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Developing Interoception: The Pre-Req for Co-Regulation & Self-Regulation in the Playroom

Many play therapists focus on helping children learn regulation skills—but what if the child can’t recognize the internal cues that tell them when they need those skills in the first place Interoception, often referred to as the body’s “eighth sense,” is our ability to notice and make sense of what’s happening inside our bodies. It helps us recognize hunger, thirst, fatigue, the need to use the bathroom, rising emotions, and the early signs of stress or activation. Without a well-developed interoceptive sense, children may struggle to recognize when they need support, making self-regulation and co-regulation much more difficult.

2 CE Credit Hours, NBCC Content Areas: Counseling Theory/Practice; Wellness and Prevention CE Credit Hours

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Developing Interoception: The Pre-Req for Co-Regulation & Self-Regulation in the Playroom

Developing Interoception: The Pre-Req for Co-Regulation & Self-Regulation in the Playroom

In this engaging 2-hour course, Lisa Dion explores why strengthening interoception is a foundational step in supporting regulation, emotional development, and trauma integration. Drawing from neuroscience, Synergetic Play Therapy, and insights from occupational therapy, you’ll discover playful, practical ways to help children develop greater awareness of their internal experiences while also deepening your own interoceptive awareness as a therapist.

Through experiential activities, you’ll explore how play can strengthen this essential sensory system and why your own ability to notice and respond to your internal experience is just as important as the child’s. As interoception develops, children become better able to recognize their body’s signals, access regulation strategies more effectively, and engage in deeper experiences of co-regulation and healing.

Rather than asking, “How do I help this child regulate?” this course invites a different question: “Can this child feel what their body is trying to tell them?” Because regulation actually begins with body awareness.

 

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 2-hour home study course designed to help play therapists learn what the interoceptive sense is and how to use play to develop interoception in their child clients!

 

Home Study Course
  • Explore at least 4 ways to develop the interoceptive sense in the therapist and in the child client
  • Discuss the importance of the therapist strengthening their own interoceptive sense and the implications in the playroom for trauma integration
  • Examine the role interoception plays in the development of the ability to regulate and co-regulate

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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