Mindfulness in Play Therapy: Enhancing Presence, Regulation, and Connection
Presenter: Julie Reising, LMFT, RPT-S ™
Course Description
Mindfulness and play therapy share a natural synergy: both invite presence, attunement, curiosity, and compassionate awareness of internal experience. This 7.5-hour training explores how mindfulness can be thoughtfully integrated into the play therapy process to support emotional regulation, strengthen therapeutic relationships, and enhance clinical outcomes for children, adolescents, and families.
Participants will examine the theoretical foundations and neurobiological underpinnings of mindfulness, gaining an understanding of why these approaches are particularly effective when combined with play therapy modalities. Through experiential learning, case applications, and hands-on practice, attendees will learn developmentally appropriate, play-based mindfulness interventions they can immediately implement in clinical work.
Play therapists will also engage in mindfulness practices designed to enhance their own presence, attunement, and responsiveness in sessions—core components of effective play therapy. Ethical and cultural considerations will be woven throughout, supporting thoughtful, inclusive, and clinically sound use of mindfulness with diverse clients.
This training is interactive, practical, and grounded in research and real-world experience, offering play therapists tools to help clients cultivate awareness, emotional regulation, and empowered self-expression—within the safety of the playroom.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
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Identify at least three theoretical foundations that support the integration of mindfulness practices within the play therapy process.
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Describe the neurobiological impact of mindfulness on the developing brain and how this informs the play therapist’s clinical decision-making.
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Explain a minimum of four benefits of incorporating mindfulness into play therapy with children, adolescents, and families.
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Demonstrate at least three developmentally appropriate mindfulness interventions that can be integrated into play therapy sessions to support emotional regulation and co-regulation.
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Identify and apply at least three mindfulness-based strategies to help children increase awareness of their internal experiences and strengthen their ability to label emotions within the play therapy process.
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Practice and apply at least three mindfulness techniques for play therapists to support therapist presence, attunement, and clinical responsiveness in sessions.
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Develop a treatment plan concept illustrating how mindfulness strategies can be incorporated into a play therapy framework for a specific presenting concern (e.g., anxiety, trauma, emotional dysregulation).
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Identify at least three ethical and cultural considerations when using mindfulness practices in play therapy, including adaptations for diverse developmental, familial, and cultural contexts.
APT Approved Provider 17-491
Price: $195 for 7.5 CE Hours
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