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To Play or Not to Play: Delivering Developmentally Supportive Counseling to Preadolescents through Play Therapy and Expressive Arts 

Navigating the complex emotional and developmental needs of pre-adolescents can be challenging for counselors, but effective therapeutic approaches such as play therapy and expressive arts can create powerful avenues for expression, healing, and growth. This interactive workshop is designed to equip the child counselor with the knowledge and practical skills necessary to engage pre-adolescent clients using play therapy and expressive arts techniques. 

Through a blend of theory and hands-on practice, participants will explore developmental models relevant to pre-adolescents, gaining insights into the cognitive, emotional, and social milestones that shape this age group. During this workshop strategies for determining whether play therapy or expressive arts therapy is more appropriate based on developmental needs, presenting issues, and client preferences will be explored. Attendees will also learn how expressive arts—including drawing, painting, music, and drama—can enhance the therapeutic process by providing children with non-verbal outlets for self-expression, emotional regulation, and problem-solving. 

Days/Times

Thursday, June 26, 2025, 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM CT

Objectives:

  1. Participants will be able to identify developmental models that typical pre-adolescents may experience.  
  2. Participants will be able to define expressive arts in counseling and why they are helpful in working with pre-adolescents.  
  3. Participants will develop an understanding of how to apply the use of an expressive art technique with a pre-adolescent client. 
  4. Participants will be able to identify factors in deciding which counseling approach (play therapy vs. activity/expressive arts therapy) is more developmentally appropriate for their pre-adolescent client.  
  5. Participants will develop an understanding of the differences in play therapy responses with pre-adolescences when conducting play sessions.  
  6. Participants will be able to identify steps in processing an expressive art activity with a pre-adolescent.  

Meet the Speaker

PJ Blanco PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S, CHST  is an Associate Professor at Tarleton State University with over fifteen years of experience in counselor education at multiple CACREP-accredited programs. He has specialized training and extensive experience in providing play therapy to children in both community agencies and school settings. Dr. Blanco's primary teaching areas include Play Therapy, Counseling Skill Development, Child and Adolescent Counseling, Expressive Arts, and Group Counseling. He holds certifications as a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, and Certified Humanistic Sandtray Therapist. In addition to his teaching, Dr. Blanco maintains a small counseling supervision practice. 

As both a therapist and educator, Dr. Blanco is deeply committed to offering developmentally appropriate treatment. Throughout his career, he has delivered over fifty conference presentations and published more than twenty peer-reviewed articles in the field of play therapy. His research interests include exploring the connection between play therapy and academic achievement. 

References

Lindo, N. A., Li, D., Hastings, T., Ceballos, P., Werts, R., Molina, C., Oller, M., & Laird, A. (2022). Child and adolescent career construction: Lived experiences of an expressive arts group. The Career Development Quarterly, 70(4), 300–313. 

Lindsey, L., Robertson, P., & Lindsey, B. (2018). Expressive arts and mindfulness: Aiding adolescents in understanding and managing their stress. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 13(3), 288-297. 

Parker, M. & Cade, R. (2018). Using sand tray therapy with juveniles in correctional settings. Journal of Addiction Offender Counseling, 39(2), 78-88. 

Siu, A., & Chan, A. (2020). Multimodal expressive arts in school counseling: A strength-based intervention program for academic underachievers. Asia Pacific Journal of Counseling and Psychotherapy, 11(2),139-158. 

Yoder, A., Somerville, T., Pincente, D., Oglesby, K., Spangler, P., Ehlers, D., Kledzik, S., & Pickowitz, J. (2020). The effect of school-based creative expression group therapy on the self-concept of female adolescents. Journal of Child and Adolescent Counseling, 6(1), 37-53.