education Chair and is a former President of the BC Play Therapy Association.

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In-Person Program Schedule: February 19-21, 2027. Each day we will meet from 9:00am – 4:30pm Pacific Time (Vancouver).

Other Important Dates: After our time together in person, you will have 4 months of 6, 1-hour group consultations with a Synergetic Play Therapy Consultant AND will need to complete 2, 1-hour video lessons, a bonus video lesson, and a book review. These lessons will be released in the months following the 3 days of in-person training to support your continued learning. 

Please take note of the following dates:

• Pre-Recorded Video Lesson: Synergetic Play Therapy & Cultural Humility will become available on March 1, 2027
• Pre-Recorded Video Lesson: 4 Threats & the Set Up Through a Cultural Lens will become available April 1, 2027
• Bonus Video Lesson: Synergetic Play Therapy and Teletherapy and Module 1 Video Review will become available on May 1, 2027
• Synergetic Play Therapy & Cultural Humility and 4 Threats & the Set Up Through a Cultural Lens Quiz lesson will become available on May 1, 2027
• Book Review: Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurological Approach for Integrating Intensity will become available on June 1, 2027
• Course access expires August 31, 2027

Once you have completed all of the above requirements, you will have an opportunity to print one program Certificate acknowledging the CE Credit Hours earned during this program. You must complete all program requirements by August 31, 2027, in order to receive a certificate. Keep scrolling for more information.

*Please remember that Group Consultation is a mandatory aspect of this program. More information regarding Group Consultation can be found below.

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Program Location Information:

The University of British Columbia, Robson Square
800 Robson Street, Vancouver, BC Canada V6Z 3B7

For information related to transportation and parking, please visit The University of British Columbia, Robson Square’s website, linked above, or call +1 604-822-3333.

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What to Bring With You to the 3-Day In-Person Training:

• Program Handouts, see below for more information
• A handful of miniatures/toys for experientials
• Your favorite way to take notes (notebook and pen, laptop, etc.)
• The required book, Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurological Approach for Integrating Intensity, see below

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Program Handouts: All handouts needed for this program can be found in the lesson titled “3-Day Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy (Vancouver 2027) Program Program Handouts”. This lesson will be made available to you one week prior to the start of the program.

Please print the provided handouts during that time and bring them with you on Day 1. Your instructors will be referencing these handouts throughout the 3-day training and you will need them to take notes.

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Mandatory Book: Please purchase the required book before the program begins: Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach for Integrating Intensity by Lisa Dion. If you have not already purchased the required reading, you may find the book sold at the following Canadian retailers:

• Indigo (formerly Chapters)
• Odin Books

*The book is also currently available in Audio format, as well as Spanish and Japanese translations!