
The Secret Life of Structuring
Friday January 30th 2026
9am-12pm PST
1pm-4pm PST
The Secret Life of Structuring is a 3-hour live Zoom training that explores the often overlooked depth and nuance of structuring in Child-Centered Play Therapy. Grounded in CCPT theory and best practices, this class reframes structure as a relational, attuned process rather than a set of rules or scripted statements.
Participants will examine how structure communicates safety, predictability, and respect for the child’s autonomy, and how it quietly supports regulation and trust from the very beginning of the therapeutic relationship. Through clinical examples and guided discussion, the training explores how structure flexes in response to trauma, neurodiversity, culture, and context without compromising the child-led foundation of CCPT.
Common missteps such as over-structuring, inconsistency, or unintended power shifts are addressed, helping clinicians refine their language, presence, and clinical decision-making. Participants will leave with greater clarity, confidence, and practical tools for using structure intentionally to support safety, autonomy, and meaningful therapeutic change in the playroom.
To increase accessibility, we are holding two live sessions on January 30th!
The first will be from 9am-12pm PST, and the second will be from 1pm-4pm PST.
All ticket purchasers will have view-only access to the recording and materials for 30 days after the live session.
This training is designed for play therapists, clinicians in training, school-based therapists, and caregivers wishing to learn more about how to use stucturing.
9am-12pm PST


1pm-4pm PST


Live Training Sold Out?
All materials will be available by 5:00 PM (PST) on February 2nd, 2026.
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 will be featured at the Sixth Annual Innovative Child Therapy Symposium in 2025.