Description

Therapy with adolescents requires flexible, developmentally appropriate play therapy approaches that address presenting concerns while building strong therapeutic rapport. This is an experiential and informative training designed to equip play therapists with practical skills for working effectively with teen clients in the play therapy room. This training will guide play therapists in assessing a teen’s readiness for therapy and determining appropriate levels of parent or caregiver involvement. Emphasizing creative interventions and a strengths-based perspective, participants will learn how to integrate their preferred therapeutic modalities to develop innovative play therapy approaches tailored to adolescents. Play therapists will also reflect on challenges they’ve encountered in building and maintaining therapeutic relationship with teens, identifying factors that may hinder progress. Through experiential learning, participants will gain creative tools to enhance rapport, support self-esteem, navigate social relationship, and support the family with adolescent clients. 

Cost

$105.00

Learning Objectives

1. Describe key developmental considerations when working with adolescent clients in play therapy.

2. Identify common challenges and barriers that impact the therapeutic relationship when working as a play therapist with teens.  

3. Assess a teen’s readiness for therapy and determine appropriate levels of parent or caregiver involvement.  

4. Demonstrate two creative play therapy interventions to build rapport and increase engagement with adolescent clients.  

5. Apply four strength-based strategies to support teens in addressing self-esteem, social connections, and family connection.  

6. Integrate creative play therapy interventions with their existing therapeutic approaches when working with teens.  

Cristina Alvarez

LPC, EMDR Trained, 
Internationally Credentialed Sandtray Therapist

Cristina Alvarez joined the Center for Counseling and Family Relationships in 2018. She earned her Master’s of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Cristina became Licensed as a Professional Counselor in 2018. Cristina is EMDR Trained and is an Internationally Credentialed Sandtray Therapist. Her background includes counseling in a private university setting where she helped college students cope and adapt with life transitions and as a crisis counselor for children in schools.