Synergetic Play Therapy Institute

Synergetic Play Therapy Certification Program 3-Day Retreat Vancouver, BC
2018-09-22 - 2018-09-24
This 3-Day Retreat is part of the 10-Month Synergetic Play Therapy Certification Program. The Certification Program is open to those who have completed either the Six-Day Synergetic Play Therapy Intensive or the Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy course. If you have completed one of these and are interested in moving towards certification, please see the details below or get more information here.
Are you a Masters-level (or equivalent) therapist or clinician ready to take your Synergetic Play Therapy skills to the next level? Are you ready to expand your understanding of interpersonal neurobiology and take your ability to help a child heal to a whole new realm of possibility? Are you ready to dive deeper into the Synergetic Play Therapy Process as you learn how to embrace yourself, discover your magnificence, and tap into a higher state of authenticity?
If you’re ready to jump in, we invite you to embark on the Certification Program, an experience that will take your confidence and skill to a higher plane, an experience that will allow you to love yourself and support your child clients in loving themselves more fully.
During the Certification Program, you will attend one three-day and one five-day Synergetic Play Therapy Training Retreat. (You may choose to attend the retreats in Boulder, Colorado; Vancouver, Canada; or Melbourne, Australia) Retreats are can’t-miss and must be attended in person. This time allows for growth, change, and powerful moments.
Please note: Completion of The Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy course or the Six-Day Synergetic Play Therapy Intensive is required for acceptance into the Certification Program.

Las Cruces Play Therapy Training
2018-09-15
Workshop – Aggression in the Playroom: A Synergetic Approach for working with Trauma and Intensity in Play Therapy!!
Are your play therapy sessions filled with swords fights, battles, babies dying, handcuffs, you dying, explosions, or other highly intense play? Are you often set up to watch or be a part of play that leaves you feeling nervous, unsafe, overwhelmed, confused or just wanting to run away and hide? If so, you are not alone.
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 6-hour workshop led by Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S, is designed to help play therapists understand aggression and death play from a neuro-biological perspective and through a Synergetic Play Therapy lense. With the help of neuroscience, therapists will learn how to effectively work with this type of play in a way that supports nervous system regulation and reorganization of the child’s lower centers of the brain while decreasing compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma.
This fun experiential workshop will take you to new possibilities as we explore a science-based process for working with children at the deepest, most profound levels while staying safe and sane. You will learn the art of sword fighting, gunplay, bop bag play, and more while understanding what it takes to maximize growth and integration for your clients and for you as the therapist.
Objectives: This workshop is designed to help participants:

Understand the link between a child’s dys-regulated states of their nervous system and their aggressive/trauma play
Understand the significance of authenticity and authentic expression in the play therapy process
Learn how to set boundaries without shaming or shutting down a child’s play
Understand how to facilitate aggressive play in the play therapy process without increasing or promoting aggression
Understand Synergetic Play Therapy’s concept of “The Set Up” in the playroom
Learn how to keep yourself regulated in the midst of intense play/trauma play and death in the playroom

Register here!

Boulder Valley School District Training - Developing Emotional Regulation and Discovering What Drives You
2018-09-12 12:15 - 2018-09-13 14:45 UTC
This is a closed workshop for members of BVSD.
Developing Emotional Regulation: Awakening the Genius Within Part 1
As neuroscience continues to reveal the importance of developing greater and greater capacities for emotional regulation, it is essential that teachers, educators and students understand the biology behind regulation and how to develop it within themselves. Participants will understand exactly what regulation is and is not, the biological mechanisms in the brain and nervous system allowing for regulation, and what it takes to develop a strong regulatory capacity, one of the key elements needed to maximize learning, productivity and inspiration.
Discovering What Drives You: Awakening the Genius Within Part 2
Teachers, educators and students will be introduced to a framework for human potential that will help awaken the genius within. Participants will learn what drives them to do what they do and why certain things interest them. Expanding from part 1, an understanding of nervous system states as they relate to physiological feedback helping us know when we are on or off track will be explored. Teachers, educators, and students are guaranteed to walk away from this talk with a-has and a deeper understanding of what it takes to feel truly inspired in their studies and in their career choices.

Synergetic Play Therapy Certification Program 3-Day Retreat Boulder, CO
2018-08-24 - 2018-08-26

Synergetic Play Therapy Certification Program 3-Day Retreat Melbourne, Australia
2018-08-08 - 2018-08-10

A Synergetic Approach to working with pre- teens and teens in Play Therapy - Advanced workshop for Sexual Assault Workers
2018-08-07 | Royal College of Surgeons, Australia
With their changing brains and hormones, sometimes finding ways to integrate play with pre-teens and teens can at times just feel completely “awkward.” Do we talk? Do we play? Do I ask questions? What do I do? With the help of neuroscience, interpersonal neurobiology, developmental theory, and principles from Synergetic Play Therapy, this 6-hour workshop will shed light on how to navigate the therapy landscape with our clients who are no longer children, but also not quite adults!
# Advanced Workshops are provided for those working in DHHS funded sexual assault support services. Advanced workshops are particularly designed for experienced counsellor/advocates and sexual assault support workers. Non-sexual assault workers can attend this one-day training for a fee.
For more information about this workshop please contact Sarah McGregor at sarah.mcgregor@monashhealth.org.

The Neuro-biology of Parenting
2018-08-05 - 2018-08-06 | Independent Education Union of Australia NSW/ACT Branch, 501 Wattle Street #485, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
Did you know when children act out their most problematic moods and behaviors, that’s actually their incredibly wise way of communicating with the adults in their lives? In this workshop (click here to view the workshop flyer), Lisa Dion, licensed professional counselor and registered play therapist, will teach parents how to use the insights of modern neuroscience to better understand and shape their children’s moods and behaviors, while developing their brains! Parents will learn what it takes to truly raise children who are not only successful in life, but thrive. They will learn how to understand what is happening in the minds and bodies of their children and what it takes to maximize brain and emotional development in their children and in themselves!
Register here.

Six-Day Synergetic Play Therapy Intensive - August 4-10 (one day break in the middle)
2018-08-04 09:00 - 2018-08-10 18:00 | Play Therapy Colorado, 2845 Wilderness Place, Suite 208, Boulder, CO, 80301, United States
Join one of our regularly-held, six-day intensive for Masters-level therapists (or equivalent) and clinicians. Jump in and really experience the magic of Synergetic Play Therapy! We limit this Play Therapy Training Program to four people in order to permit extensive skill practice with individualized coaching and feedback. Each participant will be paired with a child client, with whom they will work every day during the training, under direct supervision as part of a therapeutic observation team.
Six-Day Synergetic Play Therapy 0bjectives:

Understand some of the neuroscience behind identifying a child’s states of dysregulation and how these influence the symptoms and play in the playroom
Learn how Synergetic Play Therapy tools such as the Nervous System Chart, The Process of Change, and explaining the Synergetic Play Therapy Stages can help a parent understand the play therapy process and keep them engaged
Begin to understand how to identify a child’s emotional age in their play
Understand how mindfulness and self-awareness in the playroom is an essential component to helping widen a child’s emotional window of tolerance
Understand how to work with parents in the play therapy process and keep them engaged
Understand how to use boundaries to help reduce emotional flooding and overwhelm in both the child and the therapist, as well as how to set them without shaming or shutting down the child’s play
Understand the projective process and how children engage in “The Set Up” as a way to integrate their perceptions of what is challenging them
Understand how the therapist’s authenticity and attunement supports the attachment process in play therapy
Understand the importance of being regulated in the midst of challenging play as an essential component of becoming the child’s external regulator in the playroom
Understand how to use regulation to support a child’s ability to learn how to regulate during a play therapy session

Prerequisite Training:

Participants should have completed or be enrolled in a Master’s Degree (or equivalent) program in counseling, social work, or education.
Previous experience working with children and families is also required.
A basic understanding of play therapy and play therapy skills is required.

For availability and registration details, please contact the Institute at 720-458-9597 or email info@playtherapycolorado.com.

3rd Biennial Childhood Trauma Conference
2018-08-01 11:30 - 13:00 | Melbourne Convention Centre, 1 Convention Centre Pl, South Wharf VIC 3006, Australia
Presented by the Australian Childhood Foundation, this conference features internationally renowned practitioners and major authors in the field of trauma and neuroscience. Come experience innovative, practical and translatable ways of working with creative arts, sand tray, play, attachment-based dynamics, movement and sensorimotor intervention.
Join Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S, on August 1 for a 1.5-hour presentation on The Need for An External Regulator During Traumatic Play.
Register here.

Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy Live Webinar and Release of Sixth Video
2018-07-17 14:00 - 15:00
Synergetic Play Therapy will take you on a journey to deeply understand yourself. With an emphasis on therapist authenticity, SPT is designed to help therapists birth their authentic selves so that they can help their child clients do the same. SPT recognizes that therapist authenticity and attunement in the playroom is integral to the healing of the child.
The six-month course includes three, one-hour LIVE webinars with Lisa Dion, six 2.5-hour recorded videos and monthly 30-minute consultations with an SPT Supervisor/Consultant to help you integrate what you are learning.
Learn more here.

Six-Day Synergetic Play Therapy Intensive - July 7-13 (One Day Break in Middle)
2018-07-07 09:00 - 2018-07-13 18:00 | Play Therapy Colorado, 2845 Wilderness Place, Suite 208, Boulder, CO, 80301, United States

Six-Day Synergetic Play Therapy Intensive - June 16-18 and 20-22
2018-06-16 09:00 - 2018-06-22 18:00

5th Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy Video Released
2018-06-15

Lessons from the Playroom Webinar - Working with Siblings in Play Therapy
2018-06-12 14:00 - 15:00
The Play Therapy Institute of Colorado’s “Lessons From the Playroom” webinar is a series of FREE, LIVE webinars designed to offer a larger piece of the little lessons kids teach us inside the playroom. Log on to interact with Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S for an hour of power, purpose, and perspective. Ask questions, join the discussion, and gain professional and personal insight.
The June 12th topic is Working with Siblings in Play Therapy.
Register today!

Naropa Alumni Event
2018-06-02 12:00 - 19:30 | Naropa, 6287 Arapahoe Ave, Boulder, CO, 80301, United States
Lisa will be speaking at Naropa’s Passing the Torch alumni event, an event dedicated to giving graduates a chance to connect, network, and develop professionally.
Her workshop is on: The Need for An External Regulator During Traumatic Play.
Without the ability of the therapist to become the external regulator for the intensity that arises during trauma play, both the child and the therapist are at risk for high levels of nervous system dis-regulation. This can significantly impact a therapist’s longevity in the field, as well as the ability to stay present and attuned. This presentation explores how to facilitate the integration of trauma in children (and adults) in the playroom.
To learn more about this event or register, please go here.

Preteens and Teens in Play Therapy - Live or Webinar
2018-06-02 09:00 - 12:00 | Best Western Plus Boulder Inn, 770 28th St., Boulder, CO, 80303, United States
On June 2nd, we will host a 3-hour workshop dedicated to older children. Come learn when to apply directive or non-directive play therapy, how to work with older children, and the most important goals to set when working with this population.
Pre-teens and Teens in Play Therapy Objectives:

Understand when it might be helpful to apply non-directive and directive play therapy interventions with pre-teens and teens in play therapy
Understand how to bring Synergetic Play Therapy principles into this population
Learn the most important goal when applying play therapy to your work with pre-teens and teens

This class is LIVE or LIVE WEBINAR.
Sign up here: https://learn.playtherapycolorado.com/product/pre-teens-and-teens-in-play-therapy/

Growing Up in Play Therapy
2018-06-01 09:00 - 16:00 | Best Western Plus Boulder Inn, 770 28th St., Boulder, CO, 80303, United States
Join us as we go back in time and revisit the early stages of human development and how they impact the play therapy process. During this six-hour workshop you will learn to recognize each stage within your child client and yourself, so that you can begin to assess a child’s emotional age versus their chronological age. Knowing this information is a crucial part of understanding what type of intervention to make and how to conceptualize what is happening for the child. Participants will also gain a better understanding on how to track a child’s progress and how to identify empowerment in the play therapy process, so that they can feel more confident communicating this information to the child’s parents and teachers. Case studies, videos and experiential exercises will be used to integrate this information into the play therapy process. Play Therapy Institute of Colorado – Home of Synergetic Play Therapy Founder Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S, will be teaching this course.
Register here.

Partnering with Parents in Play Therapy
2018-05-18 | Hinsdale, Illinois
During the play therapy process, play therapists have the challenging task of helping parents understand what play therapy is and how it works while keeping them invested.
In this thought-provoking yet practical full-day workshop, therapists will explore what it really takes to partner with parents.
Through new skills, insights and a framework rooted in relationship theory, therapists are guaranteed to leave feeling inspired to work with parents!
Learn more or sign up here. Attend in person or via webinar.
And check out the promo video below:

https://playtherapycolorado.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Partnering-With-Parents-in-Play-Therapy-_-Training-with-Lisa-Dion.mp4

4th Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy Video Released
2018-05-18

Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy Live Webinar
2018-05-15 14:00 - 15:00

Lessons from the Playroom Webinar - Speaking the Client's Language: Putting the Process Ahead of Mechanics
2018-05-14 12:00 - 13:00
The Play Therapy Institute of Colorado’s “Lessons From the Playroom” webinar is a series of FREE, LIVE webinars designed to offer a larger piece of the little lessons kids teach us inside the playroom. Log on to interact with Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S for an hour of power, purpose, and perspective. Ask questions, join the discussion, and gain professional and personal insight.
The May 14th topic is Speaking the Client’s Language: Putting the Process Ahead of Mechanics with special guest Dr. Jessica Stone, Ph.D., RPT-S.
Register today!

Alberta Play Therapy Association Spring Conference
2018-05-04 - 2018-05-05 | Rossdale Community Centre, 901 11 Ave NW, Calgary, AB, T2M 0C2, Canada
Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach for Integrating Intensity
This 2 day workshop is conducted by Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S and designed to help play therapists understand aggressive play from a neuro-biological perspective. With the help of neuroscience, interpersonal neurobiology, and a Synergetic Play Therapy framework therapists will learn how to effectively work with this type of play in a way that supports nervous system regulation, reorganization of the child’s lower centers of the brain and decreases compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma. This fun 2 day workshop will take participants to new possibilities as they explore a science based process for working with children at the deepest, most profound levels while staying safe and sane. They will learn the art of sword fighting, gun play, bop bag play, and more while understanding what it takes to maximize growth and integration for their clients and for themselves.
Register here.

3rd Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy Video Released
2018-04-20

Lessons from the Playroom Webinar
2018-04-17 14:00 - 15:00
The Play Therapy Institute of Colorado’s “Lessons From the Playroom” webinar is a series of FREE, LIVE webinars designed to offer a larger piece of the little lessons kids teach us inside the playroom. Log on to interact with Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S for an hour of power, purpose, and perspective. Ask questions, join the discussion, and gain professional and personal insight.
Stay tuned for the April 17th topic.

SPT in Schools - Boulder Journey
2018-04-07
A presentation for teachers and educators on behaviors in the classroom.
If you’re interested in a presentation such as this, please contact us at info@playtherapycolorado.com.

Lessons from the Playroom Webinar
2018-03-19 12:00 - 13:00
The Play Therapy Institute of Colorado’s “Lessons From the Playroom” webinar is a series of FREE, LIVE webinars designed to offer a larger piece of the little lessons kids teach us inside the playroom. Log on to interact with Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S for an hour of power, purpose, and perspective. Ask questions, join the discussion, and gain professional and personal insight.
Stay tuned for the March 19th topic is Parents in the Playroom.
Register here.

2nd Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy Video Released
2018-03-16

Six-Day Synergetic Play Therapy Intensive - March 9-11 and 16-18
2018-03-09 09:00 - 2018-03-18 18:00 | Play Therapy Colorado, 2845 Wilderness Place, Suite 208, Boulder, CO, 80301, United States

North Carolina Association for Play Therapy Spring Conference - Keynote Speaker
2018-03-09 - 2018-03-10 | Center for Community Leadership, 711 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27603
The Neurobiology of Play Therapy: A Synergetic Approach for Integrating Aggression and Trauma at the NCAPT Conference
Presented by: Lisa Dion, M.A., LPC, RPT-S
Program Description
This two-day workshop is designed to help play therapists understand aggressive play from a neurobiological perspective. With the help of neuroscience, interpersonal neurobiology, and a Synergetic Play Therapy framework therapists will learn how to effectively work with this type of play in a way that supports nervous system regulation, reorganization of the child’s lower centers of the brain and decreases compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma.
This fun two-day workshop will take participants to new possibilities as they explore a science-based process for working with children at the deepest, most profound levels while staying safe and sane. They will learn the art of sword fighting, gun play, bop bag play, and more while understanding what it takes to maximize growth and integration for their clients and for themselves.
Get more details or sign up here.

A Neurobiological Approach to Using Sand in Play Therapy
2018-03-02 08:00 - 15:30 | DOUBLETREE SAN FRANCISCO AIRPORT, 835 AIRPORT BLVD, Burlingame, CA, 94010
In this workshop, you will have a one of kind experience as you explore a new and fresh way of using sand non-directively in your play therapy sessions. You will be introduced to using sand through the lens of Synergetic Play Therapy, the first research-informed play therapy model to blend together neuroscience, attachment/attunement, therapist authenticity, physics, emotional congruence, nervous system regulation, and mindfulness. Through didactic and experiential teachings, you will learn cutting-edge research on interpersonal neurobiology, mindfulness, nervous system regulation, and brain development as the research is translated into innovative ways of using the sand to help re-pattern your child client’s nervous systems. You will also learn what it means to attach to one’s self as the cornerstone for all healing, the importance of congruent emotional expression in the playroom, how to identify types of dysregulation in the child’s sand trays, how to model regulating activities, and ultimately how to re-pattern a child’s nervous system while taking care of your own nervous system to prevent vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue.
