• A Synergetic Approach to Education (A Synergetic Education Institute Program)

    This program is for you if you work IN SCHOOLS (as a school counselor, social worker or psychologist, or a school-based mental health professional) or if you COLLABORATE WITH educators or schools!

    **For all program details and dates of when this program is offered, please visit the Synergetic Education Institute's website**

    A Synergetic Approach to Education (formerly One Foot in Education: Exploring Education Through an SPT Lens) offered by our sister institute, the Synergetic Education Institute, is a distinct and transformative approach to learning and teaching, working at the intersection of education and mental health! Synergetic educators recognize that the collaborative efforts of educators, students, classrooms, and educational systems produce a more substantial impact than individual contributions. This approach spans the landscape of working with students and perceived challenges and barriers, considering all aspects of learners and the learning environment. It incorporates neuroscience and nervous system regulation research with empowerment practices to create positive change within the immediate environment while maintaining a broader perspective using integrated and differentiated approaches. You will delve into strategies designed for educational settings that promote trauma-informed, social-emotional support within schools. You'll learn to implement these strategies as well as understand the neuroscience behind them, empowering you to support others in deepening their knowledge and awareness. You will also learn how to...
    • Implement approaches based on neuroscience that support the development of self-regulation skills, including critical skills that are often missing from SEL programming.
    • Support educators in understanding how to prepare brains and bodies to learn, including articulating the links between neurophysiological states and classroom behaviors
    • Identify the dynamics behind complex student-adult relationships and how to shift these challenging interactions.
    • Increase feelings of safety and belonging for students and adults
    • Implement small shifts in daily routines that include explicitly teaching critical skills using both "top-down" and "bottom-up" approaches.
    • Reframe “resistance” to meeting educators at their level of readiness.
    • Embody Synergetic Play Therapy® principles and collaborate with teachers to empower them and shift their perceptions of students
    "This course has been life-changing for me personally and for so many of the clients and families I work with! I love that your class applies to clinical practice as well! Judith has a brilliant mind and it was an honor to learn from her. I am so grateful. There are moments in your life that are pivotal and I know my Synergetic Play Therapy (SPT) and SPT in schools are one of those pivotal moments for me as a professional and a mom." - Chey Cochran, LPC Check out the clip below for a sample of what you can expect during live webinars!
    Program Prerequisites: This program requires that you have taken a Level 1 Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy® program. This includes the completion of one of the following: If you have not yet completed one of the above programs, you now have the opportunity to meet the prerequisites for A Synergetic Approach to Education by taking the new Fundamentals Course through the Synergetic Education Institute!* *The Fundamentals Course has been created specifically for individuals who wish to take a Synergetic Approach to Education but have not yet completed a Level 1 Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy® program. This course will take you through key Synergetic Play Therapy® principles, creating a foundation on which to build. Please note: This course has been paired down to focus on specific concepts to prepare students for A Synergetic Approach to Education, and, therefore, is not a full replacement for the Level 1 Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy® program.  Should your goal be to apply for the Synergetic Play Therapy Certification program, you must complete the entire Introduction program.
  • You've landed in the right place! Whether you've had Synergetic Play Therapy® training and are searching for ongoing support in its application OR you're new to Synergetic Play Therapy® and would like to receive consultation through an SPT lens, we've got you covered! This is for you if you:
    • Have previously enrolled or are currently enrolled in an SPT course and want ongoing support to continue to learn and grow in your application of Synergetic Play Therapy®;
    • Have taken any of our 1-hr, 2-hr, 3-hr courses and would like consultation from an SPT lens;
    • Have ever attended an event or 2-day training with Lisa Dion and would like consultation to continue to integrate what you learned into your practice;
    • Or have never taken a course through the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute® and would just love consultation support from an SPT lens!
    Use the dropdown menu below to select the duration of the individual consultation session you would like to purchase: Individual Consultation - 30 minutes, Individual Consultation - 50 minutes.  For 50 min group consultation, please refer to the details in the description of this product. Then use the quantity tool to select how many of these sessions you would like to purchase and add to cart! If you're a student currently enrolled in the Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy® course or the SPT Certification program and you need to "make-up" a required session, please CLICK HERE to be redirected to the correct product.  
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  • Space is Very Limited! Sign Up TODAY to Reserve Your Spot!

    Renewal of the Certified Synergetic Play Therapist or Certified Synergetic Play Provider credential is required every 3 years. In order to renew, students must earn at least 18 hours of CE credits specific to Synergetic Play Therapy. Excess hours may not be rolled over into the next 3 year cycle. If CE credits are not submitted, students will no longer be able to use the title Certified Synergetic Play Therapist or Certified Synergetic Play Provider until renewal occurs. This program meets the FULL requirement of renewing your Certified Synergetic Play Therapist or Certified Synergetic Play Provider credential! During the 3-Day In-Person Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy program, you will have the opportunity to go back to the foundational understandings and tenets of Synergetic Play Therapy. Likely, the first time you took a Level 1 Introductory course/program, you spent the majority of your time trying to orient towards a new way of being in the playroom while grabbing ahold of some of the details of the Synergetic Play Therapy philosophy. This is why it is so important to go back to the basics every few years, to review and stay up to date on the most current information. Now you have the opportunity to do so and fill in the missing details in your understanding IN PERSON! Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy Recertification Program Requirements: 
    • Attend and participate fully in 3 days of in-person training in Chicago, Illinois, USA.
    • Complete additional online video lessons.
    • Complete an Integration Assignment to help you reflect on and demonstrate your learning.
    *For program details and objectives, see below.
  • SOLD OUT!

    This advanced program, designed for those who have completed the Synergetic Play Therapy® Certification program, is an immersive 4-day in-person experience offering an in-depth exploration of advanced Synergetic Play Therapy® concepts. You’ll learn to apply these concepts across a broad spectrum of client groups and age ranges from children, caregivers, groups/families and teens/adults. Throughout the program, you will engage in interactive learning experiences, including dynamic role-plays and live demonstrations. These activities will allow you to observe and influence real-time therapeutic scenarios, enhancing your Synergetic Play Therapy® skills and theoretical understanding. Additionally, you’ll collaborate with fellow SPTers, sharing insights and discussing complex cases to enrich your learning experience. 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 Synergetic Play Therapy® 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 Synergetic Play Therapy® 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.
    This program is crafted to integrate your existing knowledge with advanced teachings, boosting your confidence and proficiency in Synergetic Play Therapy® theory and tenets. Join us to expand your skills and deepen your practice, gaining valuable tools to enhance your therapeutic work with different client groups and across the lifespan!   See program details below.
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  • COME BACK TO REVIEW, REFRESH, & KEEP LEARNING KEY INTRODUCTORY CONCEPTS OF SYNERGETIC PLAY THERAPY - FOR FREE!

    JANUARY 2025 - JUNE 2025

    As a previous student of any Level 1 Introductory program (Online/In-person Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy, Synergetic Play Therapy Supplemental, Synergetic Play Therapy Intensive), you are invited to come back for this FREE Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy Refresher course. Each month, you will get access to short videos that highlight important and key introductory concepts of Synergetic Play Therapy. These videos will be followed up by a monthly LIVE one-hour webinar with Judy Norman, Certified Synergetic Play Therapy Teacher, Certified Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor, and Co-instructor, along with Lisa, for the Synergetic Play Therapy Certification program, for an opportunity to come back into community. That’s six new opportunities to review, connect, and deepen your learning of the basic principles of Synergetic Play Therapy! Plus, you’ll get access to handouts and additional resources/short videos to keep the learning going. During the webinars, Judy will add in new understandings, as well as help you review, deepen, and continue to apply the basic principles and key concepts of Synergetic Play Therapy into your clinical practice or daily life. Plus, Lisa is constantly learning herself and updating the Synergetic Play Therapy teachings, so this course will also give you the opportunity to hear new nuances and insights as they have been added to the Level 1 program. This course is only open to those who have already completed a Level 1 SPT Introductory program. Please contact info@synergeticplaytherapy.com if you have questions.

    For more details, see below.

  • Registration closes July 30, 2025, for the 3.5 Day Learning Retreat!

    Did you know that as an esteemed alumnus of the Synergetic Play Therapy Certification program, you have the opportunity to return to the online learning retreats and join new cohorts of the Certification program - eager, possibly terrified, and ready to be inspired? (Remember that?)
    Why Come Back?
    As part of the ongoing commitment to keep the teaching of Synergetic Play Therapy ever-evolving, we continue to update the Certification program content. By returning to the online learning retreats, you will:
    • Be reminded of the power of the SPT Tenets
    • Receive some of the most up-to-date and current understanding of interpersonal neurobiology and SPT theory
    • Practice your Synergetic Play Therapy skills with play, sand, and art
    • Have the opportunity to do your own personal work toward growth and transformation
    • "Come home" to yourself and find even more ways to be fearlessly authentic
    • Inspire the new cohort of aspiring Certified SPTers and share your own genius
    • AND, meet FULL SPT Credential/Recertification requirements!
    If you are ready to get back into community, refresh your SPT learning, and feel the excitement of the new SPTers on their own Certification journey, we would like to invite you back to join us for the 2025-2026 Synergetic Play Therapy Certification program online learning retreats! "I am always excited to repeat the retreats as an alumni for three reasons. First, there is always new information to be had. Second, each time I hear the information that Lisa imparts, I hear it in a different way. Lastly, it is so wonderful to be in such a supportive environment with like-minded people. I can’t get enough!" - Johanna Simmons, Certified Synergetic Play Therapist and Supervisor
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  • Space is Very Limited! Sign Up TODAY to Reserve Your Spot!

    Renewal of the Certified Synergetic Play Therapist or Certified Synergetic Play Provider credential is required every 3 years. In order to renew, students must complete an approved program focused on principle SPT concepts and submit a CE Verification Form to the Institute as confirmation. This program meets FULL SPT Credential Renewal/Recertification requirements for the Certified Synergetic Play Therapist/Certified Synergetic Play Provider credential! During the 3-Day In-Person Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy program, you will have the opportunity to go back to the foundational understandings and tenets of Synergetic Play Therapy. Likely, the first time you took a Level 1 Introductory course/program, you spent the majority of your time trying to orient towards a new way of being in the playroom while grabbing ahold of some of the details of the Synergetic Play Therapy philosophy. This is why it is so important to go back to the basics every few years, to review and stay up to date on the most current information. Now you have the opportunity to do so and fill in the missing details in your understanding IN PERSON! Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy Recertification Program Requirements: 
    • Attend and participate fully in 3 days of in-person training in Brisbane, Australia
    • Complete additional online video lessons
    • Complete an Integration Assignment to help you reflect on and demonstrate your learning
    *For program details and objectives, see below
  • Application Deadline is January 22, 2025!

    Becoming a Certified Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor isn’t just about offering guidance—it’s about embodying the core tenets of Synergetic Play Therapy and creating an environment where growth and transformation can happen for both you and your supervisees. In this program, you will:
    • Learn to establish strong, trusting supervisory relationships using SPT principles, understanding how to assess supervisees at different stages of their development and guide their growth.
    • Explore complex ethical dilemmas, including how to manage dual relationships, maintain authenticity, and apply legal and ethical considerations in the supervision process.
    • Master cultural awareness and humility by applying SPT tenets through a cultural opportunity lens, supporting therapists in navigating diversity in their clinical work.
    • Enhance your supervisory skills by using reflective practice to empower supervisees to explore their therapeutic work and personal development, while also reflecting on your own patterns as a supervisor.
    This newly revamped program is designed to ensure you’re equipped to provide a supervision experience that promotes both personal and professional growth in your supervisees. With 34.5 hours of training through live webinars, recorded lessons, and hands-on consultation, you’ll finish this program feeling empowered in your role as a supervisor. ***Before submitting your application, please review the APPLICATION CHECKLIST to ensure you have all of the necessary documents and meet all program requirements!

    APPLY NOW to Become a Certified Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor!

    For full program details including program prerequisites, program cost, live webinar dates, and CE Credit Hour information, keep scrolling!
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