Older children (9-15 years) operate in the in-between world of verbal and non-verbal expression. Therapists trained in Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) often struggle with how to work with this population in a philosophically consistent and genuine way. This workshop is focused on levelling up CCPT for older children to meet their developmental needs. Participants will learn how to modify CCPT for older children and how to integrate experiential activities from a humanistic approach. Presenters will offer modifications to the play therapy room and the process to match developmental level. Participants will walk away with ways in which to conceptualize the play therapy process and how to incorporate this understanding into a treatment plan for the child. This will be an active and interactive presentation. This workshop is designed for participants who have an introductory understanding of CCPT and the CCPT protocol.
Earn 12 Non-Contact CEs!
Date: Friday, July 11, 2025 and Saturday, July 12, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM CDT each day
Learning Objectives:
- Participants will be able to identify at least 5 major developmental needs of older children in play therapy.
- Participants will describe how older children's developmental needs may inform treatment planning.
- Participants will identify at least 5 ways to adapt a traditional play therapy room for older children.
- Participants will learn how to modify CCPT responses to developmentally match older children.
- Participants will describe the use of experiential activities in activity play therapy.
- Participants will describe how to maintain theoretical consistency when using expressive arts with older children.
Speakers:
Dee C. Ray, Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC, RPT-S is co-owner of the counseling practice, EmpathyWell, in Highland Village, TX where she facilitates play therapy, training, consultation, and supervision. Dr. Ray is Regents Emerita Professor in the Counseling Program and Director Emerita of the Center for Play Therapy at the University of North Texas. Dr. Ray has published over 150 articles, chapters, and books in the field of play therapy, specializing in research specifically examining the process and effects of Child Centered Play Therapy. Dr. Ray is author of Playful Education: Using Play Therapy Strategies to Elevate Your Classroom, A Therapist’s Guide to Development: The Extraordinarily Normal Years, Advanced Play Therapy: Essential Conditions, Knowledge, and Skills for Child Practice, and co-author of Multicultural Play Therapy and Group Play Therapy. She is a founding board member and past president of the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling, as well as past board chair of the Association for Play Therapy. She is an American Counseling Association Fellow, and two-time recipient of the Association for Play Therapy Outstanding Research Award, among many others.
Emily Angus, Ph.D., LPC-S, RPT-S is co-owner of the counseling practice, EmpathyWell, in Highland Village, TX. Dr. Angus serves clients of all ages using play therapy, activity therapy, Child-Parent Relationship Therapy, and talk therapy. In addition to direct service with individuals and families, Dr. Angus provides training, consultation, and supervision to professionals in the areas of play therapy, activity therapy, and assessment and evaluation. Dr. Angus also currently serves as the instructor and supervisor for doctoral students providing psychoeducational assessment at a university clinic, overseeing instruction and training. Dr. Angus has speciality training in Child-Centered Play Therapy, activity therapy with preadolescents and adolescents, Child-Parent Relationship Therapy, and assessment and evaluation.