Research in interpersonal neurobiology validates the importance of nonverbal and affective experiences in fostering attachment. The relationship between parent and child is fundamental to the child’s socio-emotional development and emergence of self. The therapeutic journey unfolds in the embrace of the relationship to help foster the dyad’s capacity for repair, restoration, and transformation.  Therapists face decision points in the therapeutic process that influence the reparative work. These decisions will be based on how attuned and present therapists are to the parent and child’s subjective feeling experience and a sense of their own efficacy and of being understood.   

The healing power of play is evidenced by its ability to regulate right brain limbic processes enhancing the “felt experience” of connectedness between child and parent. Parent-child play therapy weaves together play therapy and infant early childhood mental health practice.  It draws from attachment theory and neuroscience to help the parent and child establish crucial connections that will last a lifetime. 

This training will be fun and interactive providing an overview of the neuroscience of attachment and an array of play therapy techniques to incorporate into clinical practice. This course is an excellent introduction for those clinicians who provide services to families and their children ages 0-5. 

This course meets the qualifications for 6 hours of continuing education for LCSW’s, LMFT’s, LPCC’s and LEP’s as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and required hours in the Revised Training Guidelines and Personnel Competencies for Infant –Family and Early Childhood Mental Health: Domain 1: Knowledge