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*

3 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*

Introduction to & History of Play Therapy

Presented by

Johanna Simmons, M.A., RCC, BCRPT, Certified Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor, Kaela Blahey, M.A., RCC., and Helen Ritchie, M.Ed., RCC, BCRPT, Certified Synergetic Play Therapy Supervisor

Workshop Description:

This introduction to and history of play therapy is for therapists or counselling students who would like to begin working with children using a play therapy approach or are curious about this approach.

Learning Objectives:

In this workshop you will learn:

• A brief history of play therapy
• About the value of play therapy
• The theory behind play therapy
• Based on neurobiology, why play therapy is effective
• About child development from a neurobiological perspective
• How play therapy can be used in school settings
• About types of play children engage in
• How to use basic skills of play therapy and interventions
• The different approaches to play therapy
• About special considerations for schools and how to make this model work in a school setting
• Ideas on how to set up a play therapy space
• About confidentiality and involving parents in the process

Who May Benefit from this Workshop:

Anyone who is interested in learning about the basics of play therapy: Students, child therapists, family therapists, psychologists, social workers, school counsellors, and other mental health professionals working with children, adolescents and families will benefit from this training. No prior play therapy knowledge is necessary.

About the Presenters:

Kaela Blahey is a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) who has experience providing clinical counselling for a broad range of mental health challenges facing children, youth, and parents. Kaela is passionate about advocating for the well-being of children and has devoted her career to a specialization in clinical counselling with children, youth, and adults who have experienced sexualized violence, emotional and physical abuse, neglect, and children with sexual behaviour problems. Kaela has extensive play therapy experience and training, has taught master’s level classes, and has experience working within, and an understanding of, the criminal justice system. Kaela has received advanced-level training in both EMDR and Somatic Experiencing. To learn more about Kaela or to connect with her, visit https://www.illumecounselling.com/

Helen Ritchie is a Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC), a BC Registered Play Therapy Supervisor (BCRPT-S), and a Certified Synergetic Play Therapy™ Supervisor. Helen has had extensive training in Play and Sand play Therapy, Trauma-informed therapy (EMDR), Family Systems theory, The Satir Model, and Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy. Helen has had many years of work experience as an elementary school counsellor, play therapist, and counsellor and is a Supervisor of Synergetic Play Therapy, an exciting approach that combines the latest research in neuroscience, attachment, and attunement with therapeutic work. Helen also supervises students and colleagues. To learn more about Helen or to connect with her, visit https://counsellingbc.com/listings/hritchie.htm

Johanna Simmons is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, a BC Registered Play Therapy Supervisor, and a Synergetic Play Therapy supervisor and consultant. Additionally, Johanna is an adjunct faculty at Adler University where she teaches the child development and counselling course. Johanna’s private practice has moved to an online practice where she works with parents, empowering them to best support their children. To learn more about Johanna or to connect with her, visit https://simmonscounselling.ca/