Prescriptive Play Therapy for Attachment Wounds

Play therapists are often at loss when treating attachment wounds. We will take a prescriptive approach to play therapy treatment of attachment wounds, using neurosequential thinking and play therapy techniques and attachment-focused modalities to support gradual change.  Our goal will be for clinicians to increase the intentional use of the self in these encounters with children (and their caregivers).

We will also focus on developing an in-depth case formulation and treatment plan and apply Child-Centered, Gestalt and other play therapy approaches within a prescriptive framework based on the current literature on polyvagal theory, developmental trauma and attachment and discuss the complications therapists may encounter in using trauma approaches to heal “attachment trauma”. Inviting the family/caregivers into these attachment focused play therapy activities will increase their ability to mentalize for the child and allow for improved relationships at home, school and in the community.

Objectives

1. Describe at least three aspects of combining an in-depth attachment history with unfolding narratives and dynamics within play therapy sessions to assess for early attachment wounds and disruptions.

2. Utilize animal archetypes to identify 8 adaptation strategies children use to cope with complex trauma and explore ways to employ these in the playroom.

3. Describe the key components to a prescriptive play therapy treatment plan for attachment wounds

4. Analyze themes of play to amplify and suggest metaphors for gradually approaching traumatic material as a way of assessing the attachment and pre-verbal trauma targets

5. Utilize 3 play therapy interventions which apply neurobiology and therapeutic presence in the playroom to activate the conditions for interpersonal safety

6. Utilize a play-based storytelling method within a play therapy context to heal attachment wounds and preverbal traumas

Location: Riviera Beach Marina Village Event Center

Date and Time: October 17th, 2025. 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM.

Cost: $150 (Get 20% off EARLY BIRD Discount! Earn 6 Contact APT CEs).

This will be a LIVE, in-person workshop. Participants must attend the entire presentation and will be awarded LIVE CONTACT APT CE's upon successful completion of a post test. Approved by APT for 6 LIVE CONTACT APT CE Hours & Florida LMHC, LMFT & LCSW CEU's.

Discounts are also available for groups of 10+ people!

Student discounts available! Please email to welearnplay@centerforchildcounseling.org with your name, school, and request for a 30% student discount code.

Presenters: Ann Beckley Forest, LCSW-R, RPT-S, EMDR Certified Therapist and Consultant - Click Here for Bio.

Workshop Agenda

• 9:00am-10:30am Module 1 - Attachment Theory and playroom application
• 10:30am-10:45am break
• 10:45am-12:15pm Module 2 - Prescriptive play therapy and case formulation worksheet, mentalization, child centered approaches
• 12:15pm-1:15pm Lunch
• 1:15pm-2:45pm Module 3 - Play therapy prescriptions and neurosequential thinking, building internal resources 
• 2:45pm-3:00pm break
• 3:00pm-4:30pm Module 4 - Use of storytelling in trauma processing – Creating an attachment story for a client
• 4:30pm Goodbyes

Workshop Cancellation and Refund Policy 

• All cancellations must be made at least 10 days prior to the scheduled workshop. Registered participants who provide proper notice (10 days or more) will be credited, minus a 25% workshop fee. For registered participants who cancel less than 10 days prior to the workshops, credit towards a future workshop will be provided. This credit must be used within 1 year of the original workshop date (no cash refunds). The registered participant may invite another person to substitute their place in the workshop (in which they are registered) at any time at no charge.
• You may cancel by emailing welearnplay@centerforchildcounseling.org 
• No shows or missed workshops will not receive a refund or credit.

Center for Child Counseling is approved by the Florida Board of Licensed Clinical Social Workers, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists, and Licensed Mental Health Counselors: Provider #50-11511. 

Center for Child Counseling is an approved provider of Play Therapy Continuing Education through the Association for Play Therapy, which has developed policies, standards, and the credentialing for the practice of Play Therapy. APT Approved Provider #09-263.

*Play therapy credit may not be awarded to non-mental health professionals.