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The training was amazing. 

Wonderful training.  Great balance of content and practice, the session was extremely well facilitated 

Fantastic facilitation of course. Jacki was thorough with training content and provided ample opportunities for practice and discussion.

I got so much out of this training and wanted to thank Jacki so much for the last two days. I have been curious about Art and Play Therapy as a long term career pursuit and the last two days have only cemented that dream further.  I feel like this is a turning point for me. I feel especially confident to take these newly learned skills and apply it to my current role. Thank you so much again and I am sure my clients are also thankful!

Thank you so very much for opening my eyes to a whole new therapy!

Very informative, thorough and thought-provoking training. Good mix of theory with plenty of opportunities to practise and reflect on the strategies and techniques.

Enter into children's play and you will find the place where their minds, hearts, and souls meet.  

Virginia Axline

Course overview:

This workshop provides a practical introduction to child-led art and play therapy. Toys are children's words and play is their language. To understand and help children, we need to allow children opportunities to express themselves in their own language through art and play. This workshop will demonstrate and give you practice opportunities in child-led play therapy. Through training in expressive play methods using toys, puppets and art media, you will practise the necessary skills and gain an understanding about working therapeutically in both non-directive play therapy and directive art therapy with children. This introductory workshop provides practical, useful and interactive opportunities to start your work with children aged between 2-10. Relevant development principles and current evidence will also be reviewed. Consideration is given to the types of art and play media best suited to this age. 

You will have the opportunity to:

• Identify the theory behind child-centred play therapy
• Consider the evidence which shows this works
• Build skills in communicating and contracting with parents
• Practise person-centered empathic counselling skills
• Learn child-led art and play therapy techniques
• Consider practical ways to build your art and play therapy kit

Please note, this is a LIVE and INTERACTIVE training event. We don't record this.

Ideas explored:

• What is the difference between play and play therapy?                                  
• How do I explain play therapy to parents?                  
• How does it work as therapy?
• Does the child need to engage me in play?
• What do I tell parents about what has happened in a session?
• What if the child doesn't want to play?
• How do we know if this is working?
• When might play therapy not be useful to a child?
• What if the child wants to take toys home?
• What toys/ resources do you need for play therapy?

Training methods will include:

• Interactive presentations
• Large group discussions
• Pair and small group discussions
• DVD and live demonstration of methods
• Practical role play experiences with child-led methods in pairs
• Reflection opportunities for application of methods

Who should attend?

Psychologists, social workers, counsellors, case workers, child and family workers, pastoral workers, other allied health professionals and students who are currently working or intend to work with children aged 2-10. No artistic experience or skill is necessary.

Workshop Facilitator - Jacki Short
		Jacki Short is a highly experienced counselling psychologist, play therapist and supervisor with over 25 years’ experience in counselling, supervision, group work and training.    She has worked in a wide range of clinical settings including schools, hospitals, welfare organisations, drug and alcohol agencies and in private practice with children and young people. These years of clinical experience have built her knowledge of the active elements for support and change and have inspired Jacki’s belief in the power of imagination, positivity, play and possibilities - especially in the face of challenge.   As the owner and director of Sydney Centre for Creative Change, Jacki is passionate about supporting others to find creative ways to express, explore and resolve difficulties and to grow strengths and capacity.

Workshop Dates and Times:                                                                                      

17th - 18th March 2025, 9am - 12pm AEDT (Sydney Time)

or

19th - 20th June 2025, 1pm - 4pm AEST (Sydney Time)

or

6th - 7th November 2025, 1pm - 4pm AEDT (Sydney Time)

Attending from interstate or internationally?

You can use this time converter to check the exact day and time of this training for your location.

Workshop Details

Included in the workshop price:

• 6 CPD hours 
• 2 x 3 hour workshops 
• Comprehensive Seminar Workbook
• Link to create Certificate of Attendance
• GST

Workshop Cost

Special Price             $400

Work Paying?

Lucky you!

Send us an email requesting an invoice via the contact page with your name, the dates and name of course/courses you'd like to do and the name of your organisation who you want us to invoice and we will send you an organisational invoice and a registration form.

Recent Feedback

Highly recommend to those hoping to understand play and art therapy and practice skills.

Awesome information and practice!