Addressing Developmental Trauma in Play Therapy – October 31, 2025 – Live/Virtual

This play therapy training is offered Live In-Person (3-Contact CE’s) and Virtual via Zoom (3- Live-Webinar CE’s).

Play therapy can include working with children with perplexing symptoms that do not fit into diagnostic boxes including psychotic features. Diagnoses with these children may vary between ODD, DMDD, IED, and bipolar disorder by different play therapy providers and mental health professionals. This training addresses identifying and assessing developmental trauma in play therapy that may be unconscious to a child. Play therapy skills of building rapport with “difficult” clients and evidence-based stabilization skills for fight, flight, and freeze responses will be taught along with the role of the therapist as the client reintegrates back into the present. This training also includes a journal article on developmental trauma for participants in the on-demand version of the training.

Learning Objectives:
1. Explain how to identify and assess for developmental trauma in play therapy sessions and parent sessions
2. Discuss the importance of play therapy stabilization work before processing developmental trauma in the playroom
3. Explain how play therapy reintegration occurs through the child’s journey towards healing and your role as a play therapist in this phase of treatment

NIK JOHNSON, M.S.
LPC, RPT, EMDR CONSULTANT
Nik has been a private practice counselor at the Center for Counseling and Family Relationships since 2017. He works with children aged (4+), adolescents, and adults, specializing in complex trauma, dissociative disorders, and play therapy. Previously Nik worked at an agency in Missouri providing play therapy to children in the foster care system. He offers continuing education to professionals especially within the topics of working with developmental trauma, dissociative disorders, and play therapy.

Cancellation and Refund Policy:
This training is non-refundable, unless cancelled by training provider. Event will be cancelled if fewer than 5 participants.