√.. fantastic hands-on skills that I can implement with children 

√..This course is about learning real skills not just theory.

√..Fantastic course and approach to delivering an introduction into this subject. It was just the right amount of information to get a taster, without feeling bored or overwhelmed.

Creative Therapy for Children with Trauma 

One of the phrases I always use with kids is “You can tell me, or you can show me in whatever way you want.”

Eliana Gil

Course overview:

Improve your knowledge of and skill in working creatively with traumatised children and young people (including those with a sexual assault history). Consider art and play therapy case studies and practice suitable methods and tools to work safely, respectfully and effectively with children who have been affected by traumatic events.

This two half-day online workshop introduces you to approaches and applications of art and play interventions with children and young people who have been affected by trauma. The key advantage with art and play therapies is that, used respectfully, children and young people can express images, thoughts, events and feelings that might otherwise be difficult to express. The externalising that this media fosters, allows a way of distancing from distress, a safer means of telling and an avenue for reclaiming power.

This workshop will provide valuable tools and processes for clinicians who work with young clients and who wish to enhance their ways to overcome trauma in creative and evidence-based ways. We will also discuss the effects of trauma, brain development implications and do's and don'ts in trauma work, especially when using creative materials. 

You will have the opportunity to:

• Identify types and prevalence of trauma in children and young people
• Review appropriate art and play based methods of intervention
• Understand the theory informing this work (including Play Therapy, Gestalt, Humanist and Strength-Based Approaches)
• Consider the evidence
• See theory applied to case studies
• Experience the therapeutic uses of creative interventions
• Practice assessment skills and consider creative intervention skills
• Learn in the safety and support of a small group environment

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

What ideas are explored:

• What are the different types of trauma?
• How common is trauma in children and young people?
• How can trauma be assessed?
• What does the evidence suggest works in managing trauma?
• What art and play interventions work in managing trauma?
• What art and play interventions work are appropriate in managing the effects of child sexual assault?
• How do we know if what we are doing is working?
• Does it work for all ages and types of trauma?
• When might this form of therapy not be useful?
• How can I involve parents?
• What are the basic sorts of resources I need?

Training methods will include:

• Interactive presentations
• Case study review
• Large and small group discussions
• Live demonstration of methods
• DVD demonstration of methods
• Reflection opportunities for application of methods

In Preparation:

• Have paper, some coloured textas, pencils, pens and or crayons or oil pastels.
• Have a collection of toys and craft materials if can access these (For example: puppets, soft toys, dolls, plastic swords, dress up clothes and jewellry, doll house, cars, trucks, play food, toy construction materials, magic wand, play medical kit, toy animals/families, scary masks – whatever you have handy)

Who Should Attend?

All mental health professionals working with children. Psychologists, social workers, counsellors, case workers, child and family counsellors, child protection workers, mental health and pastoral workers, other allied health professionals and students of these disciplines. 

Workshop Dates and Times

20th-21st May 2024, 1pm - 4pm AEST Sydney Time

or

29th-29th November 2024, 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.

Facilitator

Jacki Short - Registered Counselling Psychologist and Play Therapist and Supervisor

Workshop Details

Included in the workshop price:

• 6 CPD points/hours 
• Comprehensive Seminar Workbook
• Link to create Certificate of Attendance
• GST

Workshop Cost

Special Price        $350

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.

Approved ACA Event for 10 points

What people are saying about this course...

√.. lots of opportunity for active participation and opportunities to practice new skills, with supervision, and help when required. I would strongly recommend this workshop to others.

√..a good introduction to play therapy for children affected by trauma. It provided me with an opportunity to develop a range of play therapy techniques.

√...activities were hands-on and engaging and pitched at a good level. The learning environment was friendly and supportive.

√..very informative. It has given me some practical ideas to use with kids. I'm feeling more confident in providing valuable resources/ support to these children within a non-directive art/play therapy approach.

√...great workshop for teaching of practical skills and activities with children who have experienced trauma.

√... excellent - constructive and well facilitated. I found the workshop provided practical guidelines for the application of the theory discussed. Thank you so much for the experience it was awesome!

√....interactive, useful, educational , fun and eye-opening. Loved the workshop. Thank you for all the ideas and resources for art, movement and play therapy activities.

√...evidence-based which is really important. Had a good mix of theory and practice and was fun and at a good pace.

√...informative, helpful, fun, interesting, challenging.

√...It reinforced things I know and use and also encouraged me to try different techniques with traumatised children. It was a good balance between information and experiential learning.

√...Inspiring, creative, welcoming and highly educational.