Description
Program Details:
This four day, in-person program includes an immersive and experiential learning experience with Lisa Dion with a focus on deepening your understanding on how to work with children, caregivers, groups and families, and adults. A total of 24 hours of hands-on learning!
Each day, you will begin by reviewing what you learned during the Level 2 Synergetic Play Therapy Certification program. We will then work through advanced complexities by role playing specific scenarios and application. You will have the opportunity to work with other Certified SPTers to practice and deepen your understanding of these advanced Synergetic Play Therapy skills and connect with each other along the way. These four days are also focused on supporting you in discovering your edges, your growth, and ultimately helping you attach more deeply to yourself.
Get ready to explore:
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.
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.
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.
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.
When: April 10 – April 13, 2026, 8:30am – 3:30pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time
Where: Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort, 270 Ocean Drive, Twin Waters, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Novotel Sunshine Coast is a 4 star beachfront resort nestled between ocean and river and is the perfect combination of relaxation and adventure! The perfect place to reset, connect back to yourself, and enjoy time with fellow Certified SPTers. And, if you are planning to bring your family along, the resort has endless on-site activities for all ages!
Feeling Adventurous? Enjoy on-site activities like:
- Walking trails
- Catamaran sailing and kayaking on a private lagoon
- Watersports and paddle boarding
- Minigolf
- Outdoor fitness centers and gym
- and more!
Need Some R&R?
- Soak up some sun at the luxury pool
- Relax at the outdoor spa
- Enjoy dining at Sola restaurant and bar (with an alfresco deck!)
- Grab a barista-crafted coffee at the Deli Market and Cafe!
PLUS, an abundance of unique, nearby attractions such as Australia Zoo, Eumundi Markets, Aussie World, Sea Life and lush hinterland areas rich in arts, crafts and local culture!
Hotel Reservations: All bookings will occur directly through Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort. (We encourage you to book your room for this event ASAP as this event will occur during a peak season!)
**The Synergetic Play Therapy Institute has a promo code for 15% off your booking! Use promo code “CONF15” when booking to redeem this discount!**
PRO BOOKING TIP: Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort has recently renovated their Executive Rooms! We highly encourage you to book an Executive Room for this stay for an extra level of comfort. There are a limited number of Executive Rooms available so act fast!
All Executive Rooms feature abundant light and space, a bright and coastal feeling with clean lines and contemporary décor, and offer more space to really relax and reset!
Accessibility: A limited number of Special Access Rooms are available upon request, subject to availability. For questions, please contact H1644@accor.com
Advanced Synergetic Play Therapy Training Program Learning Objectives:
- Develop a deeper understanding of Synergetic Play Therapy theory and its tenets
- Analyze various role-play scenarios to gain more insight into handling complex child behaviors and emotions
- Recognize more ways to support parents/caregivers during the therapy process
- Analyze the use of the Synergetic Play Therapy tenets to support children, parents, groups/families, and teens/adults
- Practice becoming a client’s external regulator in various scenarios
- Develop an understanding of how to work with and shift the templates the clients are bringing into therapy
- Discuss the difference between Synergetic Play Therapy and Synergetic Psychotherapy™
- Examine the process of helping clients attach to self in various scenarios
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 also 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.
Cost: $302.50 USD/month for 4 months (Cost includes arrival coffee/tea, morning tea service, and lunch each day!)
Presenter: Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S*
Registration Deadline: March 13, 2026, 12:00pm Mountain Time (Denver)
Refund Policy: A full refund of the program fee, minus a $150 USD non-refundable administrative/processing fee, will be provided if the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute is notified by February 9, 2026, 60 days prior to the program start date. No refunds will be issued after this date, however, participants may transfer their payment to another program offered by the Institute or transfer their registration to a different year. Requests for transfers must be made at least 60 days before the start of the originally registered program.
In the case of an emergency situation that prevents participation in the program, please contact the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute directly to discuss your circumstances. Emergency considerations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis at the Institute’s discretion.
Interested in Scholarship opportunities? Partial and full scholarships are offered through the Synergetic Play Therapy Foundation! For application details please visit the SPT Foundation Scholarship page.
