West Regional Workshop 2025
Treating Attachment Wounds: An Integrative Play Therapy Approach
Presenter: Ann Beckley-Forest, LCSW, RPT-S™
Play therapists are often at loss when treating attachment wounds and managing dissociative symptoms. We will take a prescriptive approach to play therapy treatment of attachment wounds, using neurosequential thinking and dyadic play therapy techniques and attachment-focused modalities to support gradual change for the child with a fractured sense of self. Our goal will be for clinicians to increase the intentional use of the self in these encounters with children and caregivers in the play therapy setting through an experiential exploration of their own attachment style and an awareness of how these patterns develop in the therapeutic relationship with the child.
Involving the family/caregivers in these attachment focused play therapy activities will increase their ability to mentalize for the child and allow for improved relationships at home, school and in the community. Extended case examples will help to illustrate this process. We will also focus on developing an in-depth case formulation and treatment plan and apply Child-Centered, Gestalt and other play therapy approaches within a prescriptive framework based on the current literature on polyvagal theory, developmental trauma and attachment and discuss the complications therapists may encounter in incorporating trauma approaches such as trauma narratives, EMDR or TF-CBT to heal “attachment trauma.”
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: As a result of this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Describe at least three aspects of combining an in-depth attachment history with unfolding narratives and dynamics within play therapy sessions to assess for early attachment wounds and disruptions.
- Utilize 3 mentalization questions and corresponding attachment repair interventions with caregivers in the play therapy room.
- Utilize animal archetypes to identify 8 adaptation strategies children use to cope with complex trauma and explore ways to employ these in the playroom.
- Analyze themes of play to amplify and suggest metaphors for gradually approaching traumatic material as a way of assessing the attachment and pre-verbal trauma targets
- Utilize a play-based storytelling method within a play therapy context to heal attachment wounds and preverbal traumas
- Utilize 5 play therapy interventions which apply polyvagal theory and therapeutic presence in the playroom to activate the conditions for the interoception of safety
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION: Ann Beckley-Forest, LCSW, RPT-S™ is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice in Buffalo, New York. Her specialties include attachment and child and adolescent trauma, and she also works with adult survivors. She is certified in EMDR and is an EMDR Approved Consultant and Trainer and a faculty member of the Child Trauma Institute, as well as a Registered Play Therapist and Supervisor and Approved Provider of play therapy continuing education through the Association for Play Therapy. She provides consultation in person and remotely and gives trainings locally and internationally. Her primary interest is in the intersection of play therapy and EMDR and has published on this topic including as co-editor of EMDR with Children in the Play Therapy Room: An Integrated Approach (2020) and the upcoming Oxford Handbook of EMDR.
Skill Level: Intermediate
Play Therapy Primary Areas of Instruction: Play Therapy Special Topics
Seating is limited so register early!
6 APT Contact CE: Please note that CEs are only for APT hours.
Payment must be made online at the time of registration to guarantee your seat.
Workshop Schedule
Registration: 8:30-9:00 a.m.
Workshop Session: 9:00-10:30 a.m.
Break: 10:30-10:45 a.m.
Workshop Session: 10:45-12:15 p.m.
Lunch (on your own): 12:15-1:15 p.m.
Workshop Session: 1:15-2:45 p.m.
Break: 2:45-3:00 p.m.
Workshop Session: 3:00-4:30 p.m.
End of the Workshop: 4:30 p.m.
FOOD: Food and snacks are NOT provided at this workshop. You may bring your own food or go to a local restaurant during break.
CANCELLATION POLICY: All cancellations must be requested in writing and received no later than October 17, 2025. Cancellations are subject to $25 processing fee. Substitutions may be made in writing for no additional cost. No refunds are given due to inclement weather.
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.
PHOTO RELEASE: By registering for this conference, you are giving permission for MIAPT to use any photographs that are taken at the event containing your likeness for as long as MIAPT deems appropriate and desirable. Photographs may be used on the MIAPT 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 someone at registration of your request to be omitted.
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CONTINUING EDUCATION: This workshop for mental health professionals is sponsored by the Michigan Association for Play Therapy. APT Approved Provider 99-050. CE credit is offered for play therapy. The program offers 6.00 contact hours, with full attendance required.
ADA: If you have special needs, please contact Sabrina Slagter at mymiapt@gmail.com.
