About this Event
Day 1: Friday, February 5, 2027 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Best Practices for Parent Consultations: Developing Confidence and Preparing for Effective Meetings
Play therapists often state that involving parents is one of the most challenging aspects of their work (Ray, 2011). Through this workshop, attendees will review best practices for parent consultations in play therapy, review preparation activities to prepare for effective intakes and subsequent parent consultations, and complete activities to develop their confidence with parent meetings, address implicit biases, and collaborate with parents effectively.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
- Discuss relevant research related to parent consultations in play therapy.
- Discuss why it is difficult to work with parents in play therapy.
- Outline best practices for play therapy parent consultations according to research.
- Utilize proposed documentation model for preparing for play therapy parent consultations.
- Evaluate implicit biases and personal characteristics that may make working with parents difficult in play therapy and will develop empathy for parents and caregivers.
- Collaborate with parents in setting and clarifying effective play therapy goals with their theoretical orientation and cultural sensitivity in mind.
Continental Breakfast and Lunch included.
This program offers 6.00 contact hours each day with full attendance required.
Intermediate Level | Play Therapy Skills and Methods
Day 2: Saturday, February 6, 2027 | 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
So You're Just Playing? Communicating Progress to Parents Using Play Themes in CCPT
Parents often ask, "so are you just playing in there?" This presentation helps Child Centered Play Therapists communicate progress by identifying and explaining play themes in ways parents can understand. Participants will learn practical strategies to identify play themes, conceptualize their clients, prepare for parent meetings, and effectively and confidently articulate progress to caregivers.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
- Demonstrate increased confidence in understanding and communicating therapeutic progress in play therapy with parents using play themes.
- Explain the theory of change through child-centered play therapy and will be able to coherently and effectively discuss this change process to parents.
- Identify, articulate, and distinguish between play themes that emerge in child-centered play therapy.
- Explain how to identify play themes through many examples of common play behaviors using repetition, context, and intensity using case studies.
- Utilize play themes to create clear and coherent case conceptualizations about their play therapy cases.
- Analyze play behaviors and case conceptualizations into communication of progress for parent consultations and will be able to prepare effectively for parent meetings.
Continental Breakfast and Lunch included.
This program offers 6.00 contact hours each day with full attendance required. For complete information on CE credit, see our website at: www.vaptplay.org
Intermediate Level | Play Therapy Skills and Methods
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Hotels nearby: The Westin Richmond
Courtyard Richmond West
Courtyard by Marriott Richmond West
Hampton Inn & Suites Richmond/Glenside
Residence Inn by Marriott Richmond West End
Schedule Each Day
Registration and Continental Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.
Presentation : 9:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. (includes break)
Lunch: 12:15 p.m. - 1:15 p.m.
Presentation: 1:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. (includes break)
HANDOUTS: In an effort to reduce paper waste and be more “green,” our policy is to email all handouts. Please include a valid email address with your registration to receive the handouts.
PHOTO RELEASE: By registering for this conference, you are giving permission for VAPT to use any photographs that are taken at the event containing your likeness for as long as VAPT deems appropriate and desirable. Photographs may be used on the VAPT website, social media pages, and/or newsletter for any purpose. By completing the registration, you are also consenting to waive any rights to the photographs indefinitely. If you do not wish to have your photo used, it is your responsibility to notify VAPT of your request to be omitted.
CANCELLATION POLICY: All cancellations must be requested in writing and received no later than January 15, 2027. Cancellations are subject to $50 processing fee. Substitutions - allowing someone else to take your spot - may be made in writing for no additional cost. Contact [email protected] for substitutions to your registration. No refunds are given due to inclement weather. No refunds after January 16, 2027.
The views expressed by our speakers do not necessarily reflect those of the Virginia Association for Play Therapy.
CONTINUING EDUCATION: This program is co-sponsored by the Virginia Association for Play Therapy and The Institute for Continuing Education. The program on February 5-6, 2027 offers a total of 12.00 CE hours (6.00 hrs. per day). Full daily attendance is required to receive continuing education credit. The CE processing fee is $35.00 (includes both days), payable with the return of completed CE documents. . CE application forms and other materials will be available in digital format and also in paper format on site. If you have questions regarding the program, continuing education, learning objectives, faculty, or grievance issues, contact The Institute at: email: [email protected]
NOTE: To receive continuing education credit, applicants must complete all CE materials, sign in/out at designated locations, and submit an evaluation form for the sessions attended.
NOTE: It is the responsibility of the attendee to determine if CE credit offered by The Institute for Continuing Education meets the regulations of their state licensing/certification board.
Psychology: The Institute for Continuing Education is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The Institute for Continuing Education maintains responsibility or this program and its content.
Counseling / MFT: For counselors seeking CE credit, The Institute for Continuing Education will submit a co-sponsorship application to NBCC for this program. This website will be updated regarding accreditation by NBCC.
Social Work: TApplication for social work continuing education credits has been submitted to NASW-MA CE Approving Program. This website will be updated regarding accreditation.
Play Therapy: The Institute for Continuing Education is approved by The Association for Play Therapy to sponsor continuing education specific to play therapy. The Institute maintains responsibility for the program. APT Approved Provider 98-040.
Non-Credit Events: Registration, lunch, reception events, committee/business meetings, networking sessions.
Skills Level: Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced.
Instructional Methodology: May include lecture, demonstration, audio/visual, experiential practice of techniques, case examples, large and small group discussion.
Ahou Vaziri Line, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S™, CSC, CCPT-S, NCC is a mental health therapist, author, speaker, and former graduate professor. Ahou is the founder of Parent Partnership Consulting and co-founder of Thread Counseling Group, a private therapy practice in Dallas. Ahou began her career as a 7th and 8th grade teacher before returning to school to earn her Master of Science in Counseling from SMU and then continuing her education at The University of North Texas where she earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education in 2023. After graduating, Ahou held a role as a faculty position at UNT, then co-founded her private practice and founded her consulting firm. In her time in academia, Ahou has authored several peer reviewed journal articles as well as book chapters educating counselors on working with parents and the multicultural implications of play therapy. Most recently, Ahou published her first textbook with Routledge and authors a popular parenting blog series on Psychology Today.
Ahou is an international speaker, invited to present at local, national, and international conferences, as well as at schools, parent events, and corporate settings. Ahou is passionate about helping organizations and professionals create more parent-inclusive practices that lead to real, lasting change for children and families.
Event venue & nearby stays
University of Richmond Jepson Alumni Center, 442 Westhampton Way, Richmond, United States
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