Description:

Join us in this workshop to learn creative play-based interventions to help children of various ages work through their grief process in play therapy. Although, grief and loss are a normal part of a child’s development; it may negatively impact a child’s mental and physical wellness if left untreated. Learn how to work with children in play therapy (or play therapy clients) who have experienced loss by understanding the grief process from the perspective of developmental stages, and polyvagal theory(safety). This play therapy workshop will help you develop the ability to be with the child in their grief process, and find ways to help support the children who “don’t want to talk about it.” Learn psychoeducation information and common misconceptions about grief to help caregivers and teachers support children with difficulty in the classroom. Experiential play therapy activities will be a part of this training.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand grief and loss in play therapy through developmental stages and the lens of the polyvagal theory.
• Learn the importance of helping children in play therapy (or play therapy clients) grieve by implementing regulation and connection.
• Demonstrate creative play therapy interventions in helping children of different ages grieve.