| 📅 June 29 🕘 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM 📍 The Heart Leaf Center 11166 Fairfax Blvd., Suite 207 Fairfax, VA 22030 ✨ In-Person Training | 3 CE Hours Training Overview This training focuses on building effective and collaborative relationships with parents and caregivers throughout the play therapy process, beginning with intake and initial engagement. Participants will learn how to explain the purpose and process of play therapy using developmentally appropriate, parent-friendly language while addressing common concerns, expectations, and misconceptions. The training will also explore strategies for managing parent responses during treatment, including anxiety, urgency, resistance, and boundary challenges, while maintaining a strong therapeutic alliance. Participants will review best practices for ongoing parent meetings and learn how to ethically and effectively communicate therapeutic progress and play themes in strengths-based ways aligned with Child-Centered Play Therapy principles. Through discussion and role-play activities, clinicians will practice communication skills, reflective responses, and psychoeducation techniques that enhance parent understanding, engagement, and support of the child’s therapeutic work. Learning Objectives Participants will be able to:
- Describe key components of the parent intake meeting, including how to explain the play therapy process.
- Identify strategies for managing common parent responses throughout play therapy treatment.
- Demonstrate effective parent meeting skills, including sharing play themes and treatment progress in a strengths-based manner.
Training Schedule 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM --- Structuring the Parent Intake Process 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM -- Strategies for Working Effectively with Parents 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM -- Presenting Play Therapy Information and Progress to Parents Presenter Bio Liza Fitzgerald, MSW, earned her Master’s degree in Social Work from George Mason University in 2023 with a clinical focus on children and families. During her graduate training, she received specialized training in Child-Centered Play Therapy. Liza enjoys working alongside children, teens, parents, couples, and families to help them navigate challenges, strengthen relationships, and foster emotional growth. As a military spouse, she also brings valuable insight and experience supporting military children, parents, and families through the unique transitions and stressors they may face. |
