Trauma Focused Integrated Play Therapy
Myriam Goldin
Workshop Description
The goal of this workshop is to provide participants with a working knowledge of an integrated model well-anchored in trauma theory and informed by current scientific knowledge as well as research. Trauma-Focused Integrated Play Therapy is relationship-based and utilizes principles of child-centered play therapy in order to 1) allow children to self-direct; 2) give children an experience of control and mastery; and 3) permit children to access natural healing mechanisms such as post-trauma play. By giving children opportunities to work in a permissive setting, clinicians observe and document how children utilize gradual exposure, gain an understanding of traumatic experiences, discharge affect, and begin to manage experiences that can feel overwhelming or frightening. This trauma-anchored model integrates directive strategies as needed, deepens metaphor work by amplifying the child’s ability to explore the material they externalize, and provides children with a safe, predictable environment for processing interpersonal trauma. This model values children’s pacing, respects defensive strategies, and seeks to help children build alternative skills to cope with difficult thoughts, emotions, or behaviors.
Program Schedule
The schedule will consist of didactic presentations, experiential work, and processing clinical case material.
Friday, February 15, 2019
| 09:30 - 9:45 | Introductions and needs assessment: Participant’s “wish list” |
| 09:45 - 10:45 | Brief Experiential Exercise and Discussion of Whole-Brain Activities |
| 10:45 - 11:00 | BREAK |
| 11:00 - 12:30 | Didactic presentation of Trauma theory, the relevance of phenomenological experiences, and basic principles that anchor TFIPT |
| 12:30 - 1:45 | LUNCH |
| 01:45 - 3:15 | Assessment Strategies and Utilizing Play-Based Activities to Understand Children’s Unique Functioning |
| 03:15 - 3:30 | BREAK |
| 03:30 - 5:00 | Case Discussions and Setting the Context for Therapy |
Saturday, February 16, 2019
| 09:00 – 10:15 | Discussion of child-centered play therapy goals and principles, an integrated model using directive and nondirective strategies and defining the three-phase model of treatment in TFIPT Phase One Goals and Interventions |
| 10:15 - 10:30 | BREAK |
| 10:30 - 12:00 | Phase two treatment: Addressing traumatic memories and integrating directive strategies with avoidant children: The use of Post-Traumatic Play |
| 12:00 - 01:15 | LUNCH |
| 01:15 - 02:45 | Phase two treatment: Continues |
| 02:45 - 3:00 | BREAK |
| 03:00 - 4:30 | Phase three treatment: Relationship building, prevention work, and working with children in their family context Termination Planning & Closure Exercise |
Course Objectives
By the end of the course participants will be able to:
- Identify at least two factors in trauma theory
- Discuss a rationale for utilizing child-centered play therapy
- List two play therapy ways in which children may feel comfortable showing their feelings
- Explain two play-based assessment strategies that might facilitate children’s self-disclosure
- List the three phases of treatment with traumatized children
- List two primary activities employed in Phase One of treatment
- Describe two playful directive strategies to help children address traumatic material
- Identify three characteristics of post-trauma play
- List two interventions that might help “move” post-trauma play that has become “stuck”
- Apply two techniques that might facilitate termination of therapy
General Course Information
This course is limited to 10-15 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 HIPAA regulations regarding client confidentiality.
This event is co-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).