BC Play Therapy Association holds workshops throughout the year to help advance the education of Play Therapy Practitioners and related professions. These usually revolve around a specialized speaker teaching a subject of importance to the advancement of play therapy as a therapeutic practice.

Workshop Description

Attachment Centred Play Therapy (ACPT) is an integrative, prescriptive play therapy model that blends the original and current theories of attachment with the power of play therapy to create a holistic, systemic approach to working with children and families.  This approach allows the clinician to view the child within the framework of their family system, treating the family as if they were “the client” instead of focusing on the individual child and presenting behavioural or emotional issues.  Through the lens of attachment theory, participants will gain a new understanding of how children and families interact and bond to one another in healthy vs maladaptive ways. We will be exploring how trauma, abuse, neglect, and grief impact the bonds of attachment within the family system, as well as ways to engage even the most difficult parents and invite them into the play therapy process.  You will learn how to repair, rebuild, and create safety within the parent-child relationship using the power of Attachment Centred Play Therapy.

Participants will spend two days learning new and innovative play therapy techniques including hands-on experiential activities, sand tray interventions, guided imagery, mindfulness, and expressive arts.  Each day will focus on a specific tenet of Attachment Centred Play Therapy including:

Day 1:  Introduction to Attachment Centred Play Therapy

Day 2:  Inviting the parents into the play therapy process

You are invited to bring ten of your favourite miniatures for use in the sand tray as well as an old pair of shoes for use in an expressive arts intervention.

About Clair Mellenthin

Clair Mellenthin, LCSW, RPT-S holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California. Throughout her career, she has specialized in providing play therapy to children, teens, and their families. She is currently the Director of Child & Adolescents at Wasatch Family Therapy. Ms. Mellenthin frequently presents professional play therapy and family therapy trainings on Attachment Centred Play Therapy and Trauma nationally and internationally as well as appears on local and national TV and radio as an expert on children and family issues.

Ms. Mellenthin is a sought-after supervisor, training graduate students and interns in play therapy, and an adjunct faculty member at the University of Southern California MSW program.  She is the Past-President of the Utah Association For Play Therapy and remains an active member on the Board of Directors.  She is the author of Attachment Centered Play Therapy (2019); Play Therapy: Engaging & Powerful Techniques for the Treatment of Childhood Disorders; My Many Colors of Me Workbook, and has authored several chapters.

Learning Objectives:

1. Analyze attachment theory as it applies to play therapy to provide integrated therapeutic treatment.
2. Evaluate the four key concepts of attachment theory and how these concepts apply to attachment centered play therapy.
3. Analyze various family systems through the lens of attachment theory to strengthen clinical assessment skills.
4. Conceptualize attachment patterns that impact parent-child relationships to further advance your clinical practice.
5. Implement play therapy interventions to foster engagement with parents in family play therapy in order to repair, and enhance the parent-child relationship.
6. Analyze the neuroscience of attachment and play therapy as it relates to treatment.
7. Determine the developmental stages of attachment needs and behaviours to identify maladaptive responses in children and families.
8. Compare various attachment play centred interventions for use with insecurely attached families.
9. Analyze the neuroscience of the impact of trauma on brain development.
10. Apply mindfulness skills and practice in play therapy treatment to promote self-soothing and affect regulation.
11. Explore various components of self-compassion and discuss its clinical applications and importance in working traumatized clients.
12. Ascertain the clinical implications in addressing shame and rejection in trauma treatment.

You will leave with a creative toolbox of tips, techniques, and a clear understanding of how attachment styles impact relationships.

You are invited to bring ten of your favourite miniatures for use in the sand tray as well as an old pair of shoes for use in an expressive arts intervention.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

Play therapists, family therapists, psychologists, social workers, school counsellors, and other mental health professionals working with children, adolescents and families will benefit from this training. A basic understanding of play therapy would be be beneficial.

Please note that this workshop will be recorded. The BCPTA is committed to protecting your privacy and will address any concerns you may have about this.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

1. To cancel your registration, please send us a cancellation notice via email at [email protected] no later than 2 weeks before the start of an event for a full refund less a $25.00 cancellation fee. No refund is issued if you cancel your registration within 2 weeks of the event.
2. Please note that all payments received and/or processed on workshop day will be processed at manual registration rates.
3. If you have any questions about the workshop, please contact us at info@bcplaytherapy.ca.