Dyadic Play Therapy: Partnering with Parents in the Playroom (13 Aug 2026)

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 17:00:00 GMT

Dyadic Play Therapy: Partnering with Parents in the Playroom

This training explores the use of dyadic play therapy to strengthen the parent–child relationship through both foundational “being with” experiences and trauma-informed play. Grounded in child-centered and relationship-based approaches, participants will learn how play therapy supports co-regulation, attachment, emotional expression, and relational repair when caregivers are actively included in sessions. Participants will examine how to move between caregiver consultation (collateral work) and dyadic play sessions to support treatment goals. Emphasis will be placed on the use of core play therapy skills (tracking, reflecting feelings, limit setting, following the child’s lead), therapist roles in facilitating parent participation, and strategies for in-the-moment coaching that maintain the integrity of the child’s play process.

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

Describe at least three therapeutic powers of play and their role in dyadic play therapy with caregivers and children.
Explain how dyadic play therapy supports attachment, co-regulation, and relational safety between caregiver and child
Outline the structure of a dyadic play therapy session, including the integration of caregiver consultation and in-session parent participation

3 APT Non-Contact CE | Intermediate| Play Therapy Seminal or Historically Significant Theories, Play Therapy Special Topics

About our presenter: Dana Hillman-Sabato is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™ with over 16 years’ experience in children’s behavioral health and specializes in trauma, attachment, and relationship-based interventions. Dana is endorsed by the Connecticut Association for Infant Mental Health (CT-AIMH) as an Infant Mental Health Mentor-Clinical and a certified Perinatal Mental Health Specialist (PMH-C). Dana is trained in EMDR, Child-Parent Psychotherapy, TheraPlay, Circle of Security, Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB), Child-Centered Play Therapy, and is a PeaceLove CREATOR, and Life is Good Playmaker. She is deeply passionate about dyadic work and the intentional inclusion of parents and caregivers in treatment, recognizing the caregiver–child relationship as the primary vehicle for healing and change. Grounded in attachment theory, Dana uses play therapy to build meaningful, attuned therapeutic relationships that support both children and their caregivers. Dana is the owner of Begin Within, a play therapy practice in Southbury, CT and serves as the Child First Senior Manager of Clinical Operations at Changent.

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 August 1, 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 August 1, 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.

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, Dunn Hall, 5724 Dunn Hall, 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.

New England Association for Play Therapy upcoming events

Dyadic Play Therapy: Partnering with Parents in the Playroom (13 Aug 2026)

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