Welcome to Play Therapy Institute of Colorado’s E-Learning Site
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In this 1.5 hour live webinar, Lisa will share her knowledge that she has acquired offering more specific "how to" action steps to help you create your business and launch your vision. Whether it is "how to write a book, how to publish a book, how to organize content for a course, how to hire people to work for you, how to leverage volunteers when then funds aren't there, now to write a business plan to receive money from a bank or investor" or something entirely different, Lisa will share with you what she has learned along the way. For course details, see below.
You have been selected to be a part of the 2019-2020 Certified Synergetic Play Therapy Cohort! Congratulations! To secure your spot, you will put down a 600.00 USD deposit. The rest of the money will be due before August and you will be emailed a link for payment along with course information closer to the start of the first retreat. Reminder that if you pay in full, you receive 400.00 off the total price for additional savings! Refund Policy: Your deposit secures your spot in the Certification Program. Withdrawal before the program begins will result in a forfeit of the full deposit amount. This deposit is non-refundable! For more information regarding dates, scroll down below.
The Six-Day Synergetic Play Therapy® Intensive allows you to jump in and really experience the magic of Synergetic Play Therapy®! We hold these intensives regularly throughout the year, limiting this program to four people in order to permit extensive skill practice with individualized coaching and feedback. Each participant will be paired with a child client with whom they will work every day during the training under direct supervision as part of a therapeutic observation team. Dive into SPT and see if it's right for you!
Six-Day Synergetic Play Therapy® Intensive Prerequisite Training:- Participants should have completed or be enrolled in a Master’s Degree (or equivalent) program in counseling, social work, or education.
- Previous experience working with children and families is also required.
- A basic understanding of play therapy and play therapy skills is required.
***Please scroll to the bottom of this page for a complete list of the course details and objectives***
Registration closes July 30, 2025, for the 3.5 Day Learning Retreat!
Did you know that as an esteemed alumnus of the Synergetic Play Therapy Certification program, you have the opportunity to return to the online learning retreats and join new cohorts of the Certification program - eager, possibly terrified, and ready to be inspired? (Remember that?)Why Come Back?As part of the ongoing commitment to keep the teaching of Synergetic Play Therapy ever-evolving, we continue to update the Certification program content. By returning to the online learning retreats, you will:- Be reminded of the power of the SPT Tenets
- Receive some of the most up-to-date and current understanding of interpersonal neurobiology and SPT theory
- Practice your Synergetic Play Therapy skills with play, sand, and art
- Have the opportunity to do your own personal work toward growth and transformation
- "Come home" to yourself and find even more ways to be fearlessly authentic
- Inspire the new cohort of aspiring Certified SPTers and share your own genius
- AND, meet FULL SPT Credential/Recertification requirements!
2025-2026 Synergetic Play Therapy® Certification Program
Early Bird Pricing Application Deadline is April 1, 2025 Final Application Deadline is June 16, 2025
You've already seen the powerful impact of Synergetic Play Therapy through the Level 1 Introductory program—now, imagine what’s possible when you take your skills even further. The Synergetic Play Therapy Certification program is designed to help you embody the therapeutic skills that will unlock profound transformation for both you and your clients. Imagine feeling more attuned, confident, and capable in every session—able to guide your clients through breakthroughs that go beyond the surface. As one participant put it, “I already got my money’s worth in just the first day!” Are you ready to embody the next level of healing and authenticity? Start your journey now to discover how this program can transform your practice.*Keep scrolling to learn about program dates, cost, learning objectives, scholarship opportunities, CE credit hours, and more!
If you are ready to submit your application, click "Add to Cart" below to pay the $150 application fee. Once payment is confirmed, you will be sent a link to complete the online application!
"I am always excited to repeat the retreats as an alumni for three reasons. First, there is always new information to be had. Second, each time I hear the information that Lisa imparts, I hear it in a different way. Lastly, it is so wonderful to be in such a supportive environment with like-minded people. I can’t get enough!" - Johanna Simmons Ask and you shall receive! After much feedback from Certified SPTers like you, we have broadened the Synergetic Play Therapy Certification learning retreats and, now, the live webinar classes. As an esteemed alumni, you are invited to return and be a part of the upcoming 2024-2025 Synergetic Play Therapy Certification Program. Embark on a one-of-a kind experience of connection and community - mentor, master, and make new memories! Choose the option that feels most congruent for you (details below) and come be yourself over and over again! In addition to the learning retreats, you also have the option of purchasing access to all of the program's bimonthly, live webinar classes! Registration closes August 1st, 2024, for the 2024-2025 Retreat Dates! For class details and objectives, please see below.
"I am always excited to repeat the retreats as an alumni for three reasons. First, there is always new information to be had. Second, each time I hear the information that Lisa imparts, I hear it in a different way. Lastly, it is so wonderful to be in such a supportive environment with like-minded people. I can’t get enough!" -Johanna Simmons Ask and you shall receive ... After much feedback from SPTers, we have broadened the Synergetic Play Therapy™ Certification retreats and now the online classes. As an esteemed alumni, you are invited to return and be part of the upcoming program. Embark on a one-of-a kind experience of connection and community ... mentor, master, and make new memories. Choose from one of three destinations for the retreats (details below) and come be yourself over and over again! In addition to the retreats, you also have the option of purchasing the live monthly online classes. Registration closes August 1st. For class details and objectives, please see below.
This program is for you if you work IN SCHOOLS (as a school counselor, social worker or psychologist, or a school-based mental health professional) or if you COLLABORATE WITH educators or schools!
**For all program details and dates of when this program is offered, please visit the Synergetic Education Institute's website**
A Synergetic Approach to Education (formerly One Foot in Education: Exploring Education Through an SPT Lens) offered by our sister institute, the Synergetic Education Institute, is a distinct and transformative approach to learning and teaching, working at the intersection of education and mental health! Synergetic educators recognize that the collaborative efforts of educators, students, classrooms, and educational systems produce a more substantial impact than individual contributions. This approach spans the landscape of working with students and perceived challenges and barriers, considering all aspects of learners and the learning environment. It incorporates neuroscience and nervous system regulation research with empowerment practices to create positive change within the immediate environment while maintaining a broader perspective using integrated and differentiated approaches. You will delve into strategies designed for educational settings that promote trauma-informed, social-emotional support within schools. You'll learn to implement these strategies as well as understand the neuroscience behind them, empowering you to support others in deepening their knowledge and awareness. You will also learn how to...- Implement approaches based on neuroscience that support the development of self-regulation skills, including critical skills that are often missing from SEL programming.
- Support educators in understanding how to prepare brains and bodies to learn, including articulating the links between neurophysiological states and classroom behaviors
- Identify the dynamics behind complex student-adult relationships and how to shift these challenging interactions.
- Increase feelings of safety and belonging for students and adults
- Implement small shifts in daily routines that include explicitly teaching critical skills using both "top-down" and "bottom-up" approaches.
- Reframe “resistance” to meeting educators at their level of readiness.
- Embody Synergetic Play Therapy® principles and collaborate with teachers to empower them and shift their perceptions of students
Program Prerequisites: This program requires that you have taken a Level 1 Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy® program. This includes the completion of one of the following:- Online or In-Person Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy® program
- Six-Day Synergetic Play Therapy® Intensive Training (no longer offered)
- Synergetic Play Therapy® Supplemental Course (no longer offered)
During your journey to become a Certified Synergetic Play Therapist you studied nervous system regulation, authenticity and congruency, interoception, emotional age, and so much more to help you become more masterful at becoming an external regulator for a child and their caregivers. You also learned how to apply these concepts to yourself for your own growth and development in order to heal yourself and develop your capacity for self-regulation. And now it is time to take the next step towards self mastery…. Go deeper into the development of yourself - Deeper into understanding the body and your own activation patterns - Deeper into your mind - Deeper into integrating your perceptions and working on emotional charges that you have held onto or are holding onto. 💖 "A dazzling few days full of paradigm shifts, connection to self and others, and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable." - Machen Champion 💖 "My experience at the Advanced Certified SPT retreat was uncomfortable, mind-blowing, and ultimately life changing and I wouldn't have it any other way." - Rachel Hardies For course details and topics covered, see below.
During your journey to become a Certified Synergetic Play Therapist you studied nervous system regulation, authenticity and congruency, interoception, emotional age, and so much more to help you become more masterful at becoming an external regulator for a child and their caregivers. You also learned how to apply these concepts to yourself for your own growth and development in order to heal yourself and develop your capacity for self-regulation. And now it is time to take the next step towards self mastery…. Go deeper into the development of yourself - Deeper into understanding the body and your own activation patterns - Deeper into the mind - Deeper into integrating your perceptions and working on emotional charges that are in the way of being an external regulator. For course details and topics covered, see below.
SOLD OUT!
This advanced program, designed for those who have completed the Synergetic Play Therapy® Certification, is an immersive 4-day in-person experience offering an in-depth exploration of advanced Synergetic Play Therapy® concepts. You’ll learn to apply these concepts across a broad spectrum of client groups and age ranges from children, caregivers, groups/families and teens/adults. Throughout the program, you will engage in interactive learning experiences, including dynamic role-plays and live demonstrations. These activities will allow you to observe and influence real-time therapeutic scenarios, enhancing your Synergetic Play Therapy® skills and theoretical understanding. Additionally, you’ll collaborate with fellow SPTers, sharing insights and discussing complex cases to enrich your learning experience. Day 1: Children- Deepen your understanding of working with children in Synergetic Play Therapy®.
- Engage in role play scenarios to handle complex child behaviors and emotions.
- Learn to deepen the therapeutic relationship and foster greater attachment to self and healing for your young clients.
- Learn more ways to support and engage parents and caregivers.
- Gain a greater understanding of how to become the caregiver's external regulator and involve them in their child’s healing process.
- Go deeper applying your Synergetic Play Therapy® skills with groups and families.
- Watch Lisa facilitate complex family and group dynamic scenarios.
- Learn to navigate and resolve challenges within group and family therapy settings.
- Deepen your understanding of Synergetic Psychotherapy for teen and adult clients.
- Apply your Synergetic Play Therapy® skills (authenticity, mindfulness, emotional congruence, reflective dialogue, regulation, etc.) and tailor them to your teen and adult clients.
- Explore how to “SPT” your sessions with teens and adult clients, supporting them in moving from deflective awareness to reflective awareness.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) can be a part of growing up. But how can we help turn these obstacles into opportunities for growth and resilience? And apply this knowledge to the play therapy process? This webinar explores how play therapy can be used to help mitigate the effects of ACES. Learn the major categories of ACES, along with protective factors or strategies that have been shown to be helpful both in the short-term and long-term.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) can be a part of growing up. But how can we help turn these obstacles into opportunities for growth and resilience and apply this knowledge to the play therapy process? This course explores how play therapy can be used to help mitigate the effects of ACES. Learn the major categories of ACES, along with protective factors or strategies that have been shown to be helpful both in the short-term and long-term. This course is designed to enhance or increase the professional knowledge of graduate-level counselors.
Aggression and death are common parts of the play therapy process, yet many therapists don’t have a clear understanding of what to do and how to facilitate intensity. This can lead to inadvertently promoting aggression and low brain disorganization. It can also lead to the therapist feeling beat up, exhausted, and hyper-aroused, ultimately impacting their ability to stay attuned, remain present, and find inspiration in this field. Enter Synergetic Play Therapy! Through an SPT lens, and a heavy dose of neuroscience, this 2-hour course helps therapists learn how to use play in a way that supports regulation – their own and their client’s! See course details below.
This dynamic, two-hour video course delves into the intricate interplay between trauma, neurocognitive processes, and communication patterns, shedding light on the challenges therapists face when working with survivors of trauma, especially those from culturally diverse backgrounds or with language barriers. Did you know that trauma's profound impact on neurocognitive functioning can significantly influence communication dynamics within therapeutic settings? This, coupled with cultural and linguistic disparities, can pose an added challenge when trying to establish rapport and foster healing with clients, particularly among Limited English Proficient or Deaf/Hard of Hearing individuals! Join Mila Golovine, President & CEO of Masterword. and Lisa Dion, Founder & President of the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute as they navigate the intersections of cultural competency, trauma-informed therapy, and effective communication strategies. You will also get insights into enhancing the therapeutic alliance, fostering better client engagement, and ultimately improving therapeutic outcomes! Key highlights include:- Understanding how trauma affects neurocognitive processes and communication patterns.
- Exploring cultural competence in therapy and its significance in trauma recovery.
- Identifying challenges and strategies for effective communication with clients from diverse backgrounds.
- Best practices for working with Limited English Proficient or Deaf/Hard of Hearing clients.
- Practical techniques to promote therapeutic alliance and engagement.
- Ethical considerations and sensitivity when utilizing interpreters in therapy sessions.
Applications have closed! Thank you to all who applied!
Becoming a Certified Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor isn’t just about offering guidance—it’s about embodying the core tenets of Synergetic Play Therapy and creating an environment where growth and transformation can happen for both you and your supervisees. In this program, you will:- Learn to establish strong, trusting supervisory relationships using SPT principles, understanding how to assess supervisees at different stages of their development and guide their growth.
- Explore complex ethical dilemmas, including how to manage dual relationships, maintain authenticity, and apply legal and ethical considerations in the supervision process.
- Master cultural awareness and humility by applying SPT tenets through a cultural opportunity lens, supporting therapists in navigating diversity in their clinical work.
- Enhance your supervisory skills by using reflective practice to empower supervisees to explore their therapeutic work and personal development, while also reflecting on your own patterns as a supervisor.
Applications have closed! Please contact the Institute with any questions.
For full program details including program prerequisites, program cost, live webinar dates, and CE Credit Hour information, keep scrolling!
Congratulations on your Acceptance into the Becoming a Synergetic Play Therapy® Supervisor Course!
Please use this product to complete your registration for the Becoming a Synergetic Play Therapy® Supervisor Course. The deadline to register for this course is September 21, 2023, 12pm Mountain Time (Denver). Your registration will not be considered complete until payment is received. Please see below for all course details including important class dates/times, your instructor(s) information, and Cancellation policies! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact info@synergeticplaytherapy.com.
Congratulations on your Acceptance into the Becoming a Synergetic Play Therapy® Supervisor Course!
Please use this product to begin your 3-month payment plan and complete your registration for the Becoming a Synergetic Play Therapy® Supervisor Course. The deadline to register for this course is September 21, 2023, 12pm Mountain Time (Denver). Your registration will not be considered complete until payment is received. Please see below for all course details including important class dates/times, your instructor(s) information, and Cancellation policies! If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact info@synergeticplaytherapy.com.
"The experience of becoming a Synergetic Play Therapist Supervisor has been a journey in deepening my relationship and attachment to myself and therefore to those around me. I feel better resourced and skilled to support play therapists in their work and their own journeys. This course connected me to a community that I feel deeply privileged to be a part of. During a challenging time for our planet, I felt a connection to others that sustained me." -Katrina Bevelander Are you ready to become a Certified Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor? For Certified Synergetic Play Therapists who meet the prerequisites we offer a path to becoming a Certified Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor*. These courses also count towards Registered Play Therapy Supervisor requirements (please check with APT to determine full requirements). In this training, students will learn how to apply the Synergetic Play Therapy philosophy and tenets to the supervisory relationship. Through video observation, didactic learning, group discussion, and self study (this course is heavy on independent study), students will learn how to step into the role of supervisor- one of the most important and influential roles in a play therapist's journey. Hear what other Certified SPT Therapists/Supervisors had to say about the course Application Deadline September 1st, 2022! Please note: Completion of a Legal and Ethical Issues in Play Therapy Supervision course is not a prerequisite for this course. However, it must be completed before you can obtain the designation Certified Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor. You will be asked to provide documentation of completion of a Legal and Ethical issues in Play Therapy supervision course. You will also need to have two supervisees during the six months of the course and that are willing to be video-taped. *Certified Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor is a protected title held by those who have taken this training Please scroll down for class details and objectives. [aelia_currency_selector_widget title="Select your currency based on your location and wait for the page to refresh before adding to cart." widget_type="dropdown"]
Research in neuroscience and interpersonal neurobiology sheds light on the need for the play therapist to act as the external regulator supporting the child to move towards the intensity they are experiencing allowing for integration. This 3 hour video course explores this need during trauma integration for two primary reasons: 1) The child need to borrow the play therapist’s regulatory capacity as they work through their traumatic thoughts, feelings and sensations in play therapy and 2) The play therapist’s ability to regulate themselves during the intensity increases the capacity for presence and attunement with the child, while simultaneously supporting the health and longevity of their own nervous system. Without the ability of the play therapist to become the external regulator for the intensity that arises during trauma integration, both the child and the play therapist are at risk for emotional flooding and high levels of dysregulation in their nervous systems. Over time, this can significantly impact a play therapist’s longevity in the field, as well as the ability to stay attuned and present to a child in sessions. This course is a recording of a 3 hour live webinar with Trusted Provider Network. See course details below.
*This is NOT a course. Earn non-contact continuing education credit by completing a quiz based on the book. Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity offers a way to work with aggressive play that allows children to learn how integrate the intensity they are experiencing from their thoughts, emotions, and sensations while simultaneously supporting regulation in the therapist's nervous system. These will help therapists understand the neurobiological processes that lead kids to dys-regulation, and help them facilitate emotional healing in their clients. Topics Covered Include:- What Regulation Really Means
- Making Aggressive Play Therapeutic
- Authentic Expression
- Setting Boundaries
- Hyper-Aroused Play
- Observing Play
- Hypo-Aroused Play
- Working with Parents
- Developing Yourself as the External Regulator
With an understanding of aggressive play based on brain function and neuroscience, this book provides therapists with a framework to work authentically with aggressive play, while making it an integrative and therapeutic experience for the child. Through the lens of principles from Synergetic Play Therapy®, therapists are taught how to integrate the intensity experienced by both the child and the therapist during aggressive play in a way that leads towards greater healing and integration. The book explains the neurological processes that lead kids to dysregulation and provides therapists with tools to help their clients facilitate deep emotional healing, without causing their own nervous system to shut down. Chapter Topics Include:- Aggression in the Playroom and Making Aggressive Play Therapeutic
- Understanding the Nervous System
- What Regulation Really Means
- Developing Yourself as the External Regulator
- The Set-Up in Play Therapy
- Authentic Expression
- Setting Boundaries
- Working with Emotional Flooding
- Hyper-Aroused Play
- Observing Play
- Hypo-Aroused Play
- Working with Parents
Whether you're looking for how to engage the resistant child, turn Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) into opportunities for growth and resilience, use yoga to increase your ability to connect to yourself and your clients, or create a neuroception of safety in the playroom, we have you covered. Explore these topics and so many others in our one-hour courses below. Then choose 4 courses to create a bundle for only $119 and save (valued at $140 USD!) You can buy as many bundles as you would like (each as a new order)! See below for course descriptions. To view course details and objectives, click to the right of the title.