BCPTA's eLearning Library has wonderful workshops, enriching learning opportunities, and Non-Contact Continuing Education hours (CEs/CEUs) you can do on a schedule that works best for you. BCPTA will be donating 10% of the profits from the eLearning Library sales for BCPTA's 2023-2024 year to the Vancouver Island Counselling Centre for Immigrants and Refugees (VICCIR).  If you would like to learn more about this not-for-profit society based in British Columbia, Canada, please visit: https://www.viccir.org/. *You will have 1 year after the date of your purchase to access this workshop*

9.25 Non-Contact Continuing Education Hours (CEs/CEUs) Pre-Recorded Workshop

*You will have 1 year after the date of your purchase to access this workshop*

Attachment Centered Play Therapy

Presented by Clair Mellenthin, LCSW, RPT-S

Part 1:  Introduction to Attachment Centered Play Therapy

Part 2:  Inviting the parents into the play therapy process

Workshop Description

Attachment Centered 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 Centered 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 Centered Play Therapy.

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 centered 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.

Who May Benefit from this Workshop:

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

About the Presenter:

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. Clair Mellenthin frequently presents professional play therapy and family therapy trainings on Attachment Centered 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.

Clair 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. To find out more, to see more webinars from Clair Mellenthin, or to inquire about play therapy services, supervision or speaking engagements, please visit https://clairmellenthin.com/

Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@bcplaytherapy.ca

BCPTA is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to provide continuing education specific to play therapy. BCPTA is approved by the Canadian Association for Play Therapy to provide foundation training and continuing education training specific to child and play therapy. This training cannot be used for Foundation Play Therapy Training towards Certification with CAPT as a Certified Play Therapist (CPT).