• September 2025 In-Person Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy® Program (Level 1) – Brisbane, Australia

    Learn a solid play therapy theory that combines the power of play with interpersonal neurobiology in Brisbane, Australia!

    Registration Deadline is August 29, 2025 | Space is Limited! Reserve Your Spot Today!

    Click here to experience how you can transform you and your child clients from the inside out!

    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.
  • 12-Month Payment Plan Option (Prorated Amount) $326/month for 12 months   Please contact info@synergeticplaytherapy.com with any questions.
  • 12 Months: $229.16 AUD     [aelia_currency_selector_widget title="Select your currency based on the retreat location you would like to attend and wait for the page to refresh before adding to cart." widget_type="dropdown"]   For example: If you reside in the US but want to attend the retreats in Canada you will choose the Canadian Currency, wait for the page to refresh, and then select your plan to add to your cart.
  • The Synergetic Play Therapy™ Supplemental Course is open to those who have already completed a two-day training with Lisa Dion. It is an online course that supplements the information not received during the two-day training you've previously completed. It involves the review of key points as well as new information aimed at providing you with the missing pieces of the SPT puzzle. Synergetic Play Therapy™ Supplemental Course Prerequisites:
    • Completion or enrollment in a Master's Degree (or equivalent) program in counseling, social work, or education
    • Previous experience working with children and families
    • A basic understanding of play therapy and play therapy skills
    • Attendance and completion of a recent Lisa Dion two-day training
    This course includes nine hours of recorded content and six consultations** with a Synergetic Play Therapy™ Supervisor/Consultant to help you integrate what you are learning. This course allows you to go at your own pace: you’ll receive all the videos the day you sign up and you can learn as fast or as slow as you like. You can start consultations immediately. You are encouraged to begin consultations as quickly as possible. Though this is independent study, consultations must be completed in a minimum of four months and the entire course must be completed in a maximum of six months from your sign up date. New Topics Covered Include:
    • SPT Tenets
    • Assessing Emotional Age in Play Therapy
    • Tracking Progress in Play Therapy
    • Understanding Integration in Play Therapy
    • Types of Reflection in Play Therapy
    • Working with Parents in the Playroom
    • Attachment in Play Therapy
    • Sand and Art in the Playroom
    • And Much More!
    Topics Reviewed Include:
    • The Nervous System in Play Therapy
    • The Four Threats of the Brain in Play Therapy
    • The Set-Up/The Offering in Play Therapy
    • Becoming an External Regulator in Play Therapy
    **We offer consultation that fits your needs and schedule. You may opt for 30-minute or 50-minute consultations (50-minute is the recommended option). *For class details and objectives, please see below.  
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  • 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.
    Don't miss this chance to learn actionable insights and tools to navigating the complexities of trauma, culture, and language and to more effectively meet your clients at this complex intersection!
  • Learn a solid play therapy theory that combines the power of play with interpersonal neurobiology in Brisbane, Australia!

    Registration Deadline is August 29, 2025 | Space is Limited! Reserve Your Spot Today!

    Click here to experience how you can transform you and your child clients from the inside out!

    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.
  • Get $100 USD OFF until September 3, 2025, when you use the Early Bird coupon code 2025BOT100 at checkout!

    Back by popular demand - revised, energized, and with both an in-person AND virtual option - we invite you to join Lisa Dion for The Business of Therapy, November 13th-15th, 2025, in breathtaking San Diego, California! This year’s event will be held at the luxurious Hilton San Diego Bayfront

    Hear what past The Business of Therapy participants have to say about the course in the video below!

    We are also bringing back the exclusive VIP Experience!

    (VIP EXPERIENCE IS SOLD OUT! Thank you to the first 20 to sign up!)

    First offered in 2024 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, 20 attendees on a first-come-first-serve basis will have the chance to join Lisa for 4 additional hours on the final day of the course and dive into more invaluable insights - Lisa will personally guide you through a series of exercises designed to fine-tune your plans and propel you toward success! The VIP pass also comes with special surprises along the way, focused time with Lisa, and, to top it off, a night out in San Diego together (should you wish to join)! Lisa will also be hosting a virtual "meet and greet" for VIPs only prior to the first day of the course to share details about the VIP Experience and begin to discuss your goals!
    "Attending The Business of Therapy has been nothing short of transformational for my business journey year after year! [In 2024] I joined the VIP experience, and WOW, it was a total game-changer! The extra time with Lisa provided invaluable clarity, awareness, and direction for my business path. I left feeling inspired, laser-focused, and ready to take bold, strategic action.” – Liliana Baylon
    Keep scrolling to learn more about this course and the In-Person Experience! If you already know that you would like to attend the course Virtually/Online, CLICK HERE! *Please pay special attention to the in-person or online selection made when purchasing your course. You will not have the opportunity to switch your attendance from one format to the other after the registration deadline. **If you have taken The Business of Therapy course before, please check your email your email for a link to the Returning Student product page or contact the Institute.
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  • "The Intro to SPT class is the best class I have ever taken. There is no better training for counselors! I have a deeper understanding of the process and how to help children in the playroom. It has given me a whole new perspective and changed my life both personally and professionally. Being authentic allows you to be free. There are just no words to describe it!" -Nancy Asher The Live - Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy™ is a 18-hour course that takes you on a journey to explore the neuroscience behind what is happening in the play therapy process, how to repattern a child's nervous system, and what it means to become an external regulator in the playroom. You will also learn how to effectively work with caregivers and what it means to create a neuroception of safety allowing both the child and the caregiver to have a deeper integration. And if this wasn't enough, you will come to understand the magic of aggressive play, sand and art from the perspectives of nervous system regulation, attunement, attachment, mindfulness, and authenticity. You'll learn all this while also how to avoid burnout and compassion fatigue. Come discover what showing up in the playroom truly means and explore what is happening in the play therapy process, how change occurs, and ultimately what it takes to help children heal at profound levels. And the best part is, you get to be you on the journey! This payment link is for the 6 mandatory group consultations part of this course. Consultation is a mandatory part of the course to help you integrate what you learned …If you’d like, you can meet the Consultants here. Cost: $300.00 USD - ($50.00 per session)     *For class details and objectives, see below.
  • Please use this product to begin your monthly payment plan for 6 Make-Up Individual Consultation sessions with Polly Douglass in order to meet this aspect of Synergetic Play Therapy Certification requirements. Each Make-Up Individual Consultation session costs $125 USD, for a total of $750 USD. To begin your payment plan, please make your first payment by no later than September 10, 2023. Your payment will be automatically withdrawn on the same day each month. For example, should you make your first payment on September 5th, your second payment will be due on October 5th, and so on. Failure to make all six monthly installments timely will result in interruption to your scheduled Make-Up Individual Consultation sessions and will result in incomplete program requirements. You will not be eligible for the title of Certified Synergetic Play Therapist or Certified Synergetic Play Provider without fully meeting all program requirements. Should you have any questions, please contact info@synergeticplaytherapy.com.
  • Alyssa Mullen's Personalized Payment Plan: 10-month Payment Plan, $358.00 USD/month for 10 months
  • Renewal of the Certified Synergetic Play Therapist™ credential is required every 3 years. In order to renew, students must earn at least 18 hours of CE credits specific to SPT. Excess hours may not be rolled over into the next 3 year cycle. If CE credits are not submitted, students will no longer be able to use the title Certified Synergetic Play Therapist™ until renewal occurs. This course meets the full requirement of renewing your Certified Synergetic Play Therapist™ credential.  Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy® is a 22-hour course that takes you on a journey to explore the neuroscience behind what is happening in the play therapy process, how to repattern a child's nervous system, and what it means to become an external regulator in the playroom. You will also learn how to effectively work with caregivers and what it means to create a neuroception of safety allowing both the child and the caregiver to have a deeper integration. And if this wasn't enough, you will come to understand the magic of aggressive play, sand and art from the perspectives of nervous system regulation, attunement, attachment, mindfulness, and authenticity. You'll learn all this while also how to avoid burnout and compassion fatigue. Come discover what showing up in the playroom truly means and explore what is happening in the play therapy process, how change occurs, and ultimately what it takes to help children heal at profound levels. And the best part is, you get to be you on the journey! Curious what this class is all about? Get the details here. And, check out what past students have to say Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy® Prerequisite Training:
    • Completed or enrolled in a Master’s Degree (or equivalent) program in counseling, social work, or education
    • Previous experience working with children and families (required)
    • Basic understanding of play therapy and play therapy skills (required)
    *For class details and objectives, see below.
  • Renewal of the Certified Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor™ credential is required every 6 years.  In order to renew, students must complete the CE requirements for being a Certified Synergetic Play Therapist™ plus the following CE Supervision requirements.  Excess hours may not be rolled over into the next 6 year cycle.  If CE credits are not submitted, student will no longer be able to use the title Certified Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor™ until renewal occurs. CE renewal forms are due to the Institute by May 31st OF your renewal year. Please do not submit them on a year that you are not due to renew. Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor™ CE Training Hour Options: Must complete the Becoming an SPT Supervisor 1.5 hour live class and a 1.5 hour recorded video (total of 3 hours) that begins the supervision course to refresh the tenets and goals for SPT supervision. *Offered at a discounted cost. Also offered is a one hour recording of Lisa teaching: Running a Group Supervision that provides information on how to apply SPT Supervision Theory to groups. Group dynamics and group challenges will be explored. You will also receive access to six recorded session videos that provide techniques and skills focused on helping navigate the supervisory relationship and challenges that arise in the playroom. All of the videos include valuable teaching guidance and commentary by Lisa. Then choose one of the following options:
    1. Participate in 8 months of group consultation with Lisa. 
    2. Participate in Khris Rolfe’s SPT Consultant Clinical group (Intro Consultants only) or participate in the Cert Consultant group (Certification Consultants only).
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