Healing from Traumatic Experiences from a Child Centered Play Therapy Approach
Presented by Maggie M. Parker, PhD, LPC, RPT-S™
Children experience trauma at alarming rates, and these experiences impact their physical, mental, social, and academic health. It is vital that clinicians understand the impacts of these experiences as well as evidenced based and neurobiologically informed interventions to assist children within clinics, schools, agencies, and families. Child Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) has a long-standing history of research that offers evidence of effectiveness (Lin & Bratton, 2015; Ray et al., 2015); and demonstrates positive outcomes for children’s externalizing and internalizing behaviors, academic achievement, and relationships. Furthermore, recent research by Ray et al. (2022) demonstrates CCPT is an effective intervention to improve social-emotional competency, self-regulation, and decrease behavioral problems among children with early adversity.
Within this presentation, participants will explore the various ways in which childhood experiences can be traumatic; the neurological, physical, academic, and mental health impacts of trauma; and how CCPT can assist children in healing from these experiences. Th presenter will engage in case studies, experiential activities, small group activities, and lectures to assist participants in better understanding the intentionality and neurobiological implications of using CCPT with children who experienced trauma. Participants will also learn ways to engage with caregivers and school systems to support the whole child, and innovative and creative ways to create stability within the playroom through playroom set up and mobile units.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After attending this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Identify types of broad categories of traumatic experiences and define three types of trauma children experience.
- Discuss the empirical support for child centered play therapy as a trauma-informed intervention.
- Identify three key components of neurobiology and trauma and how they connect to CCPT.
- Describe how three CCPT skills support healing of trauma.
This training is approved by APT Approved Provider 99-050 for 3 Non-Contact CE hours.
This program is applied for NASW-Michigan Chapter for 3.0 continuing education hours.
Trainings are not recorded.
Intermediate Level | Seminal Theory
ABOUT OUR PRESENTER: Maggie Parker is an Associate Professor of Counseling and Human Development at the George Washington University. Her research agenda focuses on the mental health needs of children and adolescents and developmental approaches to counseling. She is interesting in exploring the provision of play therapy services within school settings, and teaching play therapy skills to teachers and parents. Dr. Parker provided counseling services within diverse settings, including community mental health centers, juvenile detention centers, pre-schools, high schools, and elementary schools. She held several leadership positions within state and national associations. She hopes her research can help practitioners and scholars understand mental health needs of youth and enable greater access to counseling services for underrepresented students. Dr. Parker received her undergraduate degree from University of Richmond, her Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Southern Methodist University, and her PhD in Counselor Education, specializing in school counseling and diversity, from University of North Texas. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™, and a Certified CCPT and CPRT Therapist, Supervisor, Trainer.
VIRTUAL: This will be a virtual workshop. Participants will be awarded APT NON-CONTACT CE after successful completion of a post test. Participants are requested to be present and visible throughout the presentation to facilitate engagement.
MIAPT is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to Play Therapy. APT Approved Provider 99-050. MIAPT maintains responsibility for the program.
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CANCELLATION POLICY: If you notify MIAPT you are canceling, and we are able to fill your spot, you will receive a refund for the registration fee minus $20 administrative fee. Cancellation requests must be made in writing. No refunds after May 15, 2026.
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