The Neurobiology of Play Therapy: A Synergetic Approach – Lisa Dion

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Play Therapy Can Do SO MUCH MORE Than We Thought

This workshop provides an exciting and unique opportunity to explore the basic components of play therapy from a neurobiology perspective. You will be introduced to Synergetic Play Therapy, the first research-informed play therapy model to blend together neuroscience, attachment/attunement, therapist authenticity, physics, emotional congruence, nervous system regulation, and mindfulness. Through didactic and experiential teachings, you will learn cutting­edge research on interpersonal neurobiology, mindfulness, nervous system regulation and brain development as the research is translated into practical ways of working with children and parents.

You will discover what it means to attach to one’s self as the cornerstone for all healing, the importance of congruent emotional expression in the play room, how to identify types of dysregulation in the playroom, how to model regulating activities to the client, how to talk to and involve parents, and ultimately how to re-pattern a child’s nervous system through the play therapy process. Aggressive play will also be covered from the perspective of nervous system regulation, attunement, and mindfulness. Finally, you will also see how to track a client’s changes in a simple, yet comprehensive way.

1. Describe the importance of understanding neurobiology when working with children in the play therapy setting
2. Determine how to use neuroscience to support the integration of aggressive play and reduce compassion fatigue in play therapy
3. Explain the projective process and “The Set Up/The Offering” in Synergetic Play Therapy
4. Identify the stages that a child moves through in Synergetic Play Therapy
5. Describe strategies for engaging children and their parents in therapy while maintaining a therapeutic environment
6. Consider the ethical implications and clinical limitations of using play therapy in clinical practice

Get The Neurobiology of Play Therapy: A Synergetic Approach of author Lisa Dion

UNDERSTANDING THE BRAIN

• Reptilian brain
• Diencephalon
• Limbic brain
• Amygdala and 4 threats of the brain
• Hippocampus
• Pre-frontal cortex

UNDERSTANDING NERVOUS SYSTEM STATES

• Sympathetic branch
• Dorsal vagal parasympathetic branch
• Symptoms in the play therapy and diagnosis
• Working with aggression in the playroom

NERVOUS SYSTEM REGULATION

• What regulation is, and isn’t
• Ventral Vagal Parasympathetic branch
• The role of the play therapist as the external regulator
• How to become the external regulator
• Use of neuroscience to prevent compassion fatigue

THE PROJECTIVE PROCESS IN PLAY THERAPY

• Exploring projection and “The Set Up/The Offering” in Synergetic Play Therapy
• Exploring interoception
• Video demonstrations

CHARTING AND UNDERSTANDING THE PLAY THERAPY PROCESS

• The stages in Synergetic Play Therapy (SPT)
• Working with parents
• Tracking empowerment and integration
• Video examples

Get The Neurobiology of Play Therapy: A Synergetic Approach of author Lisa Dion