2025 Colorado APT Spring Conference

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This ticket is available to current members of the Colorado Association for Play Therapy (CAPT) To enjoy the member rate, be sure your membership is active. The CAPT board will be monitoring membership status of the registrants and may ask for proof of active membership.

This ticket is available to current students enrolled in programs related to psychology, counseling, social work, or other therapeutic fields. THE CAPT board will be monitoring and may ask for proof of enrolment.

Time's ticking! Get an extra 10% off when you sign up by March 25th. This special early bird rate won't last forever, so grab it while you can! Don’t wait—secure your spot and save big before prices go up.

Sign up today and lock in your discount!

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On Saturday, we’re excited to host a special Member’s Lunch, generously provided by CAPT. This will be a fantastic opportunity to connect and celebrate our 30th Anniversary, and reflect on the incredible journey we've had together. Plus, every member will receive a special gift—but you'll have to be there to find out what it is! If you have any dietary restrictions, please let us know in advance by emailing us at [email protected] and we'll be happy to accommodate.

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1. Apply Your Discount Code (If applicable): If you're a student, use the code STUDENTSRULE, or if you're a CAPT member, use MEMBERSUNITE to receive your discount.
2. Choose Your Ticket: Select from the available predetermined combination ticket types: Keynote, All-Day Workshop, AM Workshop, or PM Workshop.
3. Add Member’s Lunch (If applicable): If you're a CAPT member, be sure to add the Member’s Lunch to your registration at the bottom of the page so we can accurately plan for the event.
4. Select Your Workshop: On the order form, choose the workshop session you’d like to attend and answer any additional questions.
5. Complete Your Payment: Finalize your order and pay for your ticket. You will receive a confirmation email once your registration is complete.

It’s that simple—register now to secure your spot!

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Parking for participants will be paid directly to CSU on Friday. You can choose to pay ahead of time to reserve your parking spot for $9, or you can pay on the day of the event. This offer is only available at Moby Lot.

Important: This offer is valid only on Friday—on Saturday, parking is free for all attendees, with no payment or QR code required.

To pay ahead of time, click here: Pay for parking.

Participants can reserve their rooms at the Hilton Fort Collins, located at 425 W Prospect Rd, Fort Collins, CO 80256. To secure your room, please make your reservation online. Rooms are limited, so we encourage booking early to guarantee availability.

Hilton Fort Collins
425 W. Prospect Rd
Fort Collins, CO 8052

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Dr. Vander Dussen has extensive experience as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. She has been serving individuals and families in treatment since 1996 and has been a licensed clinician since 2001. She has had advanced training in a number of modalities. She is a Registered Play Therapist and Supervisor, certified Level I clinician in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeuticsby the Child Trauma Academy, and is certified in EMDR.She has been trained in mindfulness, the ALERT program, Floortime, multiple play therapy approaches,and adolescent psychotherapy. Dr. Vander Dussen holds certificates in Infant and Toddler Mental Health and Play Therapy.

Dr. Vander Dussen holds four degrees, receiving her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 1999 from the California School of Professional Psychology Los Angeles, her Masters degree in Clinical Psychology from the same school in 1997, and two bachelors degrees from CSUF. Her Bachelor of Science is in Human Servicesand her Bachelor of Arts is in Psychology. At CSUF shewas the recipient of the Donald R. Bakker Award for Academic Success and Community Leadership. Inaddition to her practice Dr. Vander Dussen is a full professor with an APA accredited doctoral clinical psychology program at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in Anaheim. There she is responsible for coordinating the Child and Adolescent Psychology Concentration.

Dr. Vander Dussen is also on faculty with the UCSD Play Therapy Extension Program and has served inleadership capacities for the California Association of Play Therapy and the Association for Play Therapy. At present she serves as a member of the Board ofDirectors for the Association for Play Therapy. She is a past president of the California Association of Play Therapy and has served as both the Education Committee and Conference Committee Chair for the larger Association for Play Therapy.

In this workshop participants will be introduced to the identification of sensory integration dysfunction, sensory processingdisorder, and disorders of self regulation in children. Participants will also be exposed to play therapy materials and interventions to utilize in play therapy with children.

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This presentation is designed to provide a deep, comprehensive understanding of the history, theory, and healing potential of play therapy for child therapists. By exploring its evolution and its transformative effects on children, therapists will leave inspired and equipped to integrate these powerful techniques into their work.

This workshop explores the integration of technology in play therapy, focusing on practical applications, ethical considerations, and hands-on experiences. Participants will learn to apply specific interventions using video games, virtual reality, and media, while also developing strategies to enhance client engagement and therapeutic outcomes through experiential learning with VR headsets and games.

This presentation introduces participants to basic theories and skills of Play Therapy Supervision. The presentation aims to make Play Therapy Supervision unscary and doable. Participants will learn methods and skills of assessment and development of supervisee competency and learning. Training will include practice resources and discussion of case examples.

For over 75 years, superheroes like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman have had a profound impact on popular culture. Regardless of their exposure to comic books, children are readily able to identify these three heroes. Their rich history, laden with therapeutic metaphors, can be utilized to engage children, particularly children suffering from trauma and loss, in the play therapy process. This workshop seeks to familiarize clinicians with their history and facilitate the integration of super hero play into your play therapy practice.

There has been a huge paradigm shift in the diagnostic criteria and treatment of neurodivergent individuals even just in the last 5 years (but definitely since your presenters found themselves in grad school)! Come join us for an advanced discussion group aimed at improving both individual client work and parent coaching with clients on the autism spectrum and with executive function challenges. We will look at what needs to be updated in our play therapy skills and conceptualization techniques across therapeutic modalities as we work to be better providers to these twice exceptional children & adolescents.

Discover the profound impact of nonverbal communication in play therapy and beyond. This workshop explores how silence, facial expressions, body language, and noises create therapeutic connections, particularly with children facing language challenges such as selective mutism and developmental delays. Learn how nonverbal play therapy fosters emotional expression, empowers therapists, and bridges communication gaps with all clients—without saying a word. Whether working with preverbal children, exploring age regression, or supporting supervisees, this session redefines the power of quiet in effective therapy.

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This three-hour training empowers therapists and enhances multicultural competencies in Play Therapy to support clients that identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer, and all other Rainbow Identifies. Grounded in Integrative and Ecosystemic Play Therapy theory, it explores interventions and skills necessary to build an inclusive Play Therapy treatment plan and space.

Play therapists often encounter challenges when their work intersects with the legal system, navigating unfamiliar territory that can feel overwhelming without proper guidance. Playing by the Rules: Navigating Legal Processes for Play Therapists addresses this critical gap, equipping therapists with the knowledge and confidence needed to engage with legal processes effectively. This session empowers participants to advocate for their clients within the legal system, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met, all while upholding ethical and legal responsibilities.

For EMDR Trained Therapists: Advanced applications for Attachment healing and EMDR Preparation. Attachment Resource Development is an essential preparation step for EMDR trauma processing.

S10: The Playful Path to Healing: Trauma, Development, and Play Therapy | Intermediate | 3CEs
Ana Guzmán, M.S., LPC-S, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™
Lauren Copenhaver M.S., LPC-S, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™

This workshop will delve into the intricate relationship between trauma, development, and the mind-body connection, with a focus on play therapy as a powerful tool for healing. We'll explore how traumatic experiences can affect the developing brain, nervous system, and body, and discuss practical play-based strategies for promoting regulation, resilience, and healing in children and their families.

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This scholarship opportunity is open to applicants who identify with diverse ethnic or racial backgrounds. This scholarship will cover the registration cost for one day attendance (up to 6 CEUs) at a CAPT sponsored conference.

Applications for the 2025 Spring conference are due by 5:00pm MST, March 17th, 2025. CAPT will review all fully completed and on time applications. Applications will then be de-identified and randomly chosen. Recipients will be notified by email by March 19th, 2024. Please reply as soon as possible, to confirm acceptance. Since the timeline for this scholarship is right at the early bird discount deadline (March 25th)- If you are not selected for this scholarship and would still like to sign up for the conference- or if you'd like to add day 2 - we will send you a discount code so you can utilize the early registration discount.

This scholarship cycle will be for the Spring 2025 conference - but we'll be opening scholarships back up for each upcoming conference!

APPLY HERE!

The Kite Award is an annual honor presented by the Colorado Association for Play Therapy (CAPT) to individuals or organizations that have made exceptional contributions to the field of play therapy in Colorado. The award recognizes outstanding dedication to promoting play therapy, advancing the professional development of practitioners, and improving the lives of children and families through therapeutic play.

Recipients of the Kite Award are selected based on their significant impact on the field, including efforts to innovate, educate, and elevate the practice of play therapy in diverse settings. The award highlights those who have demonstrated a commitment to furthering the reach and effectiveness of play therapy and who have positively influenced the community of play therapists.

The Kite Award is presented at CAPT’s Annual Spring Conference, and nominations for the award are invited from CAPT members. The nomination process provides an opportunity to recognize those whose work has had a lasting impact on both the field of play therapy and the lives of the individuals it serves.

NOMINATE HERE!

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• No audio or videotaping is permitted.
• Handicapped parking and access is available.
• You must be a member before 03/31/25 to receive member rate
• *APT offers an annual membership, renewable every 12 months, and honors a dual membership system, which ensures all individuals living within a chartered branch territory are members of both APT and their respective branches.
• Join APT and the Colorado branch (CAPT) by going to http://www.a4pt.org/?page=Membership
• To receive CE credit, attendees must complete CE materials, sign in/out daily, and complete an evaluation of sessions attended.

CAPT is a chartered branch of the Association for Play Therapy. The Colorado Association for Play Therapy is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer Continuing Education

Play therapy credit is only awarded to mental health professionals

APT Approved Provider 99-049

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Eligibility Policy The Annual Spring Conference is open to mental health professionals or full-time graduate students in a mental health field. Although not eligible to receive continuing education credit, allied professionals (pediatricians, nurses, etc.) are welcome to attend. Due to the nature of the topics presented and to ensure the best experience for all attendees, children of any age are not permitted in conference workshops or venues for the duration of the event. CAPT has the right to refuse or cancel ineligible registrations at any time and shall not be held accountable for any outside fees associated with this cancellation. If you have any specific questions regarding your eligibility status, please contact [email protected].

• Registration cancellations must be submitted to CAPT in writing via email by April 18, 2025.
• Registrations may be transferred to another person without penalty only if original registrant notifies APT in writing by April 10, 2025.
• CAPT reserves the right to cancel this conference in the event of unforeseen circumstances. If such occurs, CAPT will attempt to notify registrants at least 10 calendar days prior to the conference and refund all registration, workshop, continuing education, and tour fees. In all instances, the liability of CAPT is limited to refunding such fees.

• Registration and participation in CAPT workshops and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to the use and distribution (both now and in the future) of the registrant or attendee’s image or voice in photographs, videos, electronic reproductions, and audiotapes of such events and activities by CAPT.
• The Annual Spring Conference is sponsored by CAPT for educational purposes only. The material presented is not intended to represent the only or best approaches to the topics being discussed and participants waive any claim they may have against CAPT for assurance on information presented.

Professional conduct by attendees is expected while attending the CAPT conference and during sponsored events. Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to:

• Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form.
• Physical or verbal abuse of any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, CAPT staff member, service provider, or other conference guest. Examples include, but are not limited to, verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations, or threatening or stalking any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, APT staff member, service provider, or other conference guest.
• Disruption of presentations during sessions, in the exhibit hall, or at other events organized by APT at the meeting venue, or other APTcontracted facilities. •
• Presentations, postings, and messages should not contain promotional materials, special offers, job offers, product announcements, or solicitation for services. CAPT reserves the right to remove such messages and potentially ban sources of those solicitations.
• CAPT has zero-tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment, including but not limited to sexual harassment by participants or our staff at our meetings. If you experience harassment or hear of any incidents of unacceptable behavior, CAPT asks that you inform CAPT Board members, at [email protected] so that we may take the appropriate action. CAPT reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the conference without warning or refund, in response to any incident of unacceptable behavior, and CAPT reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future conference.
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Lory Student Center @ Colorado State University, Lory Student Center, Fort Collins, United States