• 2025-2026 Synergetic Play Therapy® Certification Online Program (Level 2)

    2025-2026 Synergetic Play Therapy® Certification Program

    Limited number of spots left! Registration for 2026-2027 opens September 1st.

    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!

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    January 2024 Online Intro to SPT – Payment Plan (Erin Bennetts)

    JOIN US FOR OUR SIGNATURE PROGRAM AND GROW AS A PROFESSIONAL!

    Registration deadline is January 22nd, 2024, 12pm Mountain Time, Denver

    CLICK HERE FOR MORE PROGRAM DETAILS!!

    Have you been searching for ways to create a deeper impact for your clients? Or perhaps you are:
    • Looking for game-changing concepts, ideas, and techniques to repattern a child's nervous system and become a more effective external regulator in the playroom?
    • Wanting to experience aggressive play, sand, and art from the perspectives of nervous system regulation, attunement, attachment, mindfulness and authenticity?
    • Feeling burned out and want to find ways to come back to yourself or feel "green" again, like a new therapist full of curiosity and liveliness?
    • Curious how to create a neuroception of safety for both the child and the caregiver to experience deeper integration?
    • Wanting to learn a solid play therapy theory that combines the powers of play with interpersonal neurobiology?
    • Or just wanting to feel a little more like YOU in the play therapy process?
    Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy® is a 32-hour program 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 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 learning 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! 

    Check out what past students had to say about their experiences in the course!

    "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

    *For program details and objectives, see below.

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  • Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy® October 2021 Monthly Payment – (9 months)

    "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 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.
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    Online Introduction To Synergetic Play Therapy (October 2019 – March 2020) Monthly Payments

    The Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy launches you on a personal journey towards discovering what showing up in the playroom truly means. It explores what is happening in the play therapy process, how change occurs, and ultimately what it takes to help children heal at profound levels. It invites you to be you! Curious what this class is truly about? Get all the details here. To learn what others have to say, check out our testimonials. Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy 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 required
    • A basic understanding of play therapy and play therapy skills is required
    This six-month course includes three, one-hour LIVE webinars with Lisa Dion, six 2.5-hour recorded videos, and monthly consultations** with a Synergetic Play Therapy™ Supervisor/Consultant to help you integrate what you are learning. It is designed for masters-level therapists and clinicians (or equivalent) and provides the chance to learn from anywhere. Connect without the commute! Special topics such as facilitating sand, art, trauma, and aggressive play are covered from the perspective of nervous system regulation, attunement, attachment, mindfulness, and authenticity. Participants will also learn how to track their client’s changes for parents, teachers, agencies, and themselves. **Do you want consultation catered to your needs? For the first time ever, we are offering the option to add consultations and customize your experience to fit your unique situation. You may opt for 50-minute sessions instead of 30-minute consultations. You can purchase additional consultations now or you can purchase after the course has begun (if choosing the latter, please contact us and we'll provide you with a link). *For class details and objectives, please see below.  
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    Custom Payment Plan (Whitney McDaniel)

    Please use this payment plan to begin your custom installment plan of $179/month for 8 months toward your balance of $1,432 USD for the 2023-2024 Synergetic Play Therapy Certification program.   Please contact the Institute with any questions, info@synergeticplaytherapy.com.
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  • Partnering with Parents in Play Therapy (Affiliate Course)

    "The neuroscience behind this training will blow your mind!" - Keri Sawyer "I used to struggle with explaining how play therapy "works" to fathers who were more "left brain" (e.g., Lawyers, accountants, Google employees, etc). But that's not an issue for me anymore. Lisa taught me how to work with resistant fathers so they can confidently "buy" into the play therapy process!" - Susan Stutzman

    In this thought-provoking yet practical workshop, participants will explore what it really takes to partner with parents. They will have the opportunity to understand how to have a successful intake session setting the stage for a higher level of investment and commitment, how to communicate to parents so that they understand what play therapy is and how it works, how to translate what is happening in the playroom so that parents understand how the goals are being worked on, what to do with resistant parents and what to do when parents just want to drop their child off to be "fixed".

    Through new skills, insights and a framework rooted in relationship theory, therapists are guaranteed to leave feeling inspired to work with parents.

    This course helps play therapists strengthen their work with parents so they can: 

    • Get More Clients
    • Understand the Parent's Brain
    • Be More Authentic with Parents
    • Have Successful Parent Intakes
    • Level-Up Their Parent Coaching Skills
    Please see course details below. For a list of all available products, please go here.
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  • Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy® October 2021 Monthly Payments (Aisling)

    "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 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.
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  • Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor *Renewal*

    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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  • Playing Perfectly: A Play Therapist’s Guide for Working with OCD

    We know that supporting a child struggling with obsessive compulsions can be incredibly challenging. Often, the desire to move the child out of their rigidity and rituals can overshadow the deeper issues and stressors driving the behaviors.   We also know that Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a complex disorder as the reasons behind the behaviors vary widely from managing anxiety to past traumas to focused energy inside of a child driving them towards their genius and that which is most meaningful.   Due to the complexity, we can often mis-label, mis-understand, and mis-guide these children in how to work with and understand their rituals and need for perfectionism. We also can inadvertently intensify the inner struggle that is often experienced by these children as they attempt to stop, control, and even deny the urges in their bodies.    And that is why we created this course, so you know what to do when OCD shows up in your play therapy sessions! Drawing from Synergetic Play Therapy and Interpersonal Neurobiology, this course explores non-directive and directive play based interventions to help support play therapists on a path to understand the perfection in these children's perfection, while teaching the child how to do the same. Play therapists will take a deeper look at the regulatory function of the child’s behaviors that manage the internal conflicts and anxieties these children often carry.  Through discussion topics and experiential exercises, play therapists will learn how to separate the underlying drivers from the wisdom of the rituals themselves. With this knowledge, play therapists will learn how to use themselves and many forms of play to help these children access an understanding of the greatest perfection that exists, the child just as they are. “I loved Lisa's knowledge and approach - very open minded but also structured. Her personal stories of working with clients were very impactful and made it easy to attach the theories to real scenarios.” - Student testimonial See the full course description below.
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  • SPT Ongoing Consultation Groups with Lindsay Ishman (November 2022 – February 2023)

    Want ongoing support to continue to learn and grow in the application of Synergetic Play Therapy® or you would like to receive consultation from an SPT lens, we've got you covered! ... This 4 month Consultation Group is for you, if:
    • You feel alone in your practice of SPT and want to be a part of a SPT community
    • You sometimes feel “stuck” with your clients
    • You want feedback regarding your skills so that you can take them to the next level
    • You want support in learning and integrating various applications of SPT to your clinical work
    • You want to keep learning and growing as a Certified Synergetic Play Therapist
    • You want to hear other cases and learn from others
    This consultation group, facilitated by Lindsay Ishman, is designed to offer support and guidance to individuals that have graduated from the SPT Certification Course.  The purpose of this group is for individuals to bring real cases and questions regarding application of Synergetic Play Therapy in their clinical practice. *See description below for dates and times.
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  • SPT Certification 2020 – 2021: Course Payment Plan (Melanie Paul)

    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.
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    Online Introduction To Synergetic Play Therapy June 2020 Monthly Payments

    The Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy launches you on a personal journey towards discovering what showing up in the playroom truly means. It explores what is happening in the play therapy process, how change occurs, and ultimately what it takes to help children heal at profound levels. It invites you to be you! *For class details and objectives, please see below.  
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