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Setting Boundaries in the Playroom with Dysregulated Children

Setting boundaries is one of the most important—and often most challenging—aspects of play therapy. When a child is highly activated, impulsive, or emotionally flooded, therapists may find themselves wondering: How do I keep everyone safe without interrupting the therapeutic process? How do I set a limit without creating shame or disconnection?

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

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Setting Boundaries in the Playroom with Dysregulated Children

Setting Boundaries in the Playroom with Dysregulated Children

In this 1.5-hour home study course, Lisa Dion explores boundary setting through the lens of Interpersonal Neurobiology and Synergetic Play Therapy. Rather than viewing boundaries as a way to stop behavior, you’ll discover how thoughtful, intentional limits can become opportunities to support regulation, strengthen connection, and deepen integration within the therapeutic relationship.

You’ll learn practical strategies for setting boundaries that protect both the child and the therapeutic process while honoring the child’s nervous system experience. The course also explores emotional flooding—for both the child and the therapist—and the important role your own window of tolerance plays in recognizing when and how to intervene.

When boundaries are offered from a regulated and connected place, they become more than limits—they become experiences of safety, relationship, and co-regulation. This course will help you approach boundary setting not as an interruption to play, but as an essential part of the healing process.

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

$49 USD

About

 A 1.5-hour home study course dedicated to supporting therapists in setting boundaries in the playroom with dysregulated children.

 

Home Study Course
  • Demonstrate at least 2 strategies for setting boundaries without shaming or shutting down a child’s play
  • Define “emotional flooding” and identify at least 2 strategies to employ when this happens in a play therapy session
  • Examine how the play therapist’s own window of tolerance influences the need to set a boundary in a play therapy session

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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