Join Lisa and the Queensland Institute of Play Therapy for a virtual/online training on Developing Interoception: The Pre-Req for Co-Regulation & Self-Regulation in the Playroom! December 3rd from 9am -12pm Australian Eastern Time (December 2nd 5pm-8pm Mountain Time). 

Helping children learn how to regulate is essential, but without first strengthening the child’s interoceptive sense, regulation may not be successful.  This experiential workshop offers various opportunities to explore how play can develop this fundamental part of the sensory system.

 As play therapists, there is an understanding that regulation and co-regulation are essential skills that must be developed in order to have successful relationships and manage emotions, and are essential for trauma integration; however, what many play therapists may not fully understand is that there is a prerequisite that needs to be in place for regulation skills to be effective. 

What has been understood for years in the world of Occupational Therapy is now becoming a primary focus of education for play therapists.  This important understanding is that the child’s interoceptive sense, the 8th sensory system that is responsible for letting the brain know how the body is doing, must be developed first before a child can successfully regulate and co-regulate.  

Without the development and strengthening of the interoceptive sense, a child may have all kinds of regulation knowledge and tools but will not be able to read their own body cues to know when to use any of them.  Examples such as knowing when to use the bathroom, when to take a deep breath, when to ask for help, the ability to read non-verbal cues, knowing when emotions are feeling overwhelming, etc. all rely on interoception.  

This playful workshop is designed to help you learn what the interoceptive sense is and how to use play to develop interoception in your child clients, setting the stage for successful regulation and co-regulation.  Join Lisa for a fun and experiential workshop exploring this fundamental part of the sensory system!