Slaying the Dragon: Making Sense of Imaginative Play in Child-Centered Play Therapy

Imaginative play is often the most visible and misunderstood aspect of Child-Centered Play Therapy. Dragons are slain, roles shift, and worlds are created, but what is happening clinically and neurobiologically in those moments? In this 3-hour workshop, participants will explore how symbolic play engages survival systems in the lower brain, supports emotional regulation, and helps children organize their experiences. We will examine common play themes such as power, mastery, protection and revenge, and discuss how imagination evolves with tweens and teens. The training will also address imaginative play across culture and how therapists’ own lenses influence interpretation. Participants will leave with greater clarity, stronger thematic tracking skills, and increased confidence entering fantasy worlds while remaining grounded in Child-Centered principles.