Play is described as the child’s world of “make-believe,” a safe
place to work through inner conflicts, where toys are used as tools.  
For the therapist, it is one of the best places to learn about the
child’s inner thoughts, personality, worries and wishes.  Children don’t always know how to
express their fears in words, which is why it is important to communicate with the child in his or
her language.  It has been said that play is the language of the child.  Play helps children
communicate their feelings and make them verbal, so they can understand our language: words.  
Through play, the child cures himself or herself.
The goal of this seminar is to help mental health professionals, school counselors and other
professionals enhance their skills and become comfortable using play therapy in their work with
children facing a wide range of psychological problems. The course covers not just some of the
how-to of Play Therapy but will help you gain an understanding of the theory of Play Therapy and
the relationship of theory to practice. It will teach you a way to “think.”

Theory of Play, Play Therapy and Children
    Theory of Play
    Theory of Play Therapy
    Developmental Stages of Children
    Theories’ Relationship to Technique

Intake Session & Initial Meeting
    Family                        Toys
    Individual                   Toy Room

First Session & Role of Parent, Child, Therapist and Toys
         
Play Therapy Techniques
 Ball                           Blanket                 Cards                        Popcorn Walk         
 Barbie / GI Joe       Candyland           Clay                            Puppets, Mr. Frog         
 Dollhouse              Markers                 Phone                       Sand

Case Presentations
    By Participant
    By Presenter

Types of Childhood Disorders
 ADHD                           Bipolar                 Enuresis           Foster Children         
 Depression                 Oppositional      Encopresis       Biting         
 Obsessive-Compulsive                         Sexually Abused




Upon completing this seminar, participants will be able to:
  1. Recognize the Theory of Play and 5 Play Therapy Theories and identify how they apply to different client populations.
  2. Demonstrate the application of Play and Play Therapy to 10 Play Therapy techniques and
    10 different client populations.
  3. Integrate developmental stages of children into Play and Play Therapy theories
  4. Evaluate the relationship of Play Therapy techniques to developmental stages of children
  5. Identify critical components in an intake session and first session
  6. Integrate family and individual therapy theories with useful interviewing techniques
Seminar Questions ??
Email us at seminars@kids-incorporated.com or call  (402) 330-4014 ext. 705
11414 West Center Road, Suite 220
Omaha, NE  68144
(402) 330-4014
(402) 334-2930 fax

7270 West 98th Terrace, Suite 105
Overland Park, KS  66212
(913) 323-6550
Kids Inc.
Continuing Education Seminars
Working with Children:
The Theory and Practice of Play Therapy
Presented by Allan M. Gonsher, LSCSW, RPT-S
Serving Children and Families in the greater Omaha area including Bellevue, Gretna, Council Bluffs, Papillion, LaVista, and Fremont;
in the Overland Park - Johnson County, Kansas  area including Olathe, Lenexa, Leawood, Shawnee and Kansas City Kansas;
and in the Kansas City, Missouri area including Independence, Blue Springs, and Lee's Summit.
Copyright 2011 Kids Inc.