Zooming with Kids: Helping Kids Heal Via Telehealth and Beyond

Presented by

Susan Kelsey Weissenborn, LMFT

Two-Hour Training on February 13, 2021 9:30 a.m. to 12 Noon

Dean Bender, ZOOM presentation host, will send a link to join prior to date of presentation. Watch for this.

Instructor Information:
Susan Kelsey Weissenborn is an LMFT as well as a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. She has been practicing exclusively with children from toddlers through teens for 20+ years. Susan has been featured in numerous parenting magazines, is the author of “Therapy Has Gone to the Dogs,” and has trained over 1,000 therapists on various topics regarding the quality treatment of children.

Description of Presentation:
The current pandemic has challenged all therapists who treat children to adapt their practice to online platforms. It is generally recognized in the graduate training of mental health professionals that not enough emphasis is placed on treating children (even though therapy students and associates are most often placed with this population). This experiential workshop provides an introduction to working with children remotely and eventually in person post-pandemic.

Play Therapy is a structured, theoretically based approach to therapy that builds on the normal communicative and learning processes of children (Carmichael, 2006; Landreth, 2002; O’Connor & Schaefer, 1983). Play Therapists strategically utilize play therapy to help children express what is troubling them when they do not have the verbal language to express their thoughts and feelings (Gil, 1991). It is an effective method, in the office or via telehealth platforms, for creating the therapeutic relationships and emotional engagement necessary to allow a child to heal from traumatic experiences. It allows a safe, fun way for children to express feelings and confront overwhelming experiences in their lives. Play Therapy strategies are developmentally-based theoretical models that engage children in the process of healing. Directive and non-directive play strategies will be introduced.

Educational Goals:
Appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed therapists who already treat children or would like to include them in their practice, this workshop will:

1. Examine play and its usefulness in therapy with children;
2. Explore what a child’s play can reveal about their struggles;
3. Discuss the various types of play therapy offer some play therapy interventions to try which are appropriate for children & adolescents;
4. Review case studies.

Measurable Objectives:
After participating in this workshop, attendees will be able to:

1. Identify 3 differences between treating children and adults
2. Explain the difference between therapeutic play and regular play;
3. List the 4 messages in children’s play.
4. Administer at least 5 play therapy interventions that can be used in telehealth or office practice.

Course Training Level:
This is appropriate for all levels.

Award of Course Completion Certificates:
Upon completion of course, attendees will receive a Certificate for 2 CEUs or a Certificate for 2 Attendance Hours after completing a course evaluation.

Cost:

Member of any CAMFT Chapter
Licensed:   $25
Pre-licensed:    $15

Not a member of any CAMFT Chapter
Licensed:   $35
Pre-licensed:    $15

Refund Policy:
Early registration closes on Tuesday, February 9, 2021, at 6 p.m. Refunds may be provided prior to the close of registration, minus a $5 registration refund fee. No refunds are available after the close of registration. No partial credit is given for arriving late or leaving early.

Accommodation for disability and for addressing grievances:
Contact use this link to Dianne Murden at diannemurde@yahoo.com or call/text 530 305 2066.

Sierra Foothills CAMFT is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, and LEP as well as non-licensed AMFT, ASW, APCC, graduate students and trainees. This course meets the qualifications for 2 hours of continuing education credit for LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, and LEP as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.

All members are welcome to join the Board of Directors meeting. The next meeting is on ZOOM at 8:30 a.m. on , February 13, 2021. Please let us know if you plan to attend by emailing Dianne Murden at diannemurde@yahoo.com so a link can be sent to you.