October 2023 Online Intro to Synergetic Play Therapy® (SPT Credential Renewal/Recertification)

What You’ll Review: Special topics such as tracking the play, attachment, facilitating sand, art, trauma, and aggressive play are covered from the perspective of nervous system regulation, attunement, mindfulness, and authenticity. Participants will also learn how to track their client’s changes for caregivers, teachers, agencies, and themselves. And, we’ve added two additional video lessons – Synergetic Play Therapy® and Cultural Humility & 4 Threats and the Set Up Through a Cultural Lens!

Mandatory Book: Dig out your copy of Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach for Integrating Intensity by Lisa Dion. The book is also now available in Audio format and in both Spanish and Japanese translations!

Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy® Course Objectives by Class:

Class 1 / Webinar 1 – Welcome and Understanding the Projective Process

• Describe the basics of Synergetic Play Therapy® including the tenets, the history, and the main play therapy influences
• Explain how children use the projective process in play therapy to set the toys and the therapist up to feel how they feel
• Assess and explain the significance of why authenticity is so important in the playroom
• Describe how a Synergetic Play Therapist accesses (his/her/their) authentic self and deepens the child’s therapeutic process in play therapy

Class 2 – Exploring the Nervous System in the Playroom

• Explain the link between nervous system states and the symptoms that show up in the playroom
• Describe the importance of regulation in play therapy sessions
• Demonstrate how the therapist can become the external regulator so that the child can begin to learn how to regulate in play therapy
• Explain what the concept “rocking the baby” means in Synergetic Play Therapy®

Video Lesson – Synergetic Play Therapy® and Cultural Humility 

• Identify the importance of differences in how a child approaches play therapy depending on an individual’s culture
• Explain what it means for play therapists to have “done the work” to become curious with their clients in play therapy using a cultural approach
• Understand the term “microaggressions’ and how to apply Synergetic Play Therapy® concepts in the play therapy process

Video Lesson – 4 Threats and the Set Up Through a Cultural Lens 

• Explain why culture is important when considering the 4 Threats in play therapy
• Understand how culture impacts the Set Up and Offering in play therapy
• Demonstrate ways that as a therapist culture can be considered in the play therapy process

Class 3 / Webinar 2 – Regulation: What It Is and What It Isn’t

• Explain what regulation is and what it isn’t according to Synergetic Play Therapy®
• Discuss what it means to “overcome a challenge” in the play therapy process
• Describe what it means to become the external regulator in a session to help a child integrate their challenges in play therapy
• Explain why you, the therapist, are the most important toy in the playroom

Class 4 – Working with Caregivers

• Discuss how to involve caregivers in Synergetic Play Therapy® sessions
• Describe what it means to become the caregiver’s external regulator
• Discuss the importance of setting goals and speaking in terms of what is important to the caregiver in play therapy

Live webinar with Lisa –  Exclusive webinar for students renewing their Certified Synergetic Play Therapist or Certified Synergetic Play Provider credential only.  

• Bring your questions and have direct conversation with Lisa about what you are learning as she clarifies and continues to deepen your understanding.

Class 5 – Understanding Attachment & the Self Object in Synergetic Play Therapy®

• Discuss Synergetic Play Therapy®’s definition and perspective on attachment
• Explain and demonstrate how to use the self-object as a way to support the client attaching to self in play therapy sessions
• Describe the link between a child’s attachment styles and their nervous system states in play therapy

Class 6 / Webinar 3 – Sand, Art, & Aggression in Synergetic Play Therapy®

• Explain how to use regulation as a way to help integrate aggressive energy during play therapy sessions
• Describe how to facilitate the use of sand from a Synergetic Play Therapy® perspective in the playroom
• Explain how to facilitate the use of art from a Synergetic Play Therapy® perspective in the playroom
• Explain the concept of flooding in play therapy for both the therapist and the child and list ways to create a neuroception of safety

Credits: 20 Non-Contact CE credits* (Suggested APT Categories: “Play Therapy Skills & Methods” and “Play Therapy Cultural and Social Diversity Topics”). This course meets the full requirement for renewal of the Certified Synergetic Play Therapist or Certified Synergetic Play Provider credential!