Children rarely tell the story of trauma with words alone. Instead, they communicate through play—returning to experiences, relationships, sensations, and emotions in ways that help them gradually make sense of what has happened. Learning to recognize these patterns can help therapists more fully attune to the child’s healing process and respond in ways that support integration rather than overwhelm.
In this 1-hour home study course, guest teacher Paris Goodyear-Brown introduces the three primary posttraumatic play pathways within the TraumaPlay™ model. You’ll explore how children use these pathways to engage in play-based gradual exposure, organize their internal experiences, and create greater coherence in their trauma narratives. As you learn to recognize these moment-to-moment shifts in the playroom, you’ll also discover how your therapeutic use of self can adapt to meet the child’s changing needs.
This course also offers a refreshing perspective on one of play therapy’s most common questions: Should I be directive or non-directive? Through the TraumaPlay™ framework, you’ll explore a flexible “yes, and” approach that honors the child’s lead while thoughtfully integrating directive interventions when they support the therapeutic process.
By deepening your understanding of posttraumatic play, you’ll become better equipped to recognize the pathways children naturally use to process difficult experiences and to respond in ways that foster safety, integration, and healing.
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.
