Come prepared to learn and PLAY!

This workshop is designed for the beginner as well as the advanced play therapist, school counselor, social worker and anyone who works with children in the mental health field. Participants will gain knowledge of play therapy, specifically play therapy with children and their families, navigating the uniqueness of grief and strategies for implementing play therapy with this population.  Participants will learn techniques they can use with children and families immediately.

PRESENTER

Kate Weir, Ed.S., M.Ed., LPC-S, Registered Play Therapist

Kate Weir has 13 years of experience working in the counseling profession with children, teens, young adults and families. Kate received bother the Master’s and Educational Specialist degrees from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her Master’s degree is in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Community Agency Counseling. Kate is certified as a Licensed Professional Counselor- Supervisor (LPC) and a Professional School Counselor (grades K-12), is a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) and is approved by the state of Missouri as a licensure supervisor for counselors-in-training and provisionally licensed professional counselors in the State of Missouri.

Kate began her counseling career in Wilmington, NC at a family counseling agency. As part of her role at the counseling agency, Kate worked with local school counselors to develop and carry out solution-focused anger management programs at both the elementary and high school levels. Kate spent several years as a professional school counselor at both elementary and secondary levels. With much school experience, Kate is well-equipped to help children and parents with school-based issues such as bullying, social development, academic performance, ADHD, and behavioral issues. Currently, Kate practices privately in Columbia, MO. In her private practice, Kate provides individual therapy for children, teens, and young adults. She also provides parent and school consultation and works closely with families. Kate enjoys helping children, teens and families who are navigating divorces, separations, and other family changes. She helps individuals and families learn to cope positively with anxiety, anger, depression, grief, and other social-emotional or behavioral issues. Kate works with children as young as three-years-old and also works with individuals into their twenties. As a play therapist, Kate is passionate about helping her young clients to heal and grow through play. She loves using creative, playful and expressive techniques with her pre-teen and teenage clients as well. Kate also enjoys consulting with parents about child-parent relationships and child development. Kate is an instructor with Heartland Play, a play therapy training institutes and has also given presentations and conducted workshops for the Missouri Association for Play Therapy and other organizations. Kate is a member of the American Counseling Association and she is a Past President of the Missouri Association for Play Therapy. She is passionate about and dedicated to obtaining continuing professional development, education, and peer supervision in order to continue to grow as a professional.

Kate cherishes family time with her fun and loving three-year-old son, her amazing husband and her sweet beagle. Kate loves being an aunt and a sister. She enjoys dancing, swimming, traveling, reading, learning and of course, playing!

CEUs  6

COST

Early Bird Member (purchased before April 7th): $110

Early Bird Non Member (purchased before April 7th): $130

Student: $90 *with transcript

Member: $125

Non Member: $145

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

1. Provide developmental considerations for children’s understanding of grief within the context of play therapy.
2. Provide cultural and religious considerations for children’s understanding of grief within the context of play therapy.
3. Provide techniques and tips for communicating with children about death from a developmental perspective within the context of play therapy.
4. Define the difference between complicated and uncomplicated grief and how to support both types of grief through play therapy, including risk factors that make children more vulnerable to experiencing complicated grief.
5. Provide an overview of the stages of grief and how these stage are often expressed and resolved through play therapy.
6. Provide play therapy interventions to engage and assess children who are grieving.
7. Provide tips and suggestions for creating a play therapy treatment plan for grief.
8. Provide an overview of grief/death/dying themes that are often expressed in play therapy and how to facilitate the resolution and healthy expression of these themes in child-centered play therapy.
9. Present participants with directive play therapy interventions intended to support various stages of the grieving process.
10. Discuss engagement of parents and families in the play therapy process when dealing with grief.
11. Discuss termination of play therapy when working with children who are grieving.

AGENDA

8:30-9am               Registration

9-10:30am              Introduction and Workshop Beginning

10:30-10:45am      Morning Break

10:45am-12pm      Workshop Continued

12-1pm                     Lunch/Board Meeting- all are welcome to attend!

1-2:30pm                 Workshop Continued

2:30-2:45pm           Afternoon Break

2:45-3:45pm          Workshop Continued

3:45-4pm                Wrap up and Evaluations

DESCRIPTION

Navigating the grieving process can be complicated, overwhelming and schema-challenging for children. Children experience universal themes during the grieving process as well as unique individual experiences. This workshop will provide therapists with the knowledge, skills and tools that therapists need to feel well-equipped in helping children to deal with grief in play therapy.

CANCELLATION POLICY

Refunds will be given for paid continuing education training cancelled by MAPT and for when MAPT relocates training to another region of the state. For attendees who cancel 48 hours prior to the start of the training, a MAPT CREDIT  will be provided to attendees for the amount paid, and can be used at a future MAPT training.

APT Provider Number: 08-223