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Aggression in Play Therapy: A Synergetic Approach

Aggression is one of the most common—and often misunderstood—experiences in the playroom. Whether it shows up through sword fighting, gun play, destruction, themes of death, or intense expressions of power, many therapists find themselves wondering: What is this child communicating? How do I support the process without reinforcing the behavior? And how do I stay regulated when the intensity keeps escalating?

2 CE Credit Hours, NBCC Content Area: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Counseling Relationship CE Credit Hours

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Aggression in Play Therapy: A Synergetic Approach

Aggression in Play Therapy: A Synergetic Approach

In this 2-hour home study course, Lisa Dion explores aggression through the lens of neuroscience and Synergetic Play Therapy. Rather than viewing aggressive play as something to stop or control, you’ll learn how to understand it as a reflection of nervous system activation and an opportunity for integration, healing, and growth.

Through practical examples, you’ll discover how to work with aggressive play in ways that support regulation rather than increase dysregulation. You’ll explore the Synergetic Play Therapy concept of the Set-Up/Offering, learn how to set boundaries without shaming or shutting down the child, and gain a deeper understanding of how hyper-arousal, hypo-arousal, and perceived threat influence behavior in the playroom.

This course also shines a light on the therapist’s experience. When working with intense play, your own nervous system becomes part of the therapeutic process. You’ll explore how to recognize and work with your own activation, reduce the impact of compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma, and remain present and attuned even in highly charged moments.

At the heart of this course is a core Synergetic Play Therapy principle: the goal is not to eliminate aggression—it is to help the child’s nervous system discover new ways of organizing around it. When therapists learn to understand the nervous system beneath the behavior, moments that once felt overwhelming can become powerful opportunities for regulation, connection, and transformation.

Presenter

Lisa Dion

Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S, is an international teacher, creator of Synergetic Play Therapy, founder and President of the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute.

Why Add SPT to Your Practice?

  • “I personally took a lot out of this [program], not all of it was new, but what was new was extremely useful and impactful. What wasn’t new was an excellent reminder to go back to my roots of attachment and emotional work when working with children just like I have worked with youth and adults over the years but in a slightly different context. My entire team has felt the positive impact of this training on our work and we are very happy that we all did it at the same time. We will be able to continue to practice it together and that is very exciting.”

    Mike Smith

  • “This experience has been validating to my entire human experience, and offered a clear framework to better connect with myself, client, and world! I know this was only the tip of the iceberg into integrating these powerful concepts, and I’m so hooked, I’ve already signed up for certification to continue my journey!”

    Jessie Brockmeier

  • “It’s been over 2 years since I took the Synergetic Play Therapy [program]. One of the best choices I’ve ever made. The magnitude of deeply attuning with our clients…and ourselves…is immeasurable!”

    Jackie Flynn
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Cost

$65 USD

About

A fun, 2-hour home study course in the form of an experiential workshop, opening up new possibilities for your practice. We will explore a science-based process for working with children at the deepest, most profound levels, while showing you how to stay safe and sane. You’ll learn the art of sword fighting, gun play, bop bag play and more, while understanding what it takes to maximize growth and integration for your clients and for you as the therapist. 

 

Home Study Course
  • Setting boundaries without shaming the child
  • Nervous system states and regulation
  • The 4 threats of the brain
  • Working with Hyper-arousal in sessions
  • Working with Hypo-arousal in sessions
  • Swords fights, gun play, and more!
  • Making aggressive play therapeutic
  • Aggressive Toys
  • Compassion Fatigue and Vicarious Trauma
  • And so much more!
  • Explain the link between a child’s dysregulated states of their nervous system and their aggressive and traumatic play
  • Describe how to facilitate aggressive play in the play therapy process without increasing or promoting aggression
  • Explain the Synergetic Play Therapy concept of the Set-Up/Offering in the playroom
  • Demonstrate how to set boundaries without shaming or shutting down a client’s play

You will have access to this course for 365 days from the date of purchase. Access to this course and its content will expire at that time.

 

Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S

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 program, please contact the Institute directly.

Fees are non-refundable, but are transferable to other courses. You will not receive CE credit hours for this course should you choose to transfer your enrollment to another course. Please contact the Institute should you have any questions or concerns.

If you are needing financial assistance or would like to make a donation to support other play therapists in being able to afford play therapy training, please visit the Synergetic Play Therapy Foundation website to learn more.

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