Weaving Encouragement: Threads of Adlerian Play Therapy with the Therapeutic Powers of Play (18 Sep 2026)

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Weaving Encouragement: Threads of Adlerian Play Therapy with the Therapeutic Powers of Play

This intermediate-level training brings Adlerian Play Therapy (AdPT) and the Therapeutic Powers of Play (TPoP) to life as a powerful, encouraging, developmentally appropriate, and culturally responsive approach to treatment. Participants will explore foundational concepts and experience how a phased approach to observation, an initial lifestyle assessment, insight, and re-education can honor each child’s unique story and support purposeful intervention. Through engaging experiential activities, case examples across different target populations, and reflective learning, participants will learn to weave Adlerian principles with the therapeutic powers of play into practical, meaningful strategies for case conceptualization and clinical work. Special emphasis will be placed on encouragement as the thread that strengthens relationships and engages collaboration with parents, caregivers, and school personnel. Participants will leave inspired with a fresh Adlerian lens for seeing children differently and a set of clinical threads they can continue weaving into their practice.

Space is limited, so please register early.

Learning Objectives for Day 1: After successful completion of the workshop, participants will be able to:

Describe 3 foundational Adlerian principles used in Adlerian play therapy. (AdPT)
Identify the four main categories of the Therapeutic Powers of Play (TPoP).
Describe where to find the evidence base and current research relevant to Adlerian play therapy (AdPT) and the limitations of the research.
Describe the differences between encouragement and praise and be able to provide one example of encouragement language.
Describe the 4 phases of Adlerian play therapy (AdPT) and their therapeutic purposes.
List the Crucial Cs (Courage, Connect, Count, and Capable) and describe how they can be applied across the different phases of Adlerian practice.
List the personality priorities (Comfort, Pleasing, Control, and Superiority) and describe how the personality priorities can be used in play therapy consultation.
Demonstrate 5 relationship-building facilitative skills of the therapist used in the first stage of Adlerian play therapy (AdPT) and match these with specific therapeutic powers of play.
Demonstrate limit setting in the Adlerian play therapy (AdPT) approach.

Learning Objectives for Day 2: After successful completion of the workshop, participants will be able to:

Describe how the intersection of the play therapist, the child, and the child’s family all contribute to cultural and systemic lifestyle assessment and to case conceptualization.
Demonstrate two interventions for exploring lifestyle in the 2nd phase of Adlerian play therapy (AdPT) and match these with specific therapeutic powers of play.
Identify two interventions useful in stage three of Adlerian play therapy (AdPT) and match these with specific therapeutic powers of play.
Describe two therapeutic metaphorical storytelling interventions applicable for phase three and match this with specific therapeutic powers of play.
Demonstrate two interventions in phase four (re-education/reorientation) and match these with specific therapeutic powers of play.
Identify two benefits of conducting parent/caregiver/school personnel consultation in Adlerian play therapy.
Identify local, regional, and national resources for play therapy training and knowledge.
Describe 2 limitations of the workshop content and risks associated with using the workshop material.

12 APT Contact CE | Intermediate| Play Therapy Seminal or Historically Significant Theories, Play Therapy Skills and Methods

Tentative Schedule for September 18 and 19

09:00AM - 12:00PM - Training & 15 Minute Break

12:00PM - 01:00PM - Break (Lunch on your own)

01:00PM - 04:30PM - Training & 15 Minute Break

Location

University of Maine in Orono, Bangor Room in Memorial Union, 5748 Memorial Union, Orono, ME 04469

About our presenters: Mary Anne Peabody, Ed.D., LCSW, RPT-S™ is a professor at the University of Southern Maine, where she teaches play therapy and presents internationally. She has held leadership roles with APT, received the 2019 Outstanding Service Award, chairs the Foundation Board, and serves on the editorial advisory board for the International Journal of Play Therapy.

This is a complimentary training. There is no fee for NEAPT members and guests.

NEAPT is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to Play Therapy. APT Approved Provider 02-123. NEAPT maintains responsibility for the program.

Cancellation Policy: All cancellations must be requested in writing and received no later than September 4, 2026.

By registering for this training, you are giving NEAPT permission to add your email to our email list and you are giving permission for NEAPT to use any photographs or screenshots that are taken during the event containing your likeness for promotional purposes.

Play Therapy in Action: Play Therapy Techniques to Teach Self-Management Skills (21 Sep 2026)

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Play Therapy in Action: Play Therapy Techniques to Teach Self-Management Skills

Play therapy provides the ideal setting to support the development of self-management skills. This workshop explores the connections between the therapeutic factors of play therapy, skill acquisition and creative interventions. Supporting the development of self-management skills using play therapy is essential for two primary reasons:

Self-management is one of the five competencies critical for success in school, at work, and in life according to research by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning (CASEL).
According to Dr. Charles Schaefer, the principle underlying the therapeutic powers of play is that the play itself is the source of behavior change. These 20 core agents of change can be used to support the development of self-management skills.

During this workshop, participants will learn how the therapeutic factors of play therapy support learning self-management skills. Additionally participants will view and practice many creative play therapy interventions that help children manage emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively in different situations and so they may achieve goals and aspirations.

Learning Objectives: After successful completion of the workshop, participants will be able to:

Identify self-management skills as they are utilized in play therapy.
Identify the therapeutic factors of play therapy as they support the development of self-management skills.
Use 3 creative play therapy interventions that will support the development of self-management skills.

3 APT Non-Contact CE | Intermediate| Play Therapy Skills and Methods

About our presenter: Wendy Monahan, MS, RPT-S™ is the school counselor at Stowe Elementary School. During her 30+ years, she has adapted play therapy techniques to fit the challenges of school schedules, diverse groupings, and the unique demands of a school setting. Wendy was awarded the NEAPT 2025 Leader in Play Therapy. Wendy is accompanied daily by her therapy dogs Peanut and Bailey.

NEAPT Members $50; Guests $60

VIRTUAL: This will be a virtual meeting. NEAPT requests that video cameras be on and participants be visible throughout the presentation to facilitate engagement. Participants will be awarded APT Non-Contact CE upon successful completion of a post test.

Please note that this virtual training will not be recorded, and live attendance is required.

Cancellation Policy: All cancellations must be requested in writing and received no later than September 7, 2026. Cancellations are subject to a $15 processing fee. Substitutions (someone else attending) or transfer of registration to another training date may be requested. No refunds or partial refunds after September 7, 2026.

New England Association for Play Therapy upcoming events

Weaving Encouragement: Threads of Adlerian Play Therapy with the Therapeutic Powers of Play (18 Sep 2026)

Play Therapy in Action: Play Therapy Techniques to Teach Self-Management Skills (21 Sep 2026)