Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy®
- Grow as a therapist with our signature program
- Create deeper impact for your clients
- Unlock your full potential as a therapist
Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy®
- Grow as a therapist with our signature program
- Create deeper impact for your clients
- Unlock your full potential as a therapist
Join Our Signature Program and Grow as a Clinician
In Person
Our In-Person Program includes:
- 3-days in-person
- 2 additional one-hour video lessons for cultural competency
- A book review (Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity by Lisa Dion)
- Monthly group consultations with a Synergetic Play Therapy Consultant
Online
Our six-month Online Program includes:
- 3 one-hour LIVE webinars with Lisa Dion
- Six 2.5-hour recorded videos
- 2 additional one-hour video lessons for cultural competency
- A book review (Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach to Integrating Intensity by Lisa Dion)
- Monthly group consultations with a Synergetic Play Therapy Consultant
Upcoming Sessions
Open for Registration Now
January 2026 • Online
(More to come for 2026 – Stay tuned!)
What You'll Learn
Regulation
- Become an external regulator to support children with integration and repatterning the activation of their nervous systems
- Support healing at deeper levels through right brain to right brain attuned communication
- Learn how to teach children interoceptive (body) awareness (key for self-regulation and co-regulation)
- Understand how the activation of the nervous system is linked to all mental health symptoms
- Turn transference and countertransference in the therapeutic process from foe to friend
The Brain & Neuroscience
- Support children to integrate the events in their lives that they perceive as challenging
- Create a neuroception of safety for a child when emotional flooding happens
- Learn how to set boundaries with the brain in mind so as not to minimize, shame or shut down the child's play, but keep them engaged in their therapy process
- Learn reflections and responses that support multiple areas of a child's brain for integration
- Understand the role of dual-attention and dual-awareness to support your capacity to go deeper with your clients
Collaborative Relationships
- Build collaborative relationships with caregivers to support their child’s therapeutic process
- Help caregivers understand that ALL behavior make sense
- Learn how to more effectively set goals, track a child's therapeutic process, and translate what's happening during the child's therapy session to their caregiver(s) and others in their world
- Recognize the difference between the child's emotional and chronological age and learn how to communicate to caregivers when a child has reached empowerment
Authenticity & Congruence
- Deepen your understanding of attachment theory and learn ways to help children develop a secure attachment to themselves (a foundation for resilience)
- Explore Synergetic Play Therapy and its concepts from a cultural lens, in order to cultivate a more inclusive and culturally sensitive clinical orientation where your client's unique experiences and needs are honored
- Experience aggressive play, sand, and art from the perspectives of nervous system regulation, attunement, attachment, mindfulness and authenticity
- Use therapist authenticity and congruence as a way to support a client in experiencing deeper change and healing (...because inauthenticity is the fastest way to burnout and compassion fatigue)
How Our Program is Structured
What Makes Synergetic Play Therapy Different
Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy
|
Other Introduction to Play Therapy Programs | |
|---|---|---|
Hours of continuing education
|
32 hours of continuing education | 10-20 hours or less of continuing education |
Online or In-Person
|
Includes online or in-person | Includes online or in-person |
Integration of knowledge
|
Integration of knowledge with 6 months of learning & time to practice | Integration of knowledge during one or two day training |
Consultation
|
6 months of group consultation included | Consultation is a separate payment |
Additional resources
|
Additional book review, supplementary video lessons & demonstrations | Standard in-classroom materials |
Focus
|
Focuses on both the child and the therapist for deeper healing and transformation | Focuses primarily on either child OR therapist |
What Our Students Say
Join the 4,000+ mental health professionals and those in related roles from over 30 countries who have studied with us.
Meet Your Teacher
Creator of Synergetic Play Therapy
Lisa Dion, MA, LPC is a Registered Play Therapy Supervisor, Certified Gestalt Therapist, Level II EMDR Practitioner, Parent Educator and Master Certified Demartini Method™ Facilitator. She is an international teacher, host of the Lessons from the Playroom podcast, creator of The Business of Therapy™, author of Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach for Integrating Intensity, and the creator of Synergetic Play Therapy, a model of play therapy bridging the gap between psychology and neuroscience.
Lisa was awarded the Association for Play Therapy’s 2015 Professional Training and Education Award of Excellence for her outstanding professional education and training that significantly developed, promoted, and advanced the value of play, play therapy, and credentialed play therapists.
As the founder and President of the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute and co-founder of the Synergetic Education Institute™, she trains and supervises therapists across the world in therapeutic skill development and business creation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I choose the online or in-person format for the Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy program?
Deciding between the online and in-person formats depends on your learning preferences and personal circumstances. Here’s what to consider:
- In-Person Format:
If you’re an experiential learner who thrives in hands-on environments, enjoys engaging in real-time role-play activities, and values face-to-face connections, the in-person format may be ideal for you. It provides the opportunity to interact with peers and SPT teachers in a dynamic group setting, fostering a sense of community and collaboration. This format is great for those who benefit from immediate feedback and immersive learning experiences. - Online Format:
The online format offers a structured yet flexible approach, perfect for those who need to balance learning with a busy schedule. The program uses a dripped format, with monthly content released in manageable portions so you can watch the material at your own pace. Additionally, this option includes three live interactions with Synergetic Play Therapy Teachers each month, providing opportunities to ask questions, engage in discussions, and deepen your understanding of the material. The program also fosters a sense of connection by bringing the group together regularly, ensuring you still experience the collaborative spirit of the SPT community.
Both formats provide the same foundational content, interactive lessons, and access to consultation, so the choice comes down to your learning style and what fits best with your current needs. Whether online or in-person, you’ll gain valuable insights and tools to enhance your work.
Do I need to attend the one-hour LIVE webinars live?
While we’d love to have you join us, you do not need to attend the LIVE webinars live. All the webinars are recorded and available to watch (or re-watch) at your leisure while you have access to the program.
How do I choose my consultation time and what if I don't reside in the United States?
You’ll have the opportunity to complete a Group Consultation Request form. Within this form, you’ll be asked to choose from a selection of times for your monthly group consultation sessions. We offer several different options to accommodate all time zones.
What happens during the monthly group consultation?
This is your time to integrate the material from the program and deepen your learning. It’s not supervision for all your clients you work with.
During consultation, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from other group members and discuss how you are applying SPT into your work/practices, share challenges and progress, and deepen your understanding of basic SPT concepts.
You’re also encouraged to explore ways that you can apply SPT to a wide range of settings including schools, mental health centers, home-based services, in your personal life, etc. (whatever is applicable to you), as well as the various populations that you interact (e.g., children, teens, families, adults).
Who will be facilitating my monthly group consultation?
The SPT Consultants are Certified Synergetic Play Therapists and Supervisors of this work. They’re incredibly knowledgeable and will be a huge asset to you throughout the program!
Does this program offer CE credits?
Yes! This program offers 25 CE credits. Upon completion of this program, students will receive a digital copy of a CE certificate, which you can download or print. The continuing education credits earned in this program may be used toward licensure credential requirements or for other professional associations. Check with your State licensing board or professional association to see how these credits may apply. To access more information about the program and the affiliations SPTI is an approved provider with, please visit our Learn website.
26 CE Credit Hours, NBCC Content Areas: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Counseling Relationship and Social and Cultural Foundations
Synergetic Play Therapy Institute has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7450. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Synergetic Play Therapy Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Synergetic Play Therapy Institute is also an Approved Provider for the following associations:
*Australian Play Therapists Association (APTA) Approved Provider
*British Columbia Play Therapy Association (BCPTA) Approved Provider 23-01
Continuing education credit hours may be awarded to graduate-level counselors or students enrolled in a graduate-level mental health program. If you do not qualify for continuing education credit hours and would like to receive a certificate of completion for this program please contact the Institute directly.
Can I attend this program if I'm not a mental health professional or do not have a play therapy background?
Yes, this program is for anyone who wants to learn the principles of Synergetic Play Therapy. It’s designed for both beginners and advanced practitioners.
Past students of the course have included school counselors, teachers, occupational therapists, coaches, and child life specialists, to name a few. The principles of SPT can be applied not only to our relationship with children, but also with teens and adults, and even ourselves!
*Please note that credit can only be awarded to graduate students enrolled in a graduate mental health program or individuals who hold a graduate mental health degree. If you’re not a mental health professional and would like to receive a certificate of completion, you may contact the Institute at the end of the course. Please contact your appropriate association to find out if they will accept your certificate of completion.
I would like to complete the Synergetic Play Therapy Certification program. Where do I start?
You’re in the right place! A pre-requisite of the level 2 Synergetic Play Therapy Certification program is completion of a level 1 Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy course (online or in-person). Throughout the program, we’ll provide you with more information about the certification program and support you in applying.
Is the price in US dollars?
Yes, all of our pricing is listed in US dollars.
Do you offer monthly payment options, student discounts or scholarships?
Yes, we offer a monthly payment option for this program. Find details under the Cost section on the program page.
We do not offer a student discount, but the Synergetic Play Therapy Foundation awards scholarships two times per year. Our scholarships are available to clinicians who have a financial need such that they could not pursue play therapy training without a scholarship.
*The SPT Foundation does not discriminate based on rage, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, religious orientation, etc. to receive the funds.