In-Person Workshops

Play Therapy

Tools for Helping Children and Youth

March 01, 2023 - March 02, 2023

(09:00 AM - 04:00 PM MST )

$499.00 (regular rate)

$459.00 (*early rate)

Trainer Vivian Houg, Msc, RPsych

Location: Holiday Inn Conference Centre Edmonton South, Edmonton, Alberta

*(early rate expires 8-2-23 )

Continuing Education
Credit Hours (CEC)

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

Upon completion, participants should be able to:

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

Method of Delivery

Presentation, video, experiential practice of activities and exercises, personal reflection, delivered electronically.

Some of the Topics Included

Why does Play Therapy Work?
Attachment, Neuroscience, Family Systems
Children’s Growing Brains: Cognitive and Development Stages
Inner Resiliency – Child-Centered Play Therapy
Using Directive vs. Non-directive Approaches with Children and Youth
How Play can Help Overcome Trauma
Play-based Cognitive and Behavioural Therapy Strategies
Creative Interventions for Emotional Awareness and Self-Reflection
Art-Based Therapy
Helping Children and Youth Develop Self-Regulation
The Impact of Family – How Family Play Therapy Helps
Building the Blocks of Attachment
Somatic Approaches and Body-based Exercises
Skills for using a Sand Tray
Tools to use Puppetry
Develop Story-telling Skills

Target Audience

This is an introductory-intermediate level workshop intended for school personnel, social service and health care professionals, counsellors, social workers, parents, and anyone wanting to gain increased capacity in helping children and youth.

Terms & Conditions

View our cancellation policy and other information regarding your live virtual workshop or for your in-person workshop.

Trainer: Vivian Houg

Msc, RPsych

Vivian is a Registered Psychologist and holds a Masters of Science Degree in Psychology. She has extensive experience supporting children and youth with a variety of addiction concerns, mental health issues, and developmental diagnoses including Autism Spectrum Disorders, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, Attention Deficit Disorder, depression, and anxiety. In addition to training with CTRI, Vivian works for a public agency supporting youth with concurrent addiction and mental health concerns. She believes that we are each part of a dynamic system of family, society, and culture that informs how we see the world and live our lives. Vivian has a passion for sharing information in a way that is meaningful and memorable and brings this energy to the workshops she leads.