Details

This six-day training will take place in two three-day segments

Segment 1 - September 2025

9/25, 9/26, 9/27

Segment 2 - November 2025

11/13, 11/14, 11/15

Presenter

Demi Banchs, MA, LPC, RPT™

Program Description

This training explores the core concepts of integrating play therapy with a neurobiologically respectful, “bottom-up” approach to healing. Participants will learn how to assess neurodevelopmental needs and create targeted, neurosequential treatment plans that align with the brain’s natural patterns of development and regulation. Grounded in attachment-informed and trauma-responsive care and guided by core neurobiological principles, this training supports healing and positive development across all brain regions and functions. Through hands-on learning, therapists will gain practical tools to identify and address the root of behaviors and promote lasting, meaningful change.

Learning Objectives

1. Differentiate between bottom-up and top-down approaches in play therapy and identify clinical indicators for selecting each approach.

2. Describe bottom-up development and its relevance to play therapy.

3. Explain the sequence in which the brain processes input.

4. Identify the general functions of major brain regions.

5. Explain the sequence of engagement and its role in attuned therapeutic responses in play therapy.

6. Discuss behavior as a form of communication and identify how this framework guides play therapy assessment and treatment planning.

7. List and describe the steps to providing an attuned response within a play therapy session.

8. Name and describe the eight sensory systems and how various play therapy interventions utilize these senses.

9. Identify factors that influence a child’s experience of adversity and integrate these into trauma-informed play therapy conceptualization.

10. Describe the differences between patterns of stress that lead to resilience or increased vulnerability.

11. Define the “therapeutic web” and explain how it enhances connection, collaboration, and treatment effectiveness in the play therapy treatment planning process.

12. Describe the steps to treatment planning.

13. Discuss cultural considerations in treatment planning.

14. Explain the rationale for conducting thorough assessment in play therapy.

15. Identify three types of assessment used in play therapy and determine when each is appropriate.

16. Demonstrate two play-based strategies for assessing sensory preferences in play therapy.

17. Conceptualize assessment data through a neurodevelopmental lens to guide play therapy treatment planning.

18. Demonstrate the ability to identify and utilize the strengths of the child and their family in the play therapy treatment planning process to support resilience and engagement.

19. Demonstrate the ability to sequence treatment goals and objectives in a neurodevelopmentally respectful order during play therapy treatment planning.

20. Identify interventions aligned with the developmental capabilities of each major brain region and develop play therapy activities that match each region’s language.

21. Identify appropriate directive and non-directive play therapy interventions from an integrative perspective.

22. Align play therapy intervention implementation with Bruce Perry’s 6 R’s to promote healing and engagement.

23. Describe how state-dependent functioning influences a child’s capacity to engage in play therapy and adjust interventions accordingly.

24. Discuss at least three methods for evaluating progress in play therapy.

25. Explain the rationale behind clinical decision-making in the play therapy treatment planning process in a way that supports caregiver understanding, collaboration, and trust.

CE Credit

Play Therapy

36 APT Contact CE Credits

This event is sponsored by Children’s Trauma Healing Center. Children’s Trauma Healing Center is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to play therapy (APT Approved Provider No. 24-749).

Play therapy credit available to mental health professionals & graduate students in a mental health program.

Social Work

For information regarding social work CEs, please contact Demi Banchs, demi@cthcnj.com.

Please contact us with any questions regarding continuing education credit eligibility.

Play Therapy Primary Areas of Instruction

• Play Therapy Skills and Methods

• Play Therapy Special Topics

Program Schedule

8:45 am - 9:00 am --- Sign-In

9:00 am - 10:30 am --- Program

10:30 am - 10:45 am --- Break

10:45 am - 12:15 pm --- Program

12:15 pm - 12:45 pm --- Lunch

12:45 pm - 2:15 pm --- Program

2:15 pm - 2:30 pm --- Break

2:30 pm - 4:00 pm --- Program

4:00 pm - 4:15 pm --- Sign-Out

Accommodations for the Differently Abled

Children's Trauma Healing Center's training facility is handicap accessible. Individuals needing special accommodations, please contact Demi Banchs, demi@cthcnj.com.

Disclosure Statement

At Children’s Trauma Healing Center, we prioritize transparency and integrity in our continuing education programs. Demi Banchs, serves as the presenter, reviewer, and administrator for all programs offered here, which allows us to maintain consistent quality across program content and delivery. This disclosure is provided to ensure full transparency for our participants regarding my roles.

Additionally:

• Children’s Trauma Healing Center discloses any commercial support or financial relationships related to the program content, instructors, or organization affiliations at the start of each program.

• Any additional affiliations or interests that may impact the content or structure of this program will also be communicated to participants.

This approach aligns with our commitment to fostering a fair, unbiased, and high-quality learning environment for all participants at Children’s Trauma Healing Center.

Discount Opportunities

We’re committed to making high-quality training accessible to those supporting children and families. A limited number of discounted registrations are available for the programs listed. All discounts require approval prior to registration and must be obtained by contacting us directly.

Group Discount

For teams from the same organization:

10% off for groups of 3–4 participants

15% off for groups of 5 or more participants

To qualify, participants must register together.

Student Discount

Students currently enrolled in a master’s-level graduate program in a mental health profession (e.g., professional counseling, school counseling, social work) are eligible for a 15% discount.

Proof of current enrollment is required.

Service-Based Discount

Therapists are eligible for a 20% discount if they meet any of the following:

• Accept Medicaid clients

• Work in a nonprofit setting clinically serving children and families

• Serve as a school counselor or social worker in a Title I school

Verification of employment or licensure status may be requested.

To inquire about a group, student, or service-based discount, please contact us, demi@cthcnj.com, prior to registering. If approved, you’ll receive a custom discount code to apply at checkout.

Discounted spots are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please note: Discounts cannot be combined. If eligible for multiple discounts, the highest applicable discount will be applied. Previously provided coupons for attending workshops cannot be combined with other discounts.

Policies

Cancellation & Refund Policy

For live programs, all refund requests must be submitted in writing no later than 30 days before the program’s start date.

Every effort will be made to achieve resolution, including, but not limited to: a refund of fees (excluding the processing fee but including the ticket service fee), substitution of the purchased program, or a credit toward future programs.

Please contact Demi Banchs, demi@cthcnj.com for additional information.

Grievance and Refund Policy

Children’s Trauma Healing Center (CTHC) is fully committed to conducting all activities in strict conformance with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles of Psychologists (APA), and the National Board of Certified Counselors Code of Ethics (NBCC). CTHC will comply with all legal and ethical responsibilities to be non-discriminatory in promotional activities, program content and in the treatment of program participants. The monitoring and assessment of compliance with these standards will be the responsibility of the Director.

While CTHC goes to great lengths to assure fair treatment for all participants and attempts to anticipate problems, it recognizes that complaints do and will arise. CTHC will do its best to anticipate problems and, when they do present themselves, will attempt to alleviate complaints as quickly as possible.

When a complaint, either verbally or written, is filed with the Director, the following guidelines are followed with respect to achieving resolution:

1. If the complaint is relative to a speaker or workshop leader, contents of instructional materials being presented, or an individual educational style being utilized, the individual voicing disapproval is requested to first address concerns to the presenter. If the presenter is not available, the complainant should place their comments in writing. The Director will convey these comments to the speaker while maintaining the confidentiality of the complainant.

2. If the complaint concerns a continuing education activity, its content, level of presentation, or facilities in which the event is being held, the Director will attempt to resolve the matter as expeditiously as possible. If the offered resolution (which may include, but is not limited to, a partial/full refund of fees paid or credit toward a future event) is not satisfactory to the individual filing the complaint, further action may be taken.

In such instances, the individual is requested to place their complaint in writing to the attention of the Director, Children’s Trauma Healing Center. A written response will be issued within 30 days of receipt of the written complaint. The decision of the Director is final.