Welcome to Synergetic Play Therapy Teacher Training Program! We’re so excited that you will be joining Lisa and Judy in learning how to teach Synergetic Play Therapy to other practitioners. We know that the journey ahead is a big climb up a mountain, but the view at the top is so worth it and we are prepared to hold your hand and cheer you on every step of the way. Thank you for stepping forward and being willing to go on this training journey.
In this “course site” you will find all the supporting documents, resources, handouts, videos, and class recordings needed to support you through this program. An overview of the training is provided below.
Training Overview:
Parts 1 & 2: Knowledge of Material
3-Day In-Person Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy:
You are required to attend a 3-Day In-Person Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy program in order to fully understand the program.
- During the program, you will answer reflective questions to start to work on identifying your most significant learning curve with each module.
Part 1. Understanding the Sequence Live webinar
In this 1-hour webinar, you will begin to learn:
- How concepts build. The rationale behind the order and the content.
- Significance of teaching a concept followed by a story/video/experiential.
- Difference between Introduction and Certification content and why?
- Macro and Micro understanding of content–overview of content and how the individual modules fit together and are also standalone concepts.
- Importance of experiential learning.
- How to create dissonance for students.
- Differences in content between In-Person versus the Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy programs and also the difference between the Level 1 programs and the Becoming an External Regulator course.
Part 2. Learning the Content (Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy pre-recorded Modules):
This part of the training is designed to help you learn the content itself. Every other month you will study a module and then present it to Lisa and Judy the following month.
- Watch the videos from the In-Person Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy Program as a study guide. A PowerPoint will be provided to you. You will be required to use this PowerPoint when you teach; however, you can start to make it your own (parameters and instructions will be included). You will also use some of your own stories instead of using Lisa’s stories.
- Recommendations: Record and watch yourself teach the module and/or teach others and ask them to rate the learning objectives prior to presenting it to Lisa and Judy.
- Following each presentation, you will have a follow-up meeting to discuss the presentation and access areas of strength and growth, etc.
Part 3: How to Teach to Different Audiences
This 2- or 3-day in-person component of the training will be an opportunity for us to be together and start to role play scenarios and fine tune how to teach Synergetic Play Therapy. During our time, you will:
- Re-present modules that were clunky
- Learn what to do in common teaching scenarios and challenges and practice handling them via role plays
- Explore fears, potential audience triggers and teaching insecurities (worksheet to be done ahead of time)
- Explore learning theory applied to the teacher and developmental mindset
- Learn how to stick with content and objectives and not jump ahead to other concepts
- Learn how to weave a thread through the 3 days
- Practice live demos
- Learn how to create A-ha moments
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Identify common push backs to SPT
Part 4: Additional Training (if needed)
Based on skill assessments and areas of growth, you may be asked to complete additional teaching requirements in order to be ready to co-teach the Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy program with Lisa or Judy.
Part 5: Begin to Co-Teach with Judy and Lisa: 3 In-person programs until able to teach on own or in pairs.
Once you have been successful in all skill assessments and have completed all requirements, you can start to co-teach with Lisa and Judy. In addition, you will be asked to:
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Complete a Demartini Method on Lisa and Judy (specific to them as teachers)
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Participate in a mini training with either Lisa or Judy to discuss how to prepare for the presentation: room set up, materials, sound check, equipment, supplies, sign-in sheets, marketing, and etc.
Formal Training Timeline: 7-year commitment
Year 1: Initial Training
Years 2-3: 1 to 2 years of co-teaching with Lisa Dion and Judy Norman
Years 3-7: Teaching SPT solo or in pairs, depending on what is needed.
Program Requirements:
During the 7 years of training, the expectation is that you will stay current in your SPT certification and supervisor certification and in SPT programming (attend Self-Mastery and Advanced SPT, any new SPT specific programs created). Staying current is important to understand sequencing and the developmental nature of SPT concepts. It also helps with your ability to plant seeds while training when you have the larger picture of all the programming. It also deepens your certainty of the fundamental concepts and tenets.