Extended Play Based Developmental Assessment

Myriam Goldin, LCSW, RPT-S

Program Goals This workshop is designed to provide participants with a structured and manualized assessment process that uses play therapy principles and techniques as the theoretical framework. This assessment tool has been developed over the last twenty years of working with children who have histories of trauma. Characteristically, these children do not volunteer information, may not be emotionally or cognitively capable of formulating accurate perceptions and communicating those perceptions, and may feel hesitant to repeat their stories after multiple interviews or evaluations. The aim of this assessment process is to give children the time they need to become familiar with clinicians and therapy environments as well as find their own ways of processing difficult emotions at their own pace. Deeply reliant on the expressive arts, this assessment approach invites children to use play, art, and sand therapy techniques in order to externalize whatever is on their mind. Clinicians are encouraged to document thematic material in children's play, listen to, and invite metaphors, and craft comments and questions.

Program ScheduleThe schedule will consist of didactic presentations, experiential work, and processing clinical case material. 

Schedule of Day

Location: Starbright Training Institute: Fairfax, Virginia
09:00- 09:15 Introductions and needs assessment:  Participant’s “wish list”
09:15 -10:15 Brief Experiential Exercise and Discussion of Whole-Brain Activities
10:15 -10:30 Break
10:30 -12:00 Didactic presentation of rationale for extended assessments, play-based approaches, and developmental  focus when working with children and adolescents exposed to trauma
12:00 - 01:30 LUNCH
01:30 - 02:45 Understand Children’s Unique Functioning: Assessment strategies and utilization of play- based activities Assessment Strategies and Utilizing Play-Based Activities to Understand Children’s Unique Functioning
02:45 - 3:00 Break
03:00 -04:30 Group Exercise: Making meaning of  the use of symbols to convey thoughts and feelings. Clinical cases Integration of learned material. Development of recommendation guidelines and report writing. Closure Exercise

Course ObjectivesBy the end of the course participants will be able to:

  • Provide at least two reasons that support the utilization of extended play-based assessments for children and adolescents exposed to trauma
  • Discuss a rationale for utilizing child-centered play therapy
  • List two play therapy ways in which children may feel comfortable showing their feelings
  • Name at least two play-based assessment strategies that might facilitate children’s expression  of thoughts and feelings about family interactions
  • Discuss clinical observations and thematic material derived from the creation of sand world scenarios and directive and nondirective drawings/art projects
  • Name at least two domains of impairment  observed in children exposed to trauma

General Course InformationThis course is limited to 15 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 all Mental Health Professionals working with children and families

The program is: Beginning Level, Intermediate Level, Advanced Level.

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

Additional CE units, not specific to play therapy, will be provided through the Commonwealth Educational Seminars (www.commonwealtheducation.com).  There is an additional $30 fee for social work, counseling, MFT, and psychology CEs and checks are made out to Starbright Training Institute (or cash paid at training, no credit cards).

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: 703-980-2886. Email: mgoldin@gilinstitute.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, mgoldin@gilinstitute.com, 703.980.2886. 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.

Course Instructor Contact Information

Name: Myriam Goldin

Bio: https://starbrighttraininginstitute.com/about-me/

Website:  https://starbrighttraininginstitute.com/

Email:  mgoldin@gilinstitute.com

Phone: 703-980.2886

 

Starbright Training Institute

8626 Lee Highway

Suite 200

Fairfax, VA   22031