What in the Play Therapy is Happening!?

In Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), children rarely explain their experiences through spoken words; instead, their internal worlds emerge symbolically through repeated play patterns, characters, conflicts, and storylines. These recurring patterns, known as play therapy themes, reflect how children process experiences related to safety, power, control, nurturing, connection, fear, mastery, and healing.

This 3-hour training is designed for mental health professionals seeking to deepen their understanding of play therapy concepts and application. Participants will learn how to identify and track play therapy themes across sessions, distinguish recurring play therapy themes from moment-to-moment play behaviors, and utilize these themes to enhance play therapy case conceptualization while remaining consistent with child-centered play therapy principles.

Through clinical case examples, structured discussion, and practical application, participants will strengthen their ability to observe symbolic meaning within play therapy, track client progress, and communicate the child’s play therapy process clearly to caregivers and multidisciplinary team members.