Digital Play Therapy(TM): Beyond the Basics
July 5, 2025 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time 7:00 AM - 2:00 PM Pacific Time
Date: July 5, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Eastern Time
7:00 AM - 2:00 PM Pacific Time
Description:
This comprehensive Digital Play Therapy (TM) training is designed for play therapists seeking to deepen their understanding of integrating digital tools into therapeutic play sessions. As digital technology becomes more central to children's lives, it is vital for play therapists to adapt their approaches with today's digital-native generation.
In this 6-hour training, participants will explore the neurological underpinnings of digital play therapy, learn practical strategies for incorporating technologies into their practice, common challenges such as hesitations regarding digital play and limited access to technologies, as well as ethical considerations, including the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into Digital Play Therapy. By the end of the course, participants will have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to integrate digital play and AI tools into their play therapy practices.
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to define Digital Play Therapy (TM) and explain its application within the framework of traditional play therapy.
- Participants will be able to identify and describe various hardware (e.g., computers, mobile devices, virtual reality systems) and software tools used in play therapy practice.
- Participants will be able to demonstrate practical techniques for incorporating digital tools into play therapy sessions to activate the Therapeutic Powers of Play.
- Participants will be able to identify the neurological basis for integrating digital tools in therapeutic settings.
- Participants will be able to develop strategies for engaging parents and guardians who are hesitant about digital play therapy and address their concerns effectively.
- Participants will be able to explain how the Therapeutic Powers of Play are harnessed and enhanced through digital play therapy, supporting emotional healing, communication, and cognitive development.
Your Instructor
Jessica Stone, Ph.D., RPT-S, is a licensed psychologist working in a private practice setting in Colorado. She has been a practitioner, professor, presenter, mentor, and author for more than 25 years. Dr. Stone’s interest in therapeutic digital tools, specifically using virtual reality, tablets, and consoles, has culminated in clinical mental health use and research for mental health, medical, and crisis settings. She is the co-creator of the Virtual Sandtray App for iPad (VSA) and the Virtual Sandtray for Virtual Reality (VSA-VR). 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
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