The Neurobiology of Play Therapy: Child-Centered Play-Based Approaches that Enhance Sensory Integration and Emotional Regulation for the Developing Brain
Georgie Wisen, LMFT
Over the last decade, we have seen a significant trend toward integrating the neurobiological perspective when creating more effective therapeutic interventions for our clients. Play therapists have long been aware of the therapeutic benefits of play in working with children, but how does play specifically nurture healthy brain development? And how can we understand the neurobiology of play experiences that happen in the therapy room to optimize a child’s sensory integration and emotional regulation?
In this two-hour training, you will learn specific play practices designed to improve sensory and emotional functioning targeted to meet the diverse treatment needs of children, especially those children who seem impossible to work with from a cognitive-behavioral talk therapy model. Drawing on concepts of interpersonal neurobiology, the benefits of child-centered, brain-building play interventions to achieve relational attunement, neural integration, and the development of a fully functioning sense of self will be clearly defined.
At the end of this 2 hour training, participants will be able to:
- 1. Describe Play Therapy theory and principles applicable to a child-centered model of therapy.
- 2. Recognize the tools and materials necessary to use with clients in order to provide child-centered interventions that improve neural functioning.
- 3. Utilize direct interventions designed to build up left-right brain integration, and bottom up/top down processing, leading to sensory and emotional improvement.
- 4. Observe and track therapeutic change recognizing gains from an interpersonal neurobiology and play-based perspective.
Georgie Wisen-Vincent, LMFT, RPT-S is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. Georgie completed her post-graduate work and research in Child-Centered Play Therapy in London at the University of Roehampton. She has used individual play therapy, creative arts therapy, family play therapy, trauma-focused therapy and behavior modification in her work with children and teens in clinics, schools and nonprofit settings. She is a member of the American Association for Play Therapy and the British Association of Play Therapists, and frequently provides play therapy trainings to professional groups, community clinics and universities. Georgie is currently an instructor of play therapy courses and a clinical supervisor at the Loma Linda University School of Social Work, Play Therapy Certificate Program. Georgie has a private practice at The Center for Connection in Pasadena, CA.
MAP
Inland Empire Chapter of CAMFT is a CAMFT Approved CEU Provider Agency Provider # 62278
CEU Hours: This course meets the qualifications for 2 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences
Certificates: Completion certificates will be awarded at the conclusion of the training and upon participant’s submission of his or her completed evaluation.
Refund Policy: If a participant is unable to attend and notifies IE-CAMFT 24 hours in advance of the training, full reimbursement will be sent within ten (10) working days.
Grievance: If any aspect of the training is not to the full satisfaction of any participant, please notify the coordinator, CEU committee chair, or another IE-CAMFT board member. We hope to resolve any issue immediately on-site. If not resolved, the full IE-CAMFT board will review and resolve the issue.
IE-CAMFT wishes all participants to have an excellent learning experience. Please notify the coordinator or other board member if you need special accommodations. If possible, call Garry Raley at (951) 640-5899 in advance.
