NEAPT 2025 Annual Conference
May 2-3, 2025 | Hotel 1620 Plymouth Harbor
Friday, May 2nd | 9:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. - Choose One Session
Session 1: How to Document Play Therapy by Robyn D. Reyna, LPC-S, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™
This is a three-hour training focused on ethical and effective documentation in play therapy. The first portion will discuss the differences between insurance requirements and ethical requirements for documentation of play therapy sessions. The second portion will focus on ways to document play therapy that limits documentation to what is necessary without documenting information that could be subpoenaed and potentially misinterpreted. Finally, clinicians will write a treatment goal, and a progress note for a current client to apply the new skills to their individual theoretical orientations.
Foundational| Play Therapy Skills and Methods, Play Therapy Cultural and Social Diversity Topics
Participants will be able to…
- Describe 5 insurance documentation requirements and compare these requirements to the expectations of ethical documentation needs in play therapy.
- Discuss 3 ethical risks involved in decisions regarding documentation in play therapy.
- Identify at least two specific skills and strategies for documenting play therapy sessions that are consistent with the clinician’s theoretical orientation.
- Identify 3 influences of culture and ethnicity on play therapy themes and documentation.
Robyn D. Reyna is a Licensed Professional Counselor – Supervisor and a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor ™ in Houston, Texas. She is also certified in AutPlay® and is working on a certification in Synergetic Play Therapy as of 2024. She is the founder of Calming Communities Counseling & Wellness, PLLC, an affirming family therapy agency focused on connecting parents, teachers, and kids with a deeper understanding of the neuroscience behind mental health to help our community raise confident, capable, and connected children. Robyn has been providing play therapy for ten years and play therapy trainings for more than seven years, and has presented locally, nationally, and internationally. Robyn’s trainings focus on Adlerian play therapy, neuroaffirming play therapy, and neuroscience-based parenting strategies. Finally, Robyn is a published author of several children’s books focused on child mental health and social navigation topics. She has also published in APT’s Play Today Magazine, several scientific journals, Dr. Grant’s Play Interventions for Neurodivergent Children and Adolescents and Liana Lowenstein’s Assessment and Treatment Activities for Children, Adolescents, and Families.
Session 2: Playful Connections by Jasmine Berger, LCSW, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™
One of the amazing therapeutic powers of play is “Enhancing Social Relationships" which includes attachment. If you are looking to understand attachment theory and how it can inform your play therapy practice this training is for you! This training will discuss the ways play therapy can foster connections between caregivers and children. This training will dive into attachment theory and the four major attachment styles. We will discuss play-based assessments that can be used to better understand a child’s attachment needs. Therapists will learn how play therapy can be used to help children become more securely attached through various approaches including Filial play therapy and Theraplay. Therapists will learn and practice play therapy interventions they can use to help caregivers and children connect and foster healthy attachment.
Intermediate| Play Therapy Skills and Methods, Play Therapy Seminal or Historically Significant Theories
Participants will be able to...
- Identify the characteristics of each of the four attachment styles observed during play therapy treatment.
- Describe assessment measures and play-based assessments that can be used to assess attachment to inform play therapy treatment.
- Identify two play therapy interventions to use with children and caregivers to foster attachment.
Jasmine Berger is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™. She graduated with her MSW from Washington University in St. Louis. Jasmine worked in community mental health and as a school social worker, before starting Bud to Bloom Play Therapy, a small group practice in St. Louis. She specializes in working with children with trauma, big behaviors and attachment disruptions using play therapy. She is an intermediate Theraplay practitioner and enjoys using this approach to help caregivers and children connect and build healthy relationships. Jasmine also is an adjunct professor at the Brown School of Social work at Washington University in St. Louis.
Friday, May 2nd | 2:00 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. - Choose One Session
Session 3: Embodied Emotion: Playback Theater for Families and Groups by Teresa Dias LMHC, LPC, Registered Play Therapist™ and Jason Jedrusiac
Playback theater grew from Drama Therapy. In this 3 hour workshop, learn how to use embodied playful warm ups and Playback techniques in clinical settings with families and groups. We will practice improvised games and group building exercises that you can apply to your play therapy settings. The workshop will culminate in advanced playback techniques which will promote spontaneity, deep listening, embodied emotion, and shared joy. This workshop will be experiential, and does not require any theater skills. These action methods are congruent with play therapy techniques, and can enliven and enhance your work with families and groups! We will discuss resistance, pacing and modifications for varying communities, ability levels and special populations.
Foundational | Play Therapy Special Topics
Participants will be able to…
- Identify 3 embodied action methods to use with groups or families which promote “turning towards” or connection when used in play therapy.
- Name 2 core elements of playback and drama therapy exercises which are congruent with the play therapy process.
- Describe 3 phases of an embodied session and how these can be used in play therapy.
Teresa Dias LMHC, LPC, Registered Play Therapist™ has an undergraduate degree in expressive therapies from Lesley University in MA where she also earned her master's degree in Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in drama therapy. She is a licensed mental health counselor in MA ( LMHC) and Licensed Professional Counselor in Virginia (LPC). She pursued additional training in play therapy and is a Registered Play Therapist (RPT™). Her work experience has been both with children, families, and adults. She worked with Eliot Community Human Services in their outpatient clinic, with at-risk youth and their families. Also through Eliot, she was placed in several k-8 public schools and provided school-based play therapy. Most recently, she worked with Ellenhorn, a private community integration program for adults with mental illness. Throughout these work settings, she has prioritized expressive therapies, such as art, sand, and drama therapy and worked with children and adults with anxiety, depression, ADHD, and bipolar disorder. Teresa also has a special interest in attachment theory and promoting healthy parent-child attachment and towards that end became a certified Circle of Security Parent Educator, as well as a Theraplay level 1 practitioner. Both techniques promote responsive attunement between children and their caregivers. Teresa has also received EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) basic training and has helped clients reframe and manage their traumatic histories. Her interest in trauma was further deepened when she delivered the ARC (Attachment, Regulation and Competency) program to children and families, as part of a research project in MA. Teresa's primary therapy approach is client centered, informed by attachment and trauma theories. She is excited to work as a part-time telehealth provider for the Gil institute.
Session 4: What Kind of Play Do You Need? by Denise Galford-Koeppel, PMC, MS, MS Ed, LMHC, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™ and Howard Moody
Play is neurorestorative to a brain affected with stress. Developmentally appropriate play meets the child where they are and reminds the young brain that the world can feel manageable and secure, allowing the nervous system to calm. Adults also need opportunities for mindfulness and for play to restore normal levels of cortisol. Play therapy is hard work as the clinician is both playing and meeting the therapeutic needs of the client at the same time. That is a lot of neurons firing! Join Howard and Denise, both certified Life Is Good Playmakers, in understand your own play personality, how play helps rebuild adults, how to be playful with other adults to find restoration for your play therapy self.
All Levels| Play Therapy Skills & Methods
Participants will be able to:
- Explain the impact of stress on job satisfaction for counselors who utilize play therapy.
- Describe the 8 play personalities and explain how these present in play therapists and in play therapy clients.
- List the four roots of Optimism and the SuperPowers that can enhance interactions between therapist and client in play therapy.
- Create a 4 step Playmaker Care Plan to increase resilience and prevent burnout in play therapists.
Denise Galford-Koeppel, PMC, MS, MS Ed, LMHC, RPT-S™ is a Certified LIGPlaymaker and play-ologist. She is a special educator, certified early intervention specialist, coach, licensed mental health counselor, and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™ passionate about applying the powers of play to make a difference for our future generations. Denise supports children, parents, and educators through the approaches of the Hanen® Program, the Pyramid Model, and Developmental Individual-Differences Relationship -Based Model® (DIR®) with specialization in working with young children (those under age 8 years).
Howard Moody has been facilitating workshops for over 35 years and he specializes in designing team building, play leadership training, stress reduction, and wellness presentations. www.howardmoody.com. Howard has also been a teacher and successful coach of numerous sports for many years and deeply understands the value of creating effective teams and how to achieve peak performance. Howard has been a faculty member at the Omega Institute for Holistic Studies for many years and is also the co-founder of The Adventure Game Theater, an extraordinary improvisational learning process for teens that has been featured on PBS and NPR). Combining experiential learning with creativity, improvisational theater, play, community building, mythology and storytelling the Adventure Game theater has brought magic into many young people’s lives. Deepening connections among people is Howard's passion and his mission is to help people be fully inspired, creative and playful in all that they do. Howard is also a certified Advanced Trainer for The Nurtured Heart Approach and has written the book, Nurtured Heart Play in collaboration with Howard Glasser, the founder of the Nurtured Heart Approach. Howard has also just completed his comprehensive games manual entitled The Heart of Play Games Manual— 200 Activities for Connection and Joy.
Saturday, May 3rd | 9:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. | 1:45 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Meaning and Progress in Play Therapy: Identifying Themes and Measuring Change – Dee C. Ray, PhD, LPC-S, NCC, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™
In play therapy, the healing factor is identified as the relationship between play therapist and child. Relationship is based on clear communication between therapist and child, yet the child communicates through play. This workshop will offer a process for identifying common themes in play therapy that will help the play therapist learn to communicate more effectively with the child in session and with parents and schools outside of session. The presenter will lead the participant through a systematic method of identification and use of themes to enhance the play therapy process. In addition, the workshop will facilitate skills on how to use play themes to determine therapeutic progress and ascertain the need for termination. Using systemic and holistic evaluation procedures, presenter will offer participants a system of evaluation to help determine the need for treatment modifications, termination, and/or patience with the process. Participants will learn markers of progress and how to use these markers to help children progress more effectively through the play therapy process. This workshop is directed to mental health professionals who have familiarity with play therapy.
Foundational | Play Therapy Seminal/Historically Significant Theories (2), Play Therapy Skills and Methods (3), Cultural and Social Diversity (1)
Participants will be able to…
- identify at least 20 possible themes in play therapy
- identify the three main components of identifying themes.
- consistently match common themes with observed play.
- communicate themes through responses during play therapy sessions.
- verbally communicate play themes to caregivers in family consultations.
- identify at least 5 standardized measures of change for tracking play therapy progress.
- apply a systematic approach that can be used to identify and measure progress in play therapy.
Dee C. Ray, PhD, LPC-S, NCC, RPT-S™ is co-owner of the counseling practice, EmpathyWell, in Highland Village, TX where she facilitates play therapy, training, consultation, and supervision. Dr. Ray is Regents Emeritus Professor in the Counseling Program and Director Emeritus of the Center for Play Therapy at the University of North Texas. Dr. Ray has published over 150 articles, chapters, and books in the field of play therapy, specializing in research specifically examining the process and effects of Child Centered Play Therapy. Dr. Ray is author of Playful Education: Using Play Therapy Strategies to Elevate Your Classroom, A Therapist’s Guide to Development: The Extraordinarily Normal Years, Advanced Play Therapy: Essential Conditions, Knowledge, and Skills for Child Practice, and co-author of Multicultural Play Therapy and Group Play Therapy. She is a founding board member and past president of the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling, as well as past board chair of the Association for Play Therapy. She is an American Counseling Association Fellow, and two-time recipient of the Association for Play Therapy Outstanding Research Award, among many others.
For CE, participants will need to download the form when available, complete and mail to ICE with payment of $30.
SEATING IS LIMITED. EARLY REGISTRATION ENDS APRIL 1ST! Full payment is due at the time of registration to confirm registration. If payment isn't received within seven (7) days of registration, your registration may be canceled.
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
Friday, May 2, 2025
8:00 a.m. Registration
9:00 a.m. Sessions Begin (Choice of #1 or #2)
12:15 p.m. Lunch on Your Own
2:00 p.m. Sessions Begin (Choice of #3 or #4)
5:15 p.m. Sessions End
Saturday, May 3, 2025
8:00 a.m. Registration, Continental Breakfast and Coffee
8:45 a.m. Welcome and Opening Remarks, Annual Meeting
9:15 a.m. Session Begins
12:30 p.m. Lunch on Your Own
1:45 p.m. Session Continues
5:00 p.m. Conference Concludes
HANDOUTS: In an effort to reduce paper waste and be more “green,” our policy is to email all handouts. Please include a valid email address with your registration to receive the handouts.
PARKING: Complimentary parking is available at the hotel for participants.
HEALTH AND SAFETY: At NEAPT, your safety is a priority. As NEAPT moves forward with producing live meetings and conferences, we will continue to monitor the continually evolving guidance released by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as all federal, state, and local government mandates, to provide an environment that is as safe as possible for all event participants. By participating in person, I agree to follow the meeting’s health and safety policies. Attendees of NEAPT events voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to Covid-19 and its variants, and are advised to undertake precautions deemed necessary, to include those recommended by the CDC and the State of Connecticut. NEAPT will provide hand sanitizers and will allow for social distancing. Let us know if you need something to make you feel more comfortable.
PHOTO RELEASE: By registering for this conference, you are giving permission for NEAPT to use any photographs 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 registration of your request to be omitted.
CANCELLATION POLICY: All cancellations must be requested in writing and received no later than April 11, 2025. Cancellations are subject to $35 processing fee. No refunds after April 11, 2025. Substitutions (allowing another person to attend in your place) may be made in writing for no additional cost. No refunds are given due to inclement weather.
HOTEL INFORMATION: Hotel 1620 Plymouth Harbor, 180 Water Street, Plymouth, Massachusetts 02360. Attendees are responsible to make hotel reservations. The hotel number is 508-747-4900. Please mention NE Play Therapy Room Block when making reservations. Hotel 1620 Plymouth Harbor website may be accessed here. Use the NEAFPT202 code in the Group Code Section.
New England Association for Play Therapy: NEAPT is a professional organization striving to advance the theory and practice of play therapy through activities such as conferences, seminars, and networking in order to serve the mental health needs of New England children, families, schools and communities. For more information on the Conference visit our website at www.newenglandplaytherapy.org.
EXHIBITS: Exhibitors will be welcome to provide books and therapeutic materials for sale Friday & Saturday.
CONTINUING EDUCATION: This program is co-sponsored, by the New England Association for Play Therapy and The Institute for Continuing Education. The Conference offers a total of 12.00 CE Hrs. (6.00 hrs. per day), with full attendance required for the days you attend.
Continuing education credit is awarded on a daily basis, with full attendance required for the days attended. The CE processing fee is $ 30.00, to be paid by participants who wish to submit 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(s).
NOTE: This program offers no “ethics hours”. The program workshops are 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 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.
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 submitted for pre-approval 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 Provider 98-040.
Non-U.S. Professionals: The Institute for Continuing Education holds no CE provider status with Canadian or other Non-U.S. licensing/certification boards. It is your responsibility to check the regulations of your licensing/certification board to determine CE requirements for training activities.
Non-Credit Events: Breakfast, lunch, reception events, committee/business meetings, networking sessions
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: If you have special needs, please contact NEAPT at neapt@newenglandplaytherapy.org.
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