The Playful Heart Conference : Anne Stewart, PhD, RPT-S

Participants will explore how attachment theory informs effective play therapy practice and enhances caregiver-child relationships. This experiential workshop is designed for play therapists seeking to deepen their understanding of attachment-informed interventions and strengthen their clinical work with children and families through a play therapy lens. The workshop will examine key attachment theory constructs, including secure base, safe haven, and reflective functioning, and their application within play therapy settings to support emotional regulation, connection, and resilience.

Grounded in attachment theory and play therapy, this training integrates current research findings with practical, experiential learning opportunities. Through creative activities, expressive interventions, discussion, and hands-on practice, participants will learn ways to incorporate attachment-informed concepts into play therapy treatment. Attendees will also explore children's literature and therapeutic activities that promote healthy attachment and strengthen caregiver-child interactions.

Objectives

1. Describe at least three attachment theory constructs (secure base, safe haven, and reflective functioning) and their relevance to play therapy practice.
2. Identify at least three research findings that support the application of attachment theory within play therapy interventions.
3. Demonstrate at least three experiential play therapy activities designed to promote attachment security and strengthen caregiver-child relationships.
4. Apply attachment-informed play therapy interventions that incorporate the concepts of secure base, safe haven, and reflective functioning into clinical case examples.
5. Utilize at least three children's books in play therapy and explain the attachment theory concept represented by each resource.
6. Design one attachment-informed play therapy intervention that can be implemented to enhance caregiver-child interactions and emotional connection.

Presenter: Anne Stewart, PhD, RPT-S

Where: In-Person - The Moose lodge 3529 Chain Bridge Rd. Fairfax, VA 22030

When: Friday, September, 26, 2026

Presentation: 1:15pm-4:30pm ET

Cost: Early Bird (ends 8/14 at 11:59pm) $80.00, Regular Rate $90.00

Student: $40.00 (With VALID ID). Send to CELESTE@crossroadsfamilycc.com 

Target Audience: Social Workers, Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists and Play Therapists.

Schedule:

1:15 PM – 2:45 PM Presentation, Attachment Theory Concepts, and Research Findings

2:45 PM – 3:00 PM Break

3:00 PM – 4:15 PM Experiential Play Therapy Activities, Children's Literature Review, and Role Play Practice

4:15 PM – 4:30 PM Conclusion, Questions, and Discussion

CE INFO:  This event has been approved by APT, NBCC and ASWB for 3.00 CE Hours.

• This will be a live in person meeting.  This workshop meets APT’s definition of in person Contact hours. Participants may ask and answer questions throughout the presentation and participate in instructor-led discussion.
• Participants must be present for the entire training and will be awarded contact CE's upon successful completion of a course evaluation at the end of training.
• CFCC is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to play therapy. CFCC maintains responsibility for the program. APT Approved Provider 13-360.
• CFCC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7493. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CFCC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
• CFCC provider #2347, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 10/04/2025–10/04/2026. Social workers completing this course receive 3 general continuing education credits.