Brought to you by the Virginia Mental Health Counselors Association
About the Event:
Participants will learn how to integrate play therapy interventions into family therapy to enhance attachment, strengthen relationships, and promote emotional safety. Grounded in family systems theory, attachment theory, and trauma-informed care, this training explores playful interventions that facilitate communication, co-regulation, and secure connections within family units. Gain knowledge of strategies for implementing developmentally appropriate play therapy techniques that foster emotional expression, repair relational ruptures, and build attuned interactions between caregivers and children.
Theoretical Basis:
Play therapy, family systems theory, attachment theory, and trauma-informed care 1. Explain how play therapy aligns with attachment theory and family systems theory. 2. Apply playful techniques to support emotional expression and relational repair. 3. Identify strategies for creating a trauma-informed, play-based therapeutic environment. 4. Apply experiential and expressive interventions to enhance family communication and problem-solving.
Learning Objectives
Explain how play therapy aligns with attachment theory and family systems theory.
Apply playful techniques to support emotional expression and relational repair.
Identify strategies for creating a trauma-informed, play-based therapeutic environment.
Apply experiential and expressive interventions to enhance family communication and problem-solving.
About the Presenter
Christa Butler is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, Nationally Certified TF-CBT Therapist, and a board-approved licensure supervisor in Virginia. She owns Creative Minds at Play, LLC, offering training and consulting services to community organizations and educational institutions. With nearly fifteen years of experience in the mental health field, she has worked in various settings, including community-based agencies, outpatient and intensive outpatient programs, residential treatment facilities, nonprofit organizations, private practices, and schools. While her expertise spans working with clients of all ages, she is particularly passionate about supporting women, children, and families.
Christa specializes in supporting individuals and families through life transitions, maternal and perinatal mental health, trauma/PTSD, parenting, self-esteem, relationship challenges, workplace trauma, and child and family wellness. With extensive experience working with children and families affected by complex trauma, Christa incorporates play, creativity, art-based, and sand tray therapies to foster wellness. Currently, she works full-time within a local hospital system, providing perinatal mental health counseling.
Virginia Mental Health Counselors Association (VAMHCA)has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6130. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.Virginia Mental Health Counselors Association (VAMHCA)is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.