FRI (Live In-Person) Ally Granados, LMSW "Play Therapists' Role in Disability Justice and Advocacy"

FRI (Live-In Person) Katie Bassiri, LPCC RPT-S "Celebrating Identity in Play Therapy with Strengths-Based Approaches"

SAT (Live In-Person) Mary Beth Murray, LCSW RPT-S "Helping Parents Support Their Transgender Children"

SAT (Live In-Person) Mary Beth Murray "Bibliotherapy in Play Therapy For LGBTQIAPP+ Clients"

SUN (Online) Dr. Kade Sharp, PHD LISW RPT-S "Neurodiversity Affirming Ethical Play Therapy for Autistic and Transgender Youth"

Title: Navigating Systemic Injustices of Neurodiversity in the Playroom

Objectives:

Through the use of PowerPoint lecture and small group discussion, participants will review the cultural and systemic impact of disability and disability policy as it impacts play therapy services in NM.

Through PowerPoint lecture, and live examples, participants will develop a varied perspective of working with diverse populations by exploring and witnessing accommodations and modifications that a play therapist can utilize in the playroom.

Through experiential exercises, participants will deepen their understanding of their own cultural and social identities and the influences that these intersections have in the application of their play therapy practice.

Bio:

Allyson Granados, LCSW

Is a current play therapist at The Treehouse.

Allyson has been working with the neurodiverse population for over 17 years. Allyson specializes in working with children, teen and families, including working with autistic children, neurodivergent children, those diagnosed with ADHD and other developmental disabilities. With mental health at the forefront, Allyson supports families from a humanistic approach hoping to create a more representative society. Before becoming a therapist Allyson worked as a special education teacher, home health aid, and recreational based leader. Utilizing these experiences, Allyson speaks to other professionals on understanding the state waivers in addition to providing accommodations and modifications in the play room in hope of encouraging inclusivity. Allyson is trained in many modalities including Play Therapy, DIR Floortime, Safe and Sound Protocol, and AutPlay.

Title: Returning to Self in the Playroom: Strengths Based Techniques of Identity Support in Play Therapy

Katie Bassiri, LPCC RPT-S

Description: This 2-hour training will jumpstart the play therapist's process in returning to their "self" in the play therapy room, by reflecting on their own cultural and social identity and its influence in the play therapy process. Through engaging and experiential play therapy activities, therapists will recall their strengths and will create physical representations of their strengths to serve as reminders during times of struggle. By incorporating authenticity and self in the playroom, therapists will learn ways of being that will encourage client's felt sense of safety, allowing for unmasking and identity formation.

1) Through PowerPoint lecture and self-reflection activities, participants will demonstrate understanding of own cultural and social identity and its influence in the play therapy process.

2) Through experiential exercises, therapists will engage in 5 play therapy activities that focus on strengths identification

Title: Helping Parents Support Their Transgender and Gender Expansive Children Using Play Therapy

Abstract:

Play therapists often face the important task of supporting parents and caregivers who have transgender, gender expansive and gender creative children. This workshop will provide participants with tools to recognize barriers to parent acceptance of play therapy clients, clinical strategies to engage parents of play therapy clients in a positive change process, and family play therapy strategies to support parent affirmation and attachment with their transgender children using humanistic, attachment, identity development, family systems and systems theories. Play therapists will also identify the challenges they face in working with parents of transgender children and use play therapy strategies to replenish themselves in community.

Objectives:

Participants will be able to list three barriers to parent acceptance of transgender, gender expensive and gender creative play therapy clients.

Participants will be able to name three play therapy strategies to engage parents in a positive change process to support their transgender, gender expensive and gender creative child.

Participants will use two family play therapy strategies to support parent affirmation and attachment with their transgender children.

Participants will be able to name three ways play therapists can get community support for working with parents of transgender, gender expensive and gender creative play therapy clients.

Title: Integrating Bibliotherapy Effectively in Play Therapy For LGBTQIAPP+ Clients

Abstract:

This workshop will identify the benefits and practical applications of integrating bibliotherapy into play therapy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, pansexual and polyamorous play therapy clients of all ages. Participants will explore the unique needs of play therapy clients who have these social and personal identities and think critically about selecting appropriate bibliotherapy materials for play therapy with LGBTQIAPP+ clients using humanistic, developmental, narrative and systems theories. We will review and practice a variety of bibliotherapy materials and techniques to use in play therapy across the LGBTQIAPP+ continuum. Participants will also learn strategies to access appropriate literature for this work.

Objectives:

Participants will be able to…

1. Participants will be able to list three benefits of integrating bibliotherapy into play therapy with LGBTQIAPP+ clients

Participants will be able to identify three potential biases present in books that can negatively impact bibliotherapy in play therapy with LGBTQIAPP+ clients.

Participants will practice at least three bibliotherapy techniques to use in play therapy with LGBTQIAPP+ clients.

Participants will identify three strategies to locate appropriate literature to use for bibliotherapy in play therapy with LGBTQIAPP+ clients.

Title: Neurodiversity Affirming Ethical Play Therapy for Autistic Youth

Presented by Dr. Kade Sharp, PhD, LICSW, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, CMHS

Abstract:

With an estimated 1 in 36 children being autistic in the United States, it’s important that play

therapists and mental health professionals know how to ethically support these clients. Join us

for an engaging 6 hour training that focuses on providing neurodiversity affirming play therapy

to autistic youth!

Description:

Neurodiversity Affirming Ethical Play Therapy for Autistic Youth is a comprehensive training

designed to equip participants with the knowledge and applicable skills necessary to provide

effective and ethical play therapy services to autistic youth. This is presented from someone with

lived experience: Dr. Kade Sharp, an autistic trans Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker,

Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and Child Mental Health Specialist with a PhD in Clinical

Sexology.

Participants will learn how to apply ethical considerations to play therapy interventions for

autistic youth. They will examine the neurodiversity paradigm and understand how it reinforces

the need for neurodiversity affirming play therapy for autistic youth. Participants will also be

guided in identifying their own personal biases that may affect their work with this population.

They will gain knowledge on how to effectively screen for autism during play therapy

interventions and how to navigate the play therapy process in ways that work for autistic youth.

Through interactive exercises, video examples, and research-based information, participants will

explore what it means to be autistic and how to support their autistic clients.

It is our aim that this training will empower participants to provide ethical, affirming, and

effective play therapy services to autistic youth, promoting their mental and emotional

well-being!

Objectives:

● Apply ethical considerations to play therapy interventions with autistic youth

● Describe the neurodiversity paradigm and how it reinforces the need for neurodiversity

affirming play therapy for autistic youth

● Identify personal biases, such as internalized ableism, that may impact play therapy

services

● Describe how to screen for autism during play therapy interventions and the play therapy process.

Modify common play therapy techniques and the play therapy space to affirm autistic

identities

● Explain how play therapy techniques can support autistic clients in meeting their goals

Presenter Bio:

● Dr. Kade Sharp (he/they) is an autistic trans Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker

practicing in Richland, Washington at Spectrum Counseling, his private practice, where

he sees therapy clients, supervises clinicians working toward licensure, and provides case

consultation for colleagues. Kade is also a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor and a

Child Mental Health Specialist. He has his PhD in Clinical Sexology from Modern Sex

Therapy Institutes. Kade has had a clinical focus on working with autistic and trans folks

of all ages, especially those with anxiety challenges, over the last 7 years. He has given

presentations on queer and trans topics since 2014. Previously, he has worked as a

Wraparound with Intensive Services Mental Health Therapist and Program Supervisor.

His volunteer work over the past 9 years has been with local LGBTQ+ youth centers,

Pride organizations, the Diversity Equity Inclusion team at a local school district, and

serving on the WA state chapter of the Association for Play Therapy board.

Each 3 and 6hr training is approved for CE live contact APT Hrs.   APT provider #03-132

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