Digital Play Therapy: Foundations, Fundamentals, and Fun

Jessica Stone, Ph.D., RPT-S

This presentation focuses on the responsible integration of digital tools in play therapy, the importance of speaking the client's language, honoring the client's culture, and the incorporation of the therapist 4Cs: Competence, Comfort, Culture, and Capability during the COVID pandemic and beyond.  The first portion will focus on the fundamentals and explore the questions "how is it acceptable and therapeutic to use digital tools in play therapy?" and "how do I incorporate these tools into practice?". The second portion will focus on the practical and experiential components such as "how do I know what apps/games/programs to use?" and "how do I even play any of these?" and "how on earth do I speak about this with others (parents, collateral contacts, etc.)?"

The inclusion of these digital tools is to be seen as an "and": we can use our traditional items AND include digital tools in person and through telehealth. Whether the participant is a "technoskeptic" or a "technoneccisist", this course will guide the participant through the fundamental tenets of the modality of Digital Play Therapy (DPT). Grounded in Prescriptive Play Therapy and the Therapeutic Powers of Play, a structure for the appropriate use and integration of digital tools will be discussed. Inclusion and accessibility are critical aspects of DPT and the well-rounded therapist will benefit from understanding this important topic in more depth. There is therapeutic value in the discussion of your client’s interests, in the knowledge of such interests, entering their world and culture, and the inclusion of digital tools in play therapy. Console, web-based, and app based interventions will be discussed and included in the experiential exercises – including UnoFreak, Animal Crossing®, Roblox®, and the Virtual Sandtray©®!

Digital play therapy is not about jumping on some trendy bandwagon; it is about appropriately incorporating cultural shifts and having a foundation for such inclusion. There is room for many different grounded modalities and approaches under the play therapy umbrella and this presentation invites everyone in to find out more for telehealth and beyond.

Learning Objectives

  • Identify at least one Therapeutic Power of Play’s core agent of change which can be activated by DPT
  • Describe the therapeutic properties of at least one iPad, Nintendo Switch, OR computer online program in play therapy.
  • Identify at least 2 types of clientele who would potentially benefit from the use of digital play therapy.
  • Describe how the Therapeutic Powers of Play graphic can be used to write play therapy clinical notes.
  • Describe how DPT can be used in play therapy telehealth and beyond.

Target audience:  psychologists, social workers, mental health providers

Agenda

February 5, 2020 (EST)

09:45 – 10:00 Introductions and needs assessment.
10:00 – 11:30 Intro, fundamentals, foundation
11:30 - 11:45 BREAK
11:45 - 01:00 Tools, options
01:00 - 02:00 LUNCH
02:00 - 03:30 Experientials
03:30 - 03:45 BREAK
03:45 - 06:00 Caregivers, collaterals, notes, and Q & A

Bio : Jessica Stone, Ph.D., RPT-S, is a licensed psychologist working in a private practice setting in Colorado. She is an international speaker, sought after clinical supervisor, and renowned play therapist.  She is the co-creator of The Virtual Sandtray®©*, a best-selling author, and developer of Digital Play Therapy*. Dr. Stone has been featured for her work throughout the virtual world as an innovator, ambassador of play, and stalwart advocate for the use of digital technology in the field of psychology. Dr. Stone has numerous publications to date including Integrating Technology into Modern Therapies, Game Play, Play Therapy Theory and Perspectives, and Digital Play Therapy in addition to numerous chapters in a variety of books.  She has served as the president of the California Association for Play Therapy branch, the Leadership Academy Chair, on the Association for Play Therapy Nominations committee, is a member of the AutPlay Advisory Board, and serves as an affiliate of the East Carolina University College of Education Neurocognition Science Laboratory.

* Jessica Stone is financially connected to books authored by her and the Virtual Sandtray App®© .

General Course Information

This course is limited to 20 participants and is designed to facilitate experiential work, group discussion, and processing of clinical material.  Participants will have ample opportunity to discuss their specific needs and clinical questions.  Participant feedback will be sought out throughout the day.

Clinical case discussions will adhere to HIPPA regulations regarding client confidentiality.

Target audience is Mental Health Professionals: Social Workers, Psychologists, Licensed Professional Counselors and Licensed marriage and Family Therapists.

The program is Beginning Level

This event is sponsored by Starbright Training Institute.  Starbright Training Institute is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to play therapy (APT Provider No. 96-029).

Continuing Education Credit is pending through Commonwealth Educational Seminars for the following professions:

It is the participant's responsibility to check with their individual state boards to verify CE requirements for their state.

Psychologists:

Commonwealth Educational Seminars is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Commonwealth Educational Seminars maintains responsibility for these programs and their content.

Licensed Professional Counselors/Licensed Mental Health Counselors:

Commonwealth Educational Seminars (CES) is entitled to award continuing education credit for Licensed Professional Counselors/Licensed Mental Health Counselors. Please visit CES CE CREDIT to see all states that are covered for LPCs/LMHCs. CES maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Social Workers:

Commonwealth Educational Seminars (CES) is entitled to award continuing education credit for Social Workers. Please visit CES CE CREDIT to see all states that are covered for Social Workers. CES maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

If applicable: Social Workers – New York State

Commonwealth Educational Seminars is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers. #SW-0444.

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists:

Commonwealth Educational Seminars (CES) is entitled to award continuing education credit for Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists. Please visit CES CE CREDIT to see all states that are covered for LMFTs. CES maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

For information about continuing education credit, fees, and deadlines for cancellations/refunds, please see https://starbrighttraininginstitute.com/. It is the participant's responsibility to check with their individual state boards to verify CE requirements for their state.

Myriam Goldin, LCSW; RPT-S, is Director of Starbright Training Institute.

Phone:  703-679-7054.

Email: starbright.inst@outlook.com

Web Page: starbrighttraininginstitute.com

Grievance Policy

Commonwealth Educational Seminars (CES) seeks to ensure equitable treatment of every person and to make every attempt to resolve grievances in a fair manner. Please submit a written grievance to:

Myriam Goldin, LCSW; RPT-S, Director of Starbright Training Institute.

Phone:  703-980-2886.

Email: starbright.inst@outlook.com  

Web Page: starbrighttraininginstitute.com

Grievances would receive, to the best of our ability, corrective action in order to prevent further problems.

Accommodations for the Differently Abled

Starbright Training Institute’s training facilities are handicap accessible. Individuals needing special accommodations please contact the Director of Starbright Training Institute. See contact information above.

Due to COVID-19 health concerns, this one-time online event has been approved by APT for (18 hrs) CONTACT CE Hours. 

 Course Instructor Contact Information

Name: Jessica Stone, Ph. D. RPT-S

Email: jstonephd@yahoo.com