It’s Not Sibling Rivalry
Recognizing and Responding to Sibling Abuse
Friday, October 30th, 2026
Clinician session: 9am-12pm PDT
Public session: 1pm-4pm PDT
Non-Contact (Online)
Sibling conflict is common, but play therapists may encounter sibling dynamics that involve significant differences in power, coercion, fear, freedom, harm, and safety.
This interactive three-hour play therapy training examines sibling abuse within the context of domestic and family violence and explores how these dynamics may present in the play therapy setting.
Schedule
9am-12pm PDT | Clinician Session
This session is reserved for licensed clinicians and students in mental health programs.
What's different about the clinician session?
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Opportunities for anonymized case discussion
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Registrants will receive access to raw recording to include all Q&A
1pm-4pm PDT | Public Session
What's different about the public session?
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Open to all professions, parents, caregivers, and anyone else who cares about kids.
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Registrants will receive access to an edited version of the recording that will be used for our on-demand program.
The same material will be presented for both sessions.
Both sessions will include options for APT and NBCC CE eligibility.
If the Clinician Session fills up, we encourage you to come to the afternoon Public Session.
Course Description
Through an unfolding family case, discussion, and experiential activities, participants will learn to differentiate developmentally expected sibling conflict and aggression from patterns that may indicate abuse; recognize physical, emotional, sexual, relational, and resource-based forms of sibling harm; and consider how domestic violence may influence sibling roles, power differences, and safety.
Participants will apply a sibling-focused safety framework to play therapy assessment and clinical decision-making while considering appropriate supervision, separation, support, consultation, and referral. Particular attention will be given to the use of Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) with children affected by sibling and family violence, including how the therapeutic powers of play support communication, emotional expression, self-direction, and relationship development. Participants will also practice distinguishing observable play content and themes from clinical interpretation and disclosure when responding to possible safety concerns in play therapy.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:
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Differentiate sibling conflict, aggression, and possible abuse in play therapy cases by evaluating power, fear, freedom, coercion, harm, pattern, context, and safety.
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Identify physical, emotional, sexual, relational, and resource-based forms of sibling abuse and coercive behavior that may be relevant to play therapy assessment and treatment.
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Describe at least three ways domestic violence may affect sibling relationships, family roles, power differences, and children’s presentation in play therapy.
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Apply a sibling-focused safety framework to play therapy cases to identify when additional supervision, separation, support, consultation, or referral may be warranted.
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Explain how Child-Centered Play Therapy and the therapeutic powers of play can support children affected by sibling and family violence, including distinguishing observable play content and themes from interpretation or disclosure.
Primary Areas:
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Play Therapy Special Topics
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Play Therapy Skills and Methods
3 APT and NBCC CE credits available to mental health professionals & graduate students in a mental health program. Choose the CE track of your preference when registering.
Presented by Jennifer Sims, MA, LPCC, RPT
The Redwood Center for Children and Families, APT Approved Provider 26-820
And in partnership with Cascadia Training, NBCC ACEP No. 6475
All payments are final and non-refundable. If an unexpected emergency prevents you from participating, you may email us at trainings@theredwoodcenter.org to request an exception. If a program is canceled by The Redwood Center, participants will receive a full refund. For our complete cancellation and refund policy, click the link below.
Meet Your Trainer
About Jen
Jennifer Sims is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Registered Play Therapist™ with nearly 20 years of experience supporting children and families. Known for her engaging, experiential teaching style, she helps parents and professionals turn challenging skills into approachable, hands-on learning.
Jen has advanced training in Child-Centered Play Therapy, Filial Therapy, Gestalt Play Therapy, EMDR for children, and AutPlay. She regularly develops and presents trainings
on non-directive play therapy and related topics, and was featured at the Sixth Annual Innovative Child Therapy Symposium in 2025.