Why Theraplay? Core Concepts for Attachment and Regulation in Various Settings

Per APT requirements this training will be limited to 50 attendees.  The first 50 registrants will be enrolled. 

This continuing education activity is co-sponsored by the New York Association for Play Therapy and Integrative Mental Health Counseling Services, PLLC. A total of 2 continuing education/ clock hours will be offered through Integrative Mental Health Counseling Services, PLLC. Registered Play Therapists: Integrative Counseling Services, PLLC is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to play therapy. The provider number is 06-168. The Integrative Counseling Services, PLLC maintains responsibility for the program.

Cancellation Policy

Refunds will be made ONLY if requested up to 15 days prior to the webinar and will be subject to an administrative fee of $40. NYAPT, Inc. reserves the right to cancel the conference in the event of rare, unforeseen circumstances. In the event of cancellation, registrants will be notified and will receive a full refund of registration fees. In all instances, the liability of NYAPT, Inc. is limited to the refund of registration fees only.

About the Webinar:

Theraplay® is an evidence-based modality that many have heard about but fewer have experienced. It is a play therapy theory and embodied practice that aims to develop secure attachment relationships and regulation between children and their parents/caregivers. For applications in school settings, Theraplay provides strategies that quickly build student-counselor alliances and identifies needs, goals and interventions. It provides the sensorimotor-based dyadic play experiences in which co-regulation occurs and self-regulation and resilience develop.  The Theraplay therapist considers the child’s eye contact, sensory arousal and capacity for attention, as well as interpersonal comfort with adults and peers. Always mindful of the child’s responses, Theraplay engages children in individual, family and group formats, working from the child’s identified strengths to address emotional, environmental and behavioral challenges.

Theraplay concepts and interventions will include power point, video and brief experiential activities. Following this preview, get ready for Dafna Lender’s Attachment- based Play Therapy Presentation June 5th and 6th at Marist University, Poughkeepsie, NY!

About the Presenter:

Susan Bundy-Myrow, Ph.D.,RPT-S helps children and their families build closeness, respect, and joy in their relationships. She is a Licensed Psychologist in private practice, Registered Play Therapist and Supervisor, Autism consultant, and a Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University at Buffalo, the State University of NY. She began her Theraplay training in the 1980’s, is a Trainer for the Theraplay^® Institute in Chicago, and the current President of NYAPT. Dr. Bundy-Myrow has published her work in a variety of professional books and developed a model for Multiple Family Group Theraplay® for children with Autism. Together with her husband, David Myrow, Ph.D., she has helped to bring Theraplay to professionals around the world.

Objectives: 

At the end of the training, 

1. participants will be able to discuss how Theraplay’s parent-child interactional play promotes a secure attachment relationship and increased self-regulation.
2. participants will be able to identify the Theraplay applications in various settings.
3. participants will be able to describe  the range of clients Theraplay serves and presenting concerns.

Resources:

Bundy-Myrow, S. (2023). Theraplay for families and children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Connecting and regulating. In A.R. Coleman & R. Hong (Eds.), Integrative Theraplay Approach for Children on the Autism Spectrum: Practical Guidelines for Professionals. (pp. 161-178). Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Bundy-Myrow, S & Booth, P.B. (2009). Theraplay: Supporting attachment relationships. In K.J. O’Connor & L.D. Braverman (Eds.), Play Therapy Theory and Practice: Comparing Theories and Techniques (2nd. ed., pp. 315-366). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Eruyar, S., & Vostanis, P. (2020). Feasibility of Group Theraplay with refugee children in Turkey. Counseling & Psychotherapy Research, 20(3), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12354

Norris, V. & Lender, D. (2020). Theraplay: The practitioner’s guide. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Salo, S., Flykt, M., Mäkelä, J., Lassenius-Panula, L., Korja, R., Lindaman, S., & Punamäki, R. (2020). The impact of Theraplay® therapy on parent-child interaction and child Psychiatric symptoms: A pilot study. International Journal of Play, 9(3), 331-352. https://doi:10.1080/21594937.2020.1806500

Smithee, L.C., Krizova, K., Guest, J.D., & Pease, J.C. (2021). Theraplay as a Family Treatment for Mother Anxiety and Child Anxiety. International Journal of Play Therapy, 30(3), 206-218. https://doi.org/10.1037/pla0000153