- 6-Month Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy program
- 3-Day In-Person Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy program
*If you completed a Level 1 Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy program more than 3 years before the start date of this program, you must contact the Institute directly to request an exception to policy.
Program Details:
This program contains a total of 98 hours of engagement!
- The program begins with 3.5 days (21 hours) together in community with our first online learning retreat.
- Halfway through the program, we will reconvene for an additional 4.5 days (27 hours) for the second online learning retreat.
- During the program (with the exception of August, December, and January), we will meet twice a month via live webinar (1.5 hours each).
- The Certification process also includes 4, one-hour Pre-Certification Consultation sessions, and 9, one-hour Certification Consultation sessions (combination of group and individual) during the program with a Synergetic Play Therapy Consultant for a total of 13 consultation hours
- Plus, students will have additional monthly assignments to integrate learning.
*CE Credit Hours are not awarded for time spent in consultation, however, consultation is a mandatory aspect of this program.
Program Dates: August 19, 2027 – May 16, 2028
Online Learning Retreat Dates: There will be two online learning retreats during this program: 3.5 Day Learning Retreat and 4.5 Day Learning Retreat. There are two retreat dates/times for each learning retreat to accommodate the many varying time zones of our global community and to ensure balanced and engaging experiences. The two retreat dates/times will be listed as “Retreat A” and “Retreat B”, below. All times are listed in Mountain Time (Denver).
*Students will be automatically assigned to either Retreat A or Retreat B based on their location in the world. Use the link below to determine your retreat assignment.
Click here to see the breakdown of retreat assignments by location/time zone.
3.5 Day Online Learning Retreat
- Retreat A: August 19 – August 22, 2027, 7am-2:30pm Mountain Time (Denver) – (the last day ends at 10am MT)
- Retreat B: August 28 – August 31, 2027, 3-10:30pm Mountain Time (Denver) – (the last day ends at 6pm MT) *August 29 – September 1, 2027, 7am-2:30pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) – (the last day ends at 10am AEST)
4.5 Day Online Learning Retreat
- Retreat A: January 12 – January 16, 2028, 7am-2:30pm Mountain Time (Denver) – (the last day ends at 10am MT)
- Retreat B: January 22 – January 26, 2028, 2-9:30pm Mountain Time (Denver) – (the last day ends at 5pm MT) *January 23 – January 27, 2028, 7am-2:30pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) – (the last day ends at 10am AEDT)
Live Webinar Dates: All live webinars will be held from 3-4:30 PM Mountain Time (Denver)
- 2027 Dates: September 14th and September 28th, October 12th and October 26th, November 9th and November 30th
- 2028 Dates: February 8th and February 22nd, March 7th and March 21st, April 4th and April 18th, May 2nd and 16th (Graduation)
*If you reside in a time zone other than Mountain Time (Denver), you may use this Time Converter Toolto adjust the above dates/times to your time zone.
*Access to program materials ends August 31, 2028.
Program Requirements:
- Completion of a total of 13 hours of consultation: 4 Pre-Certification Consultations before the program begins and 9 Certification Consultations during the program (7 individual and 2 group) *If you are unable to complete all four Pre-Certification Consultations before the program begins, you will complete them during the program with your consultant.
- Full attendance and completion of both online learning retreats during the program
- Full attendance at all live webinars during the program
- Completion of all homework assignments during the program, approximately 2-3 hours a month. Homework includes watching recordings of play therapy sessions, completing video observation forms, and personal reflections.
- Completion of 5 recorded sessions with clients and the corresponding Self Observation Forms (One of these sessions must be with a parent/caregiver)
- Completion of 4 skill assessments with an SPT Consultant (the Introduction to SPT to Skill Development form during Pre-Certification and three Certification Skill Development forms during the program)
- Demonstration of proficiency in 100% of Intro to SPT Skills and at least 80% of Certification Skills by end of program
- Completion of Client/Child Contact Hours: If seeking the Certified Synergetic Play Therapist credential, completion of 250 contact hours. If seeking the Certified Synergetic Play Provider credential, 150 contact hours. *Hours accrued while in a Level 1 program, plus any hours accrued while under the supervision/receiving consultation from an SPT Supervisor or Consultant count towards the total client/child contact hours needed.
Click here to see a full breakdown of Program Requirements by Synergetic Play Therapy Credential
What You’ll Learn:
Participants will gain a greater understanding and knowing of the Synergetic Play Therapy model, as well as, an in-depth look at the neuroscience and research behind the model. We ask therapists/providers to go within to further ask the question, “Who am I?” with the understanding that as the authentic self emerges, therapists can increase their capacity to facilitate deeper and more complex processes within the child. Therapists/providers will also continue to learn the details of the application of the Synergetic Play Therapy tenets and principles while fine tuning their skills through direct practice.
Synergetic Play Therapy Certification Program Learning Objectives:
3.5 Day Synergetic Play Therapy Certification Learning Retreat
- Explain “the Values” framework and discuss how this applies to the families you work with and yourself in play therapy
- Demonstrate how to work with fears as a way to develop yourself as a play therapist through the play therapy process
- Explain the importance of Interoception for developing the capacity for self regulation and co regulation in play therapy
- Identify the 5 types of reflection statements used in Synergetic Play Therapy®
- Explain the 4 steps of how the Mirror Neuron system works in Synergetic Play Therapy®
- Explain how attunement between therapist and child is essential in order to re-pattern the states of activation of the autonomic nervous system in a play therapy session.
- Determine how the play therapist’s ability to use mindfulness to be congruent and authentic in their language and non-verbal signals during play therapy sessions allows the child to feel safe in the relationship and engage in “reflective awareness”
- Discuss when a caregiver needs to be in a play therapy session and the key skills to teach the caregiver in order to be in the playroom
- Prepare and demonstrate how to explain a child’s symptoms through the lens of states of activation of the autonomic nervous system to caregivers
- Prepare and demonstrate how to explain the Synergetic Play Therapy Therapeutic Stages of Change to caregivers when discussing how to support their child
- Describe how to use the Synergetic Play Therapy Process of Change as a way to talk to caregivers about changes occurring in the play therapy process
- Explore how “shoulds” impact the ability to be authentic and attuned in the playroom
- Explore the attachment process from a Synergetic Play Therapy® lens and how to use this information to promote healing during a play therapy session
Planes of Possibility and Peaks and Plateaus in Synergetic Play Therapy
- Explain the concept of Planes of Possibility, Plateaus and Peak Experiences and their implication in play therapy
- Describe how regulation during a play therapy session can change Plateau and Peak Experiences in the child’s brain
- Describe the importance of working “under the story” in order to change neural firing during a play therapy session
- Differentiate how transference and countertransference are an inevitable part of the play therapy experience and ways to begin to uncover earlier associated memories
Memory and Narratives and Rewiring through the Vagus Nerve in Synergetic Play Therapy
- Discuss the difference between implicit and explicit memory and the importance of co-regulation to change the child’s neural pathways during a play therapy session
- Discuss how memory is impacted during a traumatic event and how the play therapist acts as the master puzzle maker and external regulator to help the child integrate their traumatic memories during a play therapy session
- Analyze how a play therapist’s own personal narrative can influence their ability to become the “external regulator” by decreasing their window of tolerance when certain emotions, thoughts and sensations arise in a play therapy session
- Assess how integration and co-regulation is influenced by the vagus nerve and discover two ways the vagus nerve can be strengthened during play therapy sessions
Emotions and the Mind in Synergetic Play Therapy
- Describe how emotions or “energy in motion” correspond with the nervous system states that arise during a play therapy session
- Identify specific questions play therapists can ask themselves when dysregulated in order to help integrate their perceptions and regulate their emotions during a play therapy session
- Discuss how regulating both the body and the mind are necessary in order to become the external regulator in a play therapy session
4.5 Day Synergetic Play Therapy Certification Learning Retreat
- Describe the different development stages that a child goes through and how they show up during play therapy sessions
- Explain what regression looks like in the playroom and determine how to support a child when this occurs during a play therapy session
- Understand the importance of titrating the development of interoceptive awareness based on the child’s window of tolerance during a play therapy session
- Identify 4 clues to help identify the child’s emotional age in a play therapy session
- Prepare and demonstrate an understanding of the principles of Synergetic Play Therapy® theory through group presentations
- Demonstrate ways of using the sand in play therapy through non-directive and directive (Gestalt therapy) approaches
- Discuss and experience the connection between how a child plays with sand and art and their nervous system during a play therapy session
- Analyze the developmental stages of art and how to use this information to determine the emotional age of the child through their play therapy art process
- Demonstrate ways of using art in play therapy through non-directive and directive (Gestalt therapy) approaches
- Determine when a therapist might use Directive vs. Non-Directive interventions during a play therapy session
Sensory Processing in Synergetic Play Therapy
- Analyze the sensory system and how sensory difficulties show up during a play therapy session
- Determine how to view behaviors as clues to potential sensory sensitivities or challenges in play therapy
- Explore how to use Synergetic Play Therapy® with children on the sensory spectrum
Directive Interventions with Groups, Families, Teens, Siblings and Adults in Synergetic Play Therapy
- Explain family systems from the lens of Nervous System states and the play therapist’s role as their external regulator in the playroom during a play therapy session
- Describe and discuss how to apply Synergetic Play Therapy® principles to groups
- Discuss ways to apply Synergetic Play Therapy® principles to Teens, Siblings and Adults
Endings and Transitions in Synergetic Play Therapy
- Discuss the “goodbye process” and how to facilitate it with caregivers and children in play therapy
- Describe what it means to be a Synergetic Play Therapist in a play therapy session
- Explain strategies and ending rituals for facilitating final play therapy sessions
Recognizing Empowerment in Synergetic Play Therapy
- Determine what empowerment is and how to recognize it in a play therapy session
- Describe the importance of tracking small moments of empowerment, as well as larger empowerment experiences in the child’s play therapy process
- Explain how to use directive interventions to help deepen a child’s experience of empowerment during a play therapy session
Presenters:
Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S and Judith Norman, MA, MS, LPC, RPT-S*
Application & Registration Deadlines:
Application Deadlines:
- To qualify for Early Bird pricing, an application must be submitted by April 1, 2027
- Final application deadline is June 16, 2027
Payment/Registration Deadlines:
- Early Bird payment deadline is April 30, 2027
- Final payment deadline is June 30, 2027
*Should the program meet its registration cap before the dates specified above, a waitlist will be available.
Program Cost:
The Synergetic Play Therapy Certification Program draws students from all around the world. In recognition of the difference in currency strengths and exchange rates, and the impact that has on our global community, The Synergetic Play Therapy Institute has developed a Currency-Based Pricing Structure to support our students.
Please find your currency in the chart, below, to understand your payment options:
Click here to view the Full Program Pricing and Payment Plan Chart
*A $150 USD non-refundable Application Fee is due at the time of registration and contributes to the total cost of the program. Once payment is received, you will be sent an email with the link to the online application. The remaining cost of the program will not be due until after the application is approved. (See further details in the Refund Policy section below.)
CE Credit Hours:
85 CE Credit Hours. NBCC Content Area: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Counseling Relationship; Social and Cultural Foundations; Group Dynamics and Counseling; and Career Development and Counseling
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.
Synergetic Play Therapy Institute is also an Approved Provider for the following associations:
*Australian Play Therapists Association (APTA) Approved Provider
*British Columbia Play Therapy Association (BCPTA) Approved Provider 23-01
Continuing education credit hours may be awarded to graduate-level counselors or students enrolled in a graduate-level mental health program. If you do not qualify for continuing education credit hours and would like to receive a certificate of completion for this course please contact the Institute directly.
Partial CE credit hours will not be awarded. Individuals must meet all program requirements in order to receive CE credit hours for this program.
A full refund, less the cost of any completed pre-certification consultations and the $150 USD non-refundable application fee, will be provided if the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute is notified within 30 calendar days of program registration.
No refunds will be issued after 30 calendar days from the date of program registration OR after June 30th of the program year, whichever comes first. However, participants may transfer their payment to another program offered by the Institute or may transfer their registration to the following year. Requests for transfers must be made at least 30 days before the original program start date.
In the case of an emergency situation that prevents participation in the program, please contact the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute directly to discuss your options. Emergency considerations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis at the Institute’s discretion.
*The $150 USD application fee is non-refundable with the exception of your application being denied. Should you be denied acceptance into the program, you will be refunded the $150 application fee less a 3.5% processing fee. Please contact the Institute if you have any questions.
