CTRI ACHIEVE

Children and Youth Workshops

Play Therapy

Tools for Helping Children and Youth

Play is a natural language for children, helping them express emotions and experiences they cannot yet explain with words. This training teaches practical play therapy tools that support healing, emotional regulation, and growth.

Start Learning View Upcoming Dates

Available for Private Delivery

Certificate Included

Play Therapy Skills for Supporting Children

Children express themselves, learn about their world, and feel most at ease when playing. This interactive workshop focuses on how to use play therapy strategies to help children and youth positively cope and work through stressful life experiences. Participants will become familiar with Play Therapy theory, clinical guiding principles, and various directive and non-directive creative interventions to use with a wide age range of children and youth. From an experiential lens, this training explores how to apply playful strategies to support children and youth on their path to healing. Get ready to play!

Please note: This workshop does not certify participants as a “Play Therapist” – the aim of the workshop is to provide practical strategies for a wide range of helpers who support children.

Learning Objectives

Describe the theory and guiding principles of play therapy

Understand the cognitive and developmental stages of children

Describe age-appropriate directive and nondirective play therapy tools and interventions

Illustrate practical and tangible tools for immediate use with clients

12,500+

Professionals Trained

4.7 Stars

Trustpilot Rating

500+

Organizations Served

Choose Your Format

Training options built for real-world needs.

Most Popular

On-Demand Workshop

Recorded workshop for flexible, self‑paced learning.

$269

/ per person

Start right away – no scheduling required

Learn at your own pace, in manageable sections

Follow along with a full downloadable manual

Earn a certificate and continuing education credits

Access anytime, on any device

Share access across your team for consistent learning

Live Virtual Workshop

Interactive sessions with experienced facilitators.

From $549

/ per person

Learn from an experienced facilitator

Ask questions and get real-time guidance

Connect and learn alongside peers

Engage in discussions and practical exercises

Earn 6 CECs per day of training

Receive a certificate upon completion

View Upcoming Dates

Personalized training solutions for your team.

Starting at

$3500 per day

per session

Additional Options

Standalone written learning resource.

What You'll Learn

Walk away with the knowledge and tools to make a meaningful difference. The objectives below outline what you'll be equipped to do after completing this training.

Understand Play Therapy Foundations

Learn why play is essential in child development.

Recognize Therapeutic Play

Identify types of play therapy techniques.

Support Emotional Expression

Help children process feelings safely.

Use Play-Based Interventions

Practice structured play tools.

Strengthen Child Relationships

Build trust through play.

Adapt to Different Needs

Modify approaches for age and context.

Our Approach

Grounded in research, practical application, and real‑world experience.

Accessible

Clear, approachable learning without unnecessary jargon.

Applicable

Content designed for real‑world challenges and opportunities.

Engaging

Facilitators bring content to life through stories and examples.

Practical

Skills and tools designed for everyday use in your setting.

What People Are Saying

Insights from our participants.

"

It's not always easy to facilitate a six-hour session, but it flew by. Perfectly timed, packed with useful, relevant information, curated to address the unique needs of our group."

K. Decle

University of British Columbia, Office of Student Academic Services

"

This was one of the best trainings our organization has had. Staff were so engaged and came away energized and excited rather than tired and drained."

T. Etienne

Portal Youth Outreach Association

"

CTRI is a great source for learning. They were easy to work with and our facilitator presented in an engaging and interactive way that kept people interested and attentive."

J. Grimes

Optimism Place Women's Shelter and Support Services

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about the training.

This training is for:

Mental health professionals

Social services and community‑based professionals

First responders and emergency services

Health care workers and support staff

School and post‑secondary personnel

Leaders, managers, and supervisors

Human resources and people operations teams

Employees in corporate or business settings

Anyone working in people‑centred or support roles

What is play therapy?

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Play therapy uses structured and unstructured play as a therapeutic medium to help children express feelings, process experiences, and develop coping skills in developmentally appropriate ways.

Who is this training for?

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This training is designed for counsellors, social workers, educators, child and youth workers, and anyone who supports children's emotional and developmental needs.

Do I need prior play therapy training to attend?

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No. This workshop is designed for helpers who want to introduce play-based techniques into their practice. It is introductory and practical in focus.

What play therapy techniques are covered?

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The workshop introduces a range of structured and unstructured play techniques, including expressive arts, storytelling, therapeutic games, and sand tray approaches.

Is this training available online or privately?

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Yes. CTRI offers this workshop in live, on-demand, and private formats. Contact us to arrange a session for your team or organization.

Can play therapy approaches be used in schools?

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Yes. Many of the techniques in this workshop are well-suited to school-based support roles. CTRI also offers a range of school-focused training options.

Use Play Therapy to Support Children

Learn practical play therapy tools to help children process emotions, build coping skills, and develop resilience. View training options or bring this workshop to your team.

Start Learning View Upcoming Dates

Available for Private Delivery

Certificate Included