NEAPT Virtual Conference

Session 5: Let’s Play (Therapy) Outside! - Susanne Carroll Duffy, Psy.D., RPT-S

There is a lot of thought about what constitutes a playroom in play therapy.  We look dreamily at Pinterest play spaces and imagine the toys we wish for our child clients. If you are a sandtray therapist, every object becomes a play possibility. That’s because play therapists understand that for children, the toys become their words. So, can play therapy happen outside of the four walls of a playroom or without the language of toys? 

This workshop explores the benefits of doing just that…in the outdoors. The outdoors provides the bottom-up sensory-motor regulation opportunity that makes way for symbolic and verbal processing. Additionally, in nature-based play therapy, the child not only develops a relationship to the therapist, but to nature, and that is a resource that they will always have with them.

This workshop will approach the use of nature from within a cognitive behavioral play therapy perspective integrated with expressive therapies. The story Finding Diamonds will illustrate the benefits of a relationship to nature for children and demonstrate ways to use the story to encourage a relationship to nature. The workshop will also explore practical ways that time outdoors encourages sensory-motor regulation, and how to measure progress across sessions.

Participants will be able to…

1.  Describe 8 ways that nature-based play therapy benefits child clients.

2.  Use the story Finding Diamonds in play therapy sessions, to encourage a child-nature relationship inside and outside of sessions.

3.  Measure progress in nature-based play therapy using the metaphor of a walking stick.

About our presenter: Sue Carroll Duffy, PsyD, RPT-S is a psychologist who works for the Passamaquoddy tribe at the Pleasant Point Health Center in Maine. She developed the Moving Stories Play Therapy Method and is author of “Finding Diamonds”, a picture book that encourages children to connect with nature and explore their feelings. 

Limited to 40 participants.

If you want Continuing Education, you must register separately. Continuing Education is available for $25. You only need to register ONCE, which will be valid for all sessions scheduled from Thursday, 10/29/20 through Saturday, 10/31/20.

VIRTUAL: This will be a virtual meeting. Participants will be awarded CONTACT CE after successful completion of a post test. Participants must be visible throughout the presentation. Due to COVID-19 health concerns, this one-time online event has been approved by APT for 3 CONTACT CE Hours.

PHOTO RELEASE: By registering for this conference, you are giving permission for NEAPT to use any photographs (screen shots) that are taken at the event containing your likeness for as long as NEAPT deems appropriate and desirable. Photographs may be used on the NEAPT website, social media pages, and/or newsletter for any purpose. By completing the registration, you are also consenting to waive any rights to the photographs indefinitely. If you do not wish to have your photo used, it is your responsibility to notify NEAPT of your request to be omitted.

CANCELLATION POLICY: All cancellations must be requested in writing and received no later than October 5, 2020. Cancellations are subject to $25 processing fee. No refunds after October 5, 2020. Substitutions (allowing another person to attend in your place) may be made in writing for no additional cost. 

CONTINUING EDUCATION: This program is co-sponsored, by the New England Association for Play Therapy and The Institute for Continuing Education. This session offers a total of 3.00 contact hours.  

Continuing education credit is awarded on a daily basis, with full attendance required for the days attended. The CE processing fee is $25.00, to be paid by participants who wish to make application for CE credit for their participation in the program. Application forms and other required CE materials will be available on site for submission to The Institute for Continuing Education. If you have questions regarding the program, continuing education  learning objectives, faculty, contact  The Institute at: 800-557-1950 / email: instconted@aol.com

NOTE: To receive continuing education credit, applicants must complete all CE materials, sign in/out at designated locations, and submit an evaluation form for the sessions attended. 

NOTE: It is the responsibility of the attendee to determine if CE credit offered by The Institute for Continuing Education meets the regulations of their state licensing/certification board.

NOTE: The program workshops do not offer “ethics” hours.  CE credit is not academic and may not be used toward fulfillment of a degree.

Psychology: The Institute for Continuing Education is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Institute for Continuing Education maintains responsibility for this program and its content.   

Counseling: For counselors seeking CE credit, The Institute for Continuing Education will submit a co-sponsorship application to NBCC for this program. New York: The Institute for Continuing Education is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors.  Provider MHC-0016.

Social Work: Application for social work continuing education credit has been submitted.  This website will be updated regarding approval.  New York: The Institute for Continuing Education is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers, Provider SW-0025. New Jersey: This program will NOT be submitted for pre-approval for New Jersey social workers.

Marriage/Family Therapy: The Institute for Continuing Education is a recognized provider of continuing education by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for MFT, Provider MFT-0012. Massachusetts: This program has not been pre-approved for MA MFTs. 

Play Therapy: The Institute for Continuing Education is approved by The Association for Play Therapy to sponsor continuing education specific to play therapy. The Institute maintains responsibility for the program. APT Approved Provider 98-040. New England Association for Play Therapy APT Approved Provider 02-123. Due to COVID-19 health concerns, this one-time online event has been approved by APT for 3 CONTACT CE Hours.

Skills Level: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced.  Attendees are urged to review the session descriptions to determine appropriateness for professional and personal needs.

Instructional Methodology:  May include lecture, demonstration, audio/visual, experiential practice of techniques, case examples, large and small group discussion.

ADA/Section 504: If you have special needs, please contact Woody Belt at conferenceneapt@gmail.com.