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July 2026 Level 1 In-Person Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy® Program – Boulder, Colorado (Payment Plan)

Registration is Full! Click Here to Join the Waitlist You asked and we answered! For those of you who have wanted to enroll in our signature Level 1 Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy program, but are seeking an in-person experience, this program is for you!

July 2026 Level 1 In-Person Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy® Program – Boulder, Colorado (Payment Plan)

Registration is Full!

Click Here to Join the Waitlist

You asked and we answered! For those of you who have wanted to enroll in our signature Level 1 Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy program, but are seeking an in-person experience, this program is for you!

Have you been searching for ways to create a deeper impact for your clients? Or perhaps you are wanting to improve or learn more about…

Becoming an external regulator to support children with integration and repatterning the activation of their nervous system.
Supporting healing at deeper levels through right brain to right brain attuned communication
Teaching children interoceptive (body) awareness (…the key ingredient for self-regulation and co-regulation)
Creating a neuroception of safety for a child when emotional flooding happens
Setting boundaries with the brain in mind to not minimize, shame or shut down the child’s play, but keep them engaged in their therapy process
Building collaborative relationships with caregivers to support their child’s therapeutic process
Developing goals, tracking a child’s therapeutic process, and translating what’s happening during the child’s therapy session to their caregiver(s) and others in the world
Helping children develop a secure attachment to themselves (…a foundation of resilience)
Applying SPT concepts from a cultural lens for a more inclusive and culturally sensitive clinical orientation where a client’s unique experiences and needs are honored
How to feel a little more like YOU in the therapy process (…because we know inauthenticity is the fastest way to burnout and compassion fatigue)
And so much more!

“SPT is the missing piece in play therapy. I gained an understanding of who I am in the playroom – a humanness that wasn’t there before.” -Frances Donohue

Join the growing number of mental health professionals, those in related roles (Child Life Specialists, School Counselors, Occupational Therapists, Coaches, etc.), and parents/caregivers who are learning SPT!

Check out what past students had to say about their experiences here.

Keep scrolling to learn about program dates, cost, learning objectives, scholarship opportunities, CE credit hours, and more.

Presenter

Judith Norman

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.”

“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!”

“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!”

Cost

Registration Closed

About

Program Prerequisites

Must have completed or be actively enrolled in a graduate level counseling/mental health program (or equivalent within your country).
Must have previously worked or currently be working with children.

Program Details

This program includes 3 days, 18 hours, of in-person training with Synergetic Play Therapy Teachers Judith Norman and Mili Shoemaker, followed by 6, 1-hour group consultations over the course of 4 months with a Synergetic Play Therapy Consultant, 2 pre-recorded one-hour video lessons on the topic of cultural humility, a BONUS video lesson on Synergetic Play Therapy and Teletherapy to further your learning, and a Book Review of the required book, Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity.
*Please note that consultation is a mandatory part of the program to help you integrate what you are learning. These consultation sessions will be 60 minutes in length and will be led by a Synergetic Play Therapy Consultant. Consultation is provided to accommodate all time zones. Students will receive an email from the Institute as we approach the start of the program with a link to a Group Consultation Assignment Form, providing a selection of consultation group times to choose from. Group consultation assignments will be granted on a first come first serve basis.
If you have any questions about program requirements please contact the Institute.

Program Dates

What You'll Learn

Throughout this comprehensive program, you’ll delve into topics including: the neuroscience behind what’s happening in the playroom; how to repattern the activation within your client’s nervous system; what it means to become an external regulator; how to work with aggression and create a neuroception of safety; how to more effectively work with caregivers/parents; a deeper understanding of attachment theory and ways to help children develop a secure attachment to themselves (a foundation for resilience); ways to honor a client’s culture in the play therapy process; offering sand and art from the perspectives of nervous system regulation, attunement, attachment, mindfulness, and authenticity; the importance of developing a child’s interoceptive awareness (a crucial skill for regulation); and so much more!

Required Book

Please purchase this required book, Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach for Integrating Intensity by Lisa Dion, before your training. Lisa will be using it as a reference to provide supplemental readings.
To purchase, go to: https://wwnorton.com/books/9780393713190 and use coupon code LDION21 for 20% off! (This only applies to purchases made in the U.S.)
The book is also available in Audio format and three translations: Spanish, Japanese, and Korean!

Registration Deadline

July 3, 2026, 12pm Mountain Time (Denver)

Refund Policy

:
A full refund of the program fee, minus a $150 USD administrative fee, will be provided if the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute is notified within 30 calendar days of registration/enrollment in the program.
No refunds will be issued after 30 calendar days from the date of registration/enrollment in the program or after 4 weeks before the start of the program, whichever comes first. 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 30 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.

Scholarship Opportunities

July 2026 Level 1 In-Person Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy® Program – Boulder, Colorado (Payment Plan)

July 2026 Level 1 In-Person Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy® Program – Boulder, Colorado (Payment Plan)