Children often have difficulty verbalizing their thoughts and feelings, which may produce obstacles for the child therapist or counselor. Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) is a unique evidence-based counseling approach in which the relationship between therapist and child is the foundation for therapeutic change. In CCPT, 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. The therapist provides attitudinal conditions and developmentally appropriate materials to facilitate free expression and self-directed play of the child. In a safe environment, the child moves toward self-enhancing behaviors and ways of being. This workshop is intended to present step-by-step introductory methods on how to help children accurately express themselves to the counselor in their own language of play. This workshop will offer a process for developing healing relationships with children, as well as help counselors use play therapy to reach treatment goals. Play therapy will be described and demonstrated in detail regarding its use and effectiveness with challenging children who present in both community and school settings. Participants will learn the CCPT treatment protocol as well as actively engage in CCPT skills throughout the workshop experience.
This workshop serves as the introduction to CCPT certification. Participants will earn continuing education credits as well as complete the first educational component toward CCPT certification. Completion of this workshop allows the participant to have a greater understanding of CCPT and begin to practice basic CCPT skills. Participants who wish to practice CCPT as a therapeutic approach will need to complete CCPT 102: Child-Centered Play Therapy Practice and Application.
Schedule:
Friday, September 8, 2023
Saturday, September 9, 2023
9:00 am - 4:30 pm
Morning break: 10:30-10:45am
Lunch: 12:00-1:00pm
Afternoon break: 2:30-2:45pm
Learning Objectives:
1. Participants will describe and demonstrate the use and effectiveness of CCPT in community and school settings.
2. Participants will identify and discuss the use and implementation of CCPT protocol.
3. Participants will demonstrate CCPT skills and attitudes.
4. Participants will describe the historical antecedents of play therapy.
5. Participants will be able to identify appropriate play materials for playroom.
6. Participants will be able to identify the procedures for limit setting.
Meet the Speaker
Dee Ray, Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC, RPT-S, Certified CCPT-S, Certified CPRT-S is Distinguished Teaching Professor and Elaine Millikan Mathes Professor in Early Childhood Education in the Counseling Program and Director of the Center for Play Therapy at the University of North Texas. Dr. Ray has published over 120 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 A Therapist’s Guide to Development: The Extraordinarily Normal Years, Advanced Play Therapy: Essential Conditions, Knowledge, and Skills for Child Practice, Child Centered Play Therapy Treatment Manual, and co-author of Group Play Therapy and Child Centered Play Therapy Research.
She is a founding board member and past president of the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling, as well as current board member of the Association for Play Therapy. She is founding editor of the Journal of Child and Adolescent Counseling, American Counseling Association Fellow, and recipient of the American Counseling Association Don Dinkmeyer Social Interest Award, Association for Humanistic Counseling Educator Award, Association for Play Therapy Outstanding Research Award, Top 25 Women Professors in Texas Award, and many others.