Synergetic Play Therapy Institute

A Synergetic Approach for Supporting Children and Caregivers through Anxiety and OCD Challenge (IPTCA-Ireland)
2025-04-12 - 2025-04-13 | CO
Join Lisa in Ireland for 2 days of training with the Irish Play Therapy Community Association on 12th-13th April 2025. Join her for A Synergetic Approach for Supporting Children and Caregivers through Anxiety, Fears and OCD Challenges.
What will she be presenting on? …….
Supporting a child struggling with anxiety, fears, and obsessive compulsions can be incredibly challenging as the desire to move the child out of their activation and in many cases, their rituals, can overshadow the deeper issues and stressors driving the behaviors.
Without an understanding of what is really going on and how play therapy is able to support the integration of the underlying drivers of the child’s behaviors and emotional experiences, play therapists can inadvertently intensify the inner struggle that is often experienced in these children.
Drawing from Synergetic Play Therapy and interpersonal neurobiology, this workshop explores non-directive and directive play based interventions to support you on a path to understanding the wisdom in anxiety, fears, and obsessive compulsions allowing them to better support their clients. This workshop also gives special attention to learning how to work with parents and caregivers along the journey, as well as how to translate the play to the therapy goals.
Come spend two incredibly powerful days with Lisa filled with didactic and experiential learning designed to give you both the theoretical and practical insight and skills needed to support anxiety, fears, and obsessive compulsions when they show up in your playroom.
Get all the details and register here!

Workshop: Working with Aggression & Intensity in the Playroom (Westminster, Colorado)
2025-04-28 | Community Reach Center, 11285 Highline Drive, Northgleen, CO, United States
Lisa will be teaching Working with Aggression and Intensity in the Playroom, hosted by the Community Reach Center of Westminster, Colorado.
What will she be presenting on? …….
Although aggression and death are a common part of the play therapy process, many therapists don’t have a clear understanding of what to do and how to facilitate the intensity when it enters the playroom during play. The result can lead to inadvertently promoting aggression and increasing low brain disorganization. It can also lead to the therapist feeling beat up, exhausted, and hyper-aroused themselves, which can significantly impact their longevity in the field and their ability to stay attuned and present to a child in the playroom over time.
This workshop is designed to help you understand aggression and death play from a neuro-biological perspective and a Synergetic Play Therapy lens. With the help of neuroscience and interpersonal neurobiology, you’ll learn how to effectively work with this type of play to support nervous system regulation, repatterning the child’s autonomic activation patterns and decreasing compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma.
This workshop will take you to new possibilities as you explore a science-based process for working with children at the deepest, most profound levels while staying safe and sane. Learn how to make aggressive play therapeutic while understanding what it takes to maximize growth and integration for your clients and yourself!
This event is closed. Please visit the organization’s website for additional information. If you would like your organization to receive training from the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute, please contact us at info@synergeticplaytherapy.com.

Advanced Level Synergetic Play Therapy Training Program 2025 – Vancouver Island
2025-05-03 - 2025-05-06 | Tigh-Na-Mara Resort, 1155 Resort Drive, Parksville, British Colombia, Canada
SOLD OUT! STAY TUNED FOR 2026
This advanced program, designed for those who have completed the Synergetic Play Therapy Certification program, is an immersive 4-day in-person experience offering an in-depth exploration of advanced Synergetic Play Therapy concepts. You’ll learn to apply these concepts across a broad spectrum of client groups and age ranges from children, caregivers, groups/families, and teens/adults.
Throughout the program, you will engage in interactive learning experiences, including dynamic role-plays and live demonstrations. These activities will allow you to observe and influence real-time therapeutic scenarios, enhancing your Synergetic Play Therapy® skills and theoretical understanding. Additionally, you’ll collaborate with fellow SPTers, sharing insights and discussing complex cases to enrich your learning experience.
Day 1: Children

Deepen your understanding of working with children in Synergetic Play Therapy®.
Engage in role-play scenarios to handle complex child behaviors and emotions.
Learn to deepen the therapeutic relationship and foster greater attachment to self and healing for your young clients.

Day 2: Parents/Caregivers

Learn more ways to support and engage parents and caregivers.
Gain a greater understanding of how to become the caregiver’s external regulator and involve them in their child’s healing process.

Day 3: Groups/Families

Go deeper applying your Synergetic Play Therapy® skills with groups and families.
Watch Lisa facilitate complex family and group dynamic scenarios.
Learn to navigate and resolve challenges within group and family therapy settings.

Day 4: Teens/Adults

Deepen your understanding of Synergetic Psychotherapy for teen and adult clients.
Apply your Synergetic Play Therapy® skills (authenticity, mindfulness, emotional congruence, reflective dialogue, regulation, etc.) and tailor them to your teen and adult clients.
Explore how to “SPT” your sessions with teens and adult clients, supporting them in moving from deflective awareness to reflective awareness.

This program is crafted to integrate your existing knowledge with advanced teachings, boosting your confidence and proficiency in Synergetic Play Therapy® theory and tenets.

Healthy Nest Conference hosted by Pia Konferans Organizasyon Ltd. Sti (Turkey)
2025-05-27 - 2025-05-28 | CO
Lisa is presenting two workshops on May 4th-5th at the Healthy Nest Conference hosted by Pia Konferans Organizasyon Ltd. Sti in Istanbul, Turkey.
Workshop #1: Who Am I? Using Play and Stories to Help Teens Discover their Home Within.
This workshop is designed to help you discover how to help mature and remodel the teenage brain using play and stories, while supporting movement towards the discovery of the authentic self and their “inner home”- the cornerstone of the development of a teenager’s identity.
Workshop #2: The Interplay Between Mind and Body (co-presented by Clemence Jeay)
In this interactive workshop, you’ll engage in hands-on activities to practice mindfulness exercises, cranial posture techniques, and strategies for supporting holistic well-being in children and teenagers. You’ll also be guided through several exercises and group discussions on implementing techniques in various settings.
Stay tuned for details!

Working with Aggression and Intensity in Play Therapy (Keynote, PTUK 2025 Annual Conference)
2025-06-21 | CO
Save the date! Lisa is coming to the UK for the Play Therapy United Kingdom (PTUK) 2025 Annual Conference on Saturday the 21st of June, 2025.
What will she be presenting on? …….
Although aggression and death play are a common part of the play therapy process, many therapists don’t have a clear understanding of what to do and how to facilitate the intensity when it enters the playroom during play. The result can lead to inadvertently promoting aggression and increasing lower brain disorganization. It can also lead to the therapist feeling beat up, exhausted, and hyper-aroused themselves, which can over time significantly impact their longevity in the field, as well as their ability to stay attuned and present to a child in the playroom.
This keynote presentation is designed to help play therapists understand aggression and death play from a neuro-biological perspective and a Synergetic Play Therapy lens. With the help of neuroscience and interpersonal neurobiology, therapists will learn how to effectively work with this type of play in a way that supports nervous system regulation, repatterning of the child’s autonomic activation patterns, and decreases compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma.
*Lisa will also be doing a breakout session as part of the conference on Working with Aggression and Intensity in Play Therapy Part 2.
This 2 hour workshop is designed to help you learn what it really means to become a child’s external regulator for trauma integration. You’ll be guided through experiential role plays and activities designed to help you explore your own experience with aggression while learning how to regulate and co-regulate with a child when aggression and intensity arises in the playroom. Come take what you learned in the keynote presentation and put it into practice further helping you embody the teaching.
Learn more here.

PESI 2025 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference
2025-08-13 - 2025-08-14 | CO
Hosted by PESI, join Lisa for the 2025 Child and Adolescent Mental Health Conference!
Cutting-Edge Interventions for Healing Today’s Struggling Youth📅 LIVE Online | August 13–14, 2025🎓 Earn up to 19.5 CE Hours + Certification Included💲 Only $199.99 (Reg. $1,389.89)
Real Tools. Real Change. For the Youth Who Need It Most.
From trauma and attachment wounds to anxiety, depression, emotional dysregulation, and suicidality—today’s youth are facing challenges that require more than outdated tools and generic approaches. They need real change—and that starts with you.
Join thousands of clinicians at this nationally renowned event designed to equip you with the most effective, evidence-based interventions in youth mental health.
A Powerhouse Line-Up of Today’s Most Trusted Voices
Get ready to learn from leaders shaping the future of youth mental health:
🌟 Dan Siegel, MD – Renowned neuropsychiatrist and author of The Whole-Brain Child🌟 Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S – Creator of Synergetic Play Therapy🌟 Kate Truitt, PhD – Global leader in the neuroscience of trauma and resilience🌟 Eli Harwood, MA, LPC – Attachment expert and author of Raising Securely Attached Kids🌟 Varleisha Lyons, PhD, OTD – Expert in neuroanatomy, trauma, and regulation🌟 And many more!
New Challenges Call for New Strategies
This two-day, LIVE online event delivers practical tools you can use immediately in your practice:
✅ Set boundaries without shame or rupture (with Lisa Dion)✅ Use EMDR + Flash Technique to accelerate trauma healing✅ Engage caregivers with confidence and compassion✅ Apply DBT tools to reduce emotional reactivity✅ Support culturally diverse youth in suicide prevention✅ Leverage tech—AI, VR, and more—for youth mental health✅ Integrate Dan Siegel’s newest PDP model with Whole-Brain strategies…and more!
What’s Included in Your All-Access Pass:
🎥 8 Live Online Sessions with Q&A📚 30-Day Replay Access to all content🎁 2 Bonus On-Demand Trainings📄 Downloadable Worksheets, Games & Handouts🎓 Earn up to 19.5 CE Hours (15.5 Live + 4 Self-Study)🏅 FREE Certification as a Certified Youth Mental Health Specialist (CYMHS) – a $149.99 value!💬 Live Q&A + Expert Panel Discussion
Can’t Attend Live? No Problem.
✔️ Get the recording package with unlimited, on-demand access✔️ Earn the same CE hours and certification✔️ Watch on your schedule, at your pace
Featured Topics Include:

Trauma & Attachment Wounds
Emotional Regulation & Executive Function
Suicide Prevention for Marginalized Youth
Boundary Setting with Dysregulated Clients
Tech-Based Interventions (AI, VR, Metaverse)
Parental Coaching & Attachment Repair
Nutritional & Sleep Supports for Mental Health…and more!

2025 Schedule At-A-Glance
📅 Day 1 | August 13, 2025

AI & Tech in Therapy (Varleisha Lyons)
Brain-Based Boundaries (Lisa Dion)
Keynote: Whole-Brain Child in a Screen-Filled World (Dan Siegel)
Coaching Parents for Secure Attachment (Eli Harwood)

📅 Day 2 | August 14, 2025

Neuroplasticity in Action (Kate Truitt)
Suicide Prevention for Marginalized Youth (Eboni Webb)
EMDR + Flash Technique with Children (Christine Mark-Griffin)
Closing Panel: Youth Mental Health Innovations (Eboni Webb & Christopher Willard)

💥 Register Now & Save 85%
2025 Child and Adolescent Mental Health ConferenceLIVE Online | August 13–14, 2025🧠 Cutting-Edge Interventions for Healing Today’s Struggling Youth
🎟️ Just $199.99 (Regularly $1,389.89)✅ All Sessions + Bonuses + CE Hours + CYMHS Certification
👉 Register Now

2026-2027 Synergetic Play Therapy Certification Program (Level 2)
2025-09-01 - 2026-06-16 | Online
Enrollment is officially OPEN for the 2026-2027 Synergetic Play Therapy Certification Program!
We’re so excited to invite you to join us on this powerful journey of transformation, growth, and connection. Last year, we filled every single spot before the deadline — and we expect the same this year! So if you’ve been waiting for the moment to say yes to yourself, your growth, and the kids and families you serve… this is it.
This program isn’t just about becoming a better therapist — it’s about coming home to yourself. It’s about discovering your authenticity in and out of the playroom, strengthening your nervous system, deepening your presence, and learning how to use the therapeutic relationship as a profound tool for healing.
Here’s what one of our beautiful graduates had to say:
“SPT is the best certification course I’ve ever taken! Working with children over the past 22 years, I’ve never felt so in-sync with myself and being with my clients. I’m more confident and trusting of the process with the child and with the parent. I’m much more connected to myself and my body. I’m much more aware of what is going on in me, in the room, and with the child. I can more easily let go of the “shoulds” and just be with what is. I’m so happy and grateful that I’ve evolved and still will evolve further with SPT, to be the human and therapist I truly am.” — Barbara Favre, Switzerland
If her words speak to something inside you, we’d love for you to walk this path with us.
Over the course of 10 months, you’ll receive 85 hours of experiential and didactic learning, plus 13 hours of individual and group consultation to help you integrate everything on a deeper level.
You’ll learn how to:

Attune to yourself and your clients in a whole new way
Scaffold the development of a child’s interoceptive sense
Hold awareness of self and other (dual awareness) in order to become an attuned external regulator
Understand the underlying drivers behind human behavior and identity formation
Recognize and work with the ways trauma is stored in the body and mind to support shifts in a client’s narrative
Work with implicit memory to repattern the somatic imprints and protective patterns of the autonomic nervous system
Explore how the brain’s drive for internal balance (homeostasis) influences emotional states and responses
Understand the Vagus Nerve and the role it plays in trauma integration and regulation
Assess and work with a child’s emotional age
Use sensory system information to support neurodivergent clients
Stay present with your own activation that naturally arises in sessions and repattern your own nervous system response
Deepen your understanding of how to track a child’s progress on the SPT Therapeutic Stages
Use sand, art, and the sensory system in both directive and non-directive ways
Track and facilitate small moments and significant empowerment experiences in a client’s therapeutic journey
Work with non-verbal regressive states, endings, transitions, and so much more…

This is just a small taste of what we explore. You’ll dive into the projective process, physics and psychology, caregiver collaboration, and even directive work with teens, families, and adults using the SPT lens.
We’re here to support you in uncovering your brilliance and becoming the therapist — and human — you’re meant to be. 💫 Apply today to secure the early bird discount. The deadline is April 1st — but don’t wait. Seats are limited, and they fill fast.
From our hearts to yours, we can’t wait to welcome you into this next cohort.
Learn more about this program here

Registration is Open! The Business of Therapy 2025 in Sydney, Australia
2025-09-06 - 2025-09-08 | CO
Registration is open for The Business of Therapy 2025 in Sydney, Australia!
Reserve your seat now! The Business of Therapy is headed to Sydney on 6-8 September, 2025! This 2.5-day course is custom-designed for therapists, coaches, helpers, and healers like you, who are committed to making an impact and eager to be of greater service. Whether you’re growing your private practice, launching a new program, or leading a company, this course will give you the roadmap to entrepreneurial success.
Join us in beautiful Sydney to gain essential tools, fresh strategies, and the insights you need to take your work to the next level. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow alongside others on the journey!
Learn more about the course and experience here.

3-Day In-Person Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy Program (Brisbane, Australia)
2025-09-12 - 2025-09-14 | CO
Registration Closed | Program is Full!
If you would like to be added to the Waitlist for this program, please email info@synergeticplaytherapy.com
Have you been searching for ways to create a deeper impact for your clients? Or perhaps you want to improve or learn more about …

Becoming an external regulator to support children with integration and repatterning the activation of their nervous system.
Supporting healing at deeper levels through right brain to right brain attuned communication.
Teaching children interoceptive (body) awareness (…the key ingredient for self-regulation and co-regulation).
Creating a neuroception of safety for a child when emotional flooding happens.
Setting boundaries with the brain in mind to not minimize, shame or shut down the child’s play, but keep them engaged in their therapy process.
Building collaborative relationships with caregivers to support their child’s therapeutic process.
Developing goals, tracking a child’s therapeutic process, and translating what’s happening during the child’s therapy session to their caregiver(s) and others in the world.
Helping children develop a secure attachment to themselves (…a foundation of resilience).
Applying SPT concepts from a cultural lens for a more inclusive and culturally sensitive clinical orientation where a client’s unique experiences and needs are honored.
How to feel a little more like YOU in the therapy process (…because we know inauthenticity is the fastest way to burnout and compassion fatigue).

Learn all of this and so much more!
This program is a 3-day 18-hour in-person training that explores the foundational skills of SPT and will take you on a journey to explore the neuroscience behind what is happening in the play therapy process, how to effectively work with caregivers and what it means to create a neuroception of safety allowing both the child and the caregiver to have a deeper integration, and (….if this wasn’t enough), you’ll come to understand the magic of aggressive play, sand and art from the perspectives of nervous system regulation, attunement, attachment, mindfulness, and authenticity. But it doesn’t stop there! This program also includes 6 months of group consultation and additional video lessons to keep your learning going!
Come discover what showing up in the playroom truly means and explore what is happening in the play therapy process, how change occurs, and ultimately what it takes to help children heal at profound levels. And the best part is, you get to be you on the journey! Enroll today!
*Offered 3 times a year online (in January, June & October) and in-person, the Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy program is a comprehensive play therapy training that explores the foundational skills of SPT. This six-month program is designed for both beginning and advanced practitioners. Learn more about this level 1 SPT signature program here.

Co-regulating with Caregivers: Becoming an External Regulator for Caregivers in Play Therapy (2 Hr. Workshop, PTUK)
2025-09-25 | CO
Join Lisa online for a 2 hour workshop September 25 hosted by Play Therapy United Kingdom (PTUK) on Co-regulating with Caregivers: Becoming an External Regulator for Caregivers in Play Therapy.
The caregivers of our play therapy clients play a pivotal role in the play therapy process. Learning to involve them successfully requires a specific skill set often overlooked in the training of play therapists. This workshop is designed to teach you how to become a caregiver’s external regulator, the most essential foundational skill necessary to begin to partner effectively with caregivers. Topics such as the steps for how to co-regulate with a caregiver, working with emotional flooding, and caregiver resistance will be explored.
Objectives:

Discuss what it means to become a caregiver’s external regulator
Explore what caregiver resistance is and what it is not
Discuss the significance of identifying emotional flooding within the caregiver and with the play therapist

Stay tuned for more details.

Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy Certificate Online Program (Embody Lab)
2025-09-28 | CO
Are you ready to help heal trauma from a holistic and body based unified approach? Are you committed to transforming pain and challenges into growth, meaning, change and resilience?
Join Lisa for the The Embody Lab’s Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapy Certificate Program! She’ll be presenting on Foundations of Trauma and Healing in Children.
This program brings together the world’s most renowned Somatic Trauma Therapy teachers into one Somatic Trauma Certificate Program! It’s a unique opportunity to study with incredible teachers including Arielle Schwartz, Peter Levine, Bessel van der Kolk, Gabor Maté, Thomas Hübl, Deb Dana, Karine Bell, Pat Ogden, and Farzana Khan to name just a few.
What the program covers:

Key principles of somatic trauma healing approaches for both individuals and the collective.
Up to date evidence-informed approaches to treating and healing trauma.
Practical mind-body therapy tools to resource and prepare for trauma processing.
The role of Polyvagal Theory as an essential foundation in trauma reprocessing.
The dynamics of post-traumatic hyper-arousal or hypo-arousal states.
Gain a road map to facilitate resilience.
Identify self and collective-care practices for boundaries, energy and protection against vicarious trauma.

Register here.

October 2025 Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy (Level 1) Program
2025-10-14 - 2026-03-20 | CO
Registration is Open!
Are you ready to learn a solid play therapy theory that combines the power of play with interpersonal neurobiology?
The Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy program is designed for both beginning and experienced practitioners and will take you on a journey to explore the neuroscience behind what is happening in the play therapy process, how to effectively work with caregivers and what it means to create a neuroception of safety allowing both the child and the caregiver to have a deeper integration, and (….if this wasn’t enough), you’ll come to understand the magic of aggressive play, sand and art from the perspectives of nervous system regulation, attunement, attachment, mindfulness, and authenticity.
“This SPT training has been one of the most influential trainings that I have ever taken. SPT incorporates so many things that I already know to work with my clients, has added new things that I had not already learned and things that I had not previously thought about, and has put it all together in a way that has allowed me to use the training in my day to day work with my clients. This training has been so valuable that I am planning on taking the certification course.” – Kim Kendall
Join the growing number of mental health professionals and those in related roles (child life specialists, school counselors, occupational therapists, etc.) who are learning Synergetic Play Therapy!
Registration will open soon for this online level 1 program! Starts October 14th, 2025.
*To learn more about the program click here!

Level 1 Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy Program - 2026 Dates
2025-10-15 - 2026-10-20 | Online via Zoom
Registration Opening Soon for 2026 Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy Programs!
Are you ready to transform your play therapy practice with a cutting-edge approach that blends the healing power of play with the latest in interpersonal neurobiology? Mark your calendar and get ready to choose from three upcoming sessions of the Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy Program:

January 27th, 2026
June 23rd, 2026 (tentative)
October 20th, 2026 (tentative)

Discover the Program
This 6-month online program is designed for both beginning and experienced practitioners who want to deepen their understanding of play therapy and integrate neuroscience into their practice. Here’s what you’ll explore:
Regulation

Become an external regulator to support repatterning a child’s nervous system for integration and healing.
Teach interoceptive (body) awareness—the key to self-regulation and co-regulation.
Understand how nervous system activation connects to mental health symptoms.

The Brain & Neuroscience

Create a neuroception of safety even during emotional flooding.
Set boundaries that support brain integration while keeping children engaged.
Use reflections and responses that target multiple areas of the brain for deeper healing.

Collaborative Relationships

Build effective partnerships with caregivers to support the therapeutic process.
Help caregivers see that all behaviors make sense, even challenging ones.
Track a child’s progress and translate their play into meaningful insights for caregivers and other professionals.

Authenticity & Congruence

Use therapist authenticity to promote profound client change and prevent burnout.
Explore aggressive play, sand, and art through the lenses of regulation, mindfulness, and attachment.
Cultivate cultural sensitivity to honor each child’s unique experiences and needs.

“SPT is the missing piece in play therapy. I gained an understanding of who I am in the playroom—a humanness that wasn’t there before.” – Frances Donohue
Who Should Join?This program is ideal for:

Mental health professionals
Child Life Specialists, School Counselors, and Occupational Therapists
Coaches and professionals in related fields

Ready to Begin?Join the growing community of professionals embracing Synergetic Play Therapy and bring a new depth to your work.
👉 Click here for full program details, including early bird discounts, session dates, costs, and learning objectives.

Registration is Open! The Business of Therapy 2025 - San Diego, California (In-Person/Live Online)
2025-11-13 - 2025-11-15 | CO
Registration is open for The Business of Therapy 2025 in San Diego, California or Live Online!
Calling all therapists, coaches, helpers, and healers! The Business of Therapy is landing in San Diego, California, November 13-15, 2025! This 2.5-day transformative course is crafted just for you – whether you’re running a private practice, launching a new program, or building a business. Get ready for a roadmap that leads to entrepreneurial success and the ability to make a bigger impact in the world.
Join us by the stunning San Diego coast (or live online if you can’t make it in-person) for insights, tools, and strategies designed to elevate your business journey. Take advantage of this opportunity to connect, grow, and bring your vision to life!
Learn more about the course and experience here.

An Exploration of the Use of the Self in Play Therapy (3-Hr. Webinar, Queensland Institute)
2025-12-03 | CO
Join Lisa and the Queensland Institute of Play Therapy for a virtual/online training on An Exploration of the Use of the Self in Play Therapy! December 3rd from 9am -12pm Australian Eastern Time (December 2nd 5pm-8pm Mountain Time).

Description:
Join us for a dynamic 3-hour webinar exploring the powerful role of the therapist’s self in the play therapy process. Through the lens of Synergetic Play Therapy®, participants will delve into what it truly means to “use the self” to deepen therapeutic connection and support regulation. This training will introduce the concept of “The Set Up/Offering” to help therapists recognize the unconscious invitations present in the playroom. We will also explore the importance of therapist authenticity as a foundation for attunement and co-regulation, and examine how to identify and work with our own internal “sensitivities” as they arise. These insights will support therapists in showing up more fully and congruently in the therapeutic relationship.

Objectives:
1. Explore what it means to “use the self” in the play therapy process
2. Describe Synergetic Play Therapy’s concept of “The Set Up/Offering”
3. Explore how to work with “sensitivities” as they arise in the play therapy process

Brain-Based Boundary Setting: Strategies for Supporting Dysregulated Children Without. Shame or Rupture (2 Hr. Workshop)
2025-12-12 | CO
Judy Norman will be presenting Brain-Based Boundary Setting: Strategies for Supporting Dysregulated Children Without. Shame or Rupture, a two-hour workshop for the Crossroads Family Counseling Center on December 12, 2025.

This workshop supports play therapists as they learn about setting boundaries from a neuro-biological perspective, keeping the child’s brain and nervous system activation in mind. Drawing from Interpersonal Neurobiology and Synergetic Play Therapy, participants will learn how to set boundaries without shaming the child or stopping the child’s process, allowing for deeper integration and connection. Working with emotional flooding (the child’s and the play therapist’s) will also be explored.
Objectives:

Demonstrate at least 2 strategies for setting boundaries without shaming or shutting down a child in play therapy
Define “emotional flooding,” and identify at least 2 strategies to employ when this happens in play therapy sessions
Describe how the play therapist’s own window of tolerance influences the need to set a boundary in a play therapy session

*If you would like your organization to receive training from the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute, please contact us at info@synergeticplaytherapy.com.

Level 1 In-Person Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy Program – 2026 Dates
2026-01-01 - 2026-09-13 | CO
Join Us for an In-Person Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy Program in 2026!
Are you ready to transform your play therapy practice with a hands-on, immersive approach that blends the healing power of play with the latest in interpersonal neurobiology? Mark your calendar and join one of our upcoming 3-Day Live Intro to Synergetic Play Therapy programs:
Boulder, Colorado – Led by Judy Norman (Stay tuned! Registration will open soon)When: July 17-19, 2026
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada – Led by Lisa Dion (Stay tuned! Registration will open soon)When: September 11-13, 2026
UK (Hosted by PIP Solutions) – Led by Lisa Dion (Registration is Open. Click here for details!)When: October 24-26, 2026
Discover the Program:
This 3-day live program is designed for both beginning and experienced practitioners who want to deepen their understanding of play therapy and integrate neuroscience into practice. Here’s what you’ll explore:
Regulation

Become an external regulator to support repatterning a child’s nervous system for integration and healing.
Teach interoceptive (body) awareness—the key to self-regulation and co-regulation.
Understand how nervous system activation connects to mental health symptoms.

The Brain & Neuroscience

Create a neuroception of safety even during emotional flooding.
Set boundaries that support brain integration while keeping children engaged.
Use reflections and responses that target multiple areas of the brain for deeper healing.

Collaborative Relationships

Build effective partnerships with caregivers to support the therapeutic process.
Help caregivers see that all behaviors make sense, even challenging ones.
Track a child’s progress and translate their play into meaningful insights for caregivers and other professionals.

Authenticity & Congruence

Use therapist authenticity to promote profound client change and prevent burnout.
Explore aggressive play, sand, and art through the lenses of regulation, mindfulness, and attachment.
Cultivate cultural sensitivity to honor each child’s unique experiences and needs.

“SPT is the missing piece in play therapy. I gained an understanding of who I am in the playroom—a humanness that wasn’t there before.” – Frances Donohue
Who Should Join?This program is ideal for:

Mental health professionals
Child Life Specialists, School Counselors, and Occupational Therapists
Coaches and professionals in related fields

Ready to Begin?Join the growing community of professionals experiencing Synergetic Play Therapy in-person and bring a new depth to your work.

Transforming Trauma Patterns: A Neurobiological Approach to Intergenerational Trauma in Play Therapy (1 Day Workshop)
2026-02-18 | Center for Child Counseling, 5205 Greenwood Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL, 33410, United States
Hosted by Center for Child Counseling, join Lisa for a one-day in-person workshop: Transforming Trauma Patterns: A Neurobiological Approach to Intergenerational Trauma in Play Therapy.
This is a specialized 6 hour course crafted for play therapists seeking to enhance their skills in identifying and breaking intergenerational trauma patterns. Drawing from neuroscience and Synergetic Play Therapy principles, this course offers an exploration of how trauma is stored and repeated across generations, as well as how to use play therapy to support the healing and integration of these patterns. By the end of this eye-opening course, play therapists will be equipped with knowledge and skills to effectively identify and break intergenerational trauma patterns, empowering them to facilitate healing and transformation in their clients.

Objectives:
1. Examine how trauma patterns get stored and how they show up in play therapy
2. Explore the Synergetic Play Therapy concept of “The Set Up/Offering” and how to use this concept to explore intergenerational patterns
3. Explore what it takes to repattern the activation of the autonomic nervous system in play therapy
4. Examine the importance of working with the parents in the play therapy process when the goal is intergenerational healing
5. Explore the role “perception” plays in trauma storage and healing in the play therapy process
6. Understand the significance of the therapist becoming the child’s “external regulator” for trauma integration and healing in play therapy
Stay tuned for registration details.

Working with Aggression and Intensity in the Playroom (1 Day Workshop)
2026-03-07 | Playful Connections Sandtray Institute, 300 Stateline Avenue, Texarkana, TX, United States
Hosted by Playful Connections Sandtray Institute, join Lisa for a one-day workshop: Working with Aggression and Intensity in the Playroom.
Although aggression and death are a common part of the play therapy process, many therapists don’t have a clear understanding of what to do and how to facilitate the intensity when it enters the playroom during play. The result can lead to inadvertently promoting aggression and increasing low brain disorganization. It can also lead to the therapist feeling beat up, exhausted, and hyper-aroused themselves, which can over time, significantly impact their longevity in the field, as well as their ability to stay attuned and present to a child in the playroom.
This workshop is designed to help play therapists understand aggression and death play from a neurobiological perspective and a Synergetic Play Therapy lens. With the help of neuroscience and interpersonal neurobiology, therapists will learn how to effectively work with this type of play in a way that supports nervous system regulation, repatterning of the child’s autonomic activation patterns and decreases compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma.
Here’s what will be covered: 1.Identify strategies for maintaining regulation in the midst of intense play, aggression and death in the playroom2.Identify at least 2 strategies for working with aggression in the playroom without experiencing your own nervous system shut down leading to vicarious trauma3. Explain the link between a child’s dysregulated states of their nervous system and their aggressive and traumatic play4. Examine the Synergetic Play Therapy concept of “The Set Up” in the playroom as a way to understand what the child is trying to communicate5. Demonstrate at least 2 strategies for setting boundaries without shaming or shutting down a child’s play6. Describe the importance of becoming the child’s external regulator for trauma integration Working with Aggression and Intensity in the Playroom
Get all the details and register here.

Advanced Synergetic Play Therapy Training Program 2026 – Australia
2026-04-10 - 2026-04-13 | CO
SAVE THE DATE FOR THE NEXT ADVANCED SYNERGETIC PLAY THERAPY TRAINING!
APRIL 10-13, 2026, Australia
This advanced program, designed for those who have completed the Synergetic Play Therapy Certification program, is an immersive 4-day in-person experience offering an in-depth exploration of advanced Synergetic Play Therapy concepts. You’ll learn to apply these concepts across a broad spectrum of client groups and age ranges from children, caregivers, groups/families, and teens/adults.
Throughout the program, you will engage in interactive learning experiences, including dynamic role-plays and live demonstrations. These activities will allow you to observe and influence real-time therapeutic scenarios, enhancing your Synergetic Play Therapy skills and theoretical understanding. Additionally, you’ll collaborate with fellow SPTers, sharing insights and discussing complex cases to enrich your learning experience.
Here’s what we’ll explore across four days:
Children

Deepen your ability to work with children through advanced SPT applications.
Engage in role plays to practice navigating complex behaviors and intense emotional states.
Strengthen the therapeutic relationship, supporting children in attaching more deeply to themselves and their healing.

Parents & Caregivers

Expand your skills for engaging and supporting caregivers throughout the therapeutic process.
Learn how to become the caregiver’s external regulator while empowering them in their child’s healing journey.

Groups & Families

Apply SPT principles to the unique dynamics of family and group work.
Observe Lisa facilitating challenging scenarios and learn strategies for guiding regulation across multiple nervous systems.
Practice navigating conflict, resistance, and relational repair in group and family settings.

Teens & Adults

Explore Synergetic Psychotherapy™ and its application with adolescent and adult clients.
Adapt SPT principles—authenticity, mindfulness, emotional congruence, reflective dialogue, and regulation—to meet older clients where they are.
Learn how to guide clients from deflective awareness toward reflective awareness, fostering deeper self-connection and transformation.

This program is crafted to integrate your existing knowledge with advanced teachings, boosting your confidence and proficiency in Synergetic Play Therapy theory and tenets.

Echoes of Wisdom: Las Vegas Play Therapy (In-Person Symposium)
2026-05-14 - 2026-05-17 | The South Point Hotel and Casino, 9777 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV, 89183, United States
As therapists, we are aware of the impact of the intergenerational transmission of unprocessed trauma. We feel this in our clients’ stories. We sense this in our own bodies. More and more attention needs to be given to this evolving area of study and practice, but we can also hold these concepts in balance with another intergenerational patterns. Wisdom and strength are also gifts handed from generation to generation. How do we honor clients’ intergenerational pain without overlooking their resilience? How do we explore generational wisdom without minimizing people’s struggles?
Join us in Las Vegas May 14-17, 2026 as we explore the Wisdom of our ancestors, the Wisdom of our Mentors and Teachers, the Wisdom in our bodies and the Wisdom of those who trust us with their healing as we move forward into our futures. Lisa Dion and Mili Shoemaker, Certified Synergetic Play Therapists, Supervisor, and Teacher-in-Training, will be featured speakers on Saturday, May 16th.
Get all registration details and register here.

Annual Indiana APT Conference (Keynote)
2026-06-25 - 2026-06-26 | CO
Save the date! Lisa Dion will be keynoting the Annual Indiana Association for Play Therapy conference June 25th-26th, 2026.
Stay tuned for details.

3-Day In-Person Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy (PIP Solutions - UK)
2026-10-24 09:00 - 2026-10-26 16:30 (Europe/London) | Voco St. John’s Solihull Hotel, 651 Warwick Rd, Solihull, B91 1AT, United Kingdom
This 3-Day In-Person Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy hosted by PIP Solutions in the UK will take you on a journey to explore the neuroscience behind what is happening in the play therapy process, how to repattern a child’s nervous system activation, and what it means to become an external regulator in the playroom. You will learn how to work with caregivers effectively and what it means to create a neuroception of safety in play therapy, allowing both the child and the caregiver to have a deeper integration. And if that wasn’t enough, you will come to understand the magic of aggressive play, sand, and art from the perspectives of nervous system regulation, attunement, mindfulness, and authenticity, AND how to apply these concepts to your play therapy practice. You’ll learn all this while also learning how to avoid burnout and compassion fatigue. Come discover what showing up in the playroom truly means and explore what is happening in the play therapy process, how change occurs, and ultimately what it takes to help children heal at profound levels. And the best part is, you get to be you on the journey!
Course Overview
The Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy program has six modules delivered over 3 days and includes:

18 hours in-person teaching with Lisa Dion
6 one-hour group consultations delivered online over a 6-month time period with a Synergetic Play Therapy Consultant
3 pre-recorded one-hour video lessons to further your learning
Book review of Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity

If you would like more information or your organization is interested in training in Synergetic Play Therapy, please contact the Institute at info@synergeticplaytherapy.com.

Working with Aggression & Intensity in the Playroom (1 Day Workshop, San Antonio, Texas)
2027-03-06 | CO
Lisa Dion will be teaching Working with Aggression and Intensity in the Playroom, hosted by Mind Works in San Antonio, Texas.
What will she be presenting on? …….
Although aggression and death are a common part of the play therapy process, many therapists don’t have a clear understanding of what to do and how to facilitate the intensity when it enters the playroom during play. The result can lead to inadvertently promoting aggression and increasing low brain disorganization. It can also lead to the therapist feeling beat up, exhausted, and hyper-aroused themselves, which can significantly impact their longevity in the field and their ability to stay attuned and present to a child in the playroom over time.
This workshop is designed to help you understand aggression and death play from a neurobiological perspective and a Synergetic Play Therapy lens. With the help of neuroscience and interpersonal neurobiology, you’ll learn how to effectively work with this type of play to support nervous system regulation, repatterning the child’s autonomic activation patterns, and decreasing compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma.
This workshop will take you to new possibilities as you explore a science-based process for working with children at the deepest, most profound levels while staying safe and sane. Learn how to make aggressive play therapeutic while understanding what it takes to maximize growth and integration for your clients and yourself!
This event is closed. Please visit the organization’s website for additional information. If you would like your organization to receive training from the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute, please contact us at info@synergeticplaytherapy.com.
