About this event

Integrating parents into the therapeutic process is one of the most challenging yet crucial aspects of working with children. Research consistently demonstrates that achieving meaningful change in a child’s behavior and emotional well-being requires active parent engagement and support.

This workshop will identify and explore the critical components necessary for fostering parent involvement and ”buy in” to the play therapy process. Participants will learn strategies to enhance collaboration with parents, address common barriers to engagement, and create a unified approach to supporting the child’s growth and healing.

In addition, we will discuss the pros and cons to inviting parents into the play with the child and how to structure this in a way that is therapeutically beneficial.

Objectives

1. Effectively communicate the principles of play therapy to parents

• Learners will be able to explain play therapy concepts in a clear, relatable way that promotes parent understanding, encourages their buy-in, and strengthens their commitment to their child’s therapeutic process.

2. Discuss a child’s play with parents while maintaining confidentiality

• Learners will demonstrate strategies for sharing meaningful insights about a child’s emotional challenges with parents, balancing transparency and confidentiality to build trust and motivate parental support.

3. Differentiate therapist and parent roles in the therapeutic process

• Learners will identify and articulate the distinct but complementary roles of therapists and parents, emphasizing the importance of active parental involvement in facilitating meaningful change.

4. Set clear boundaries and expectations with parents to enhance accountability

• Learners will apply techniques to clearly communicate expectations and boundaries with parents, fostering parental responsibility and improving follow-through in supporting the child’s therapy

Agenda

September 5th, 2005 

8:45 - 9:00 am - Registration

9:00 - 10:30 am - Workshop

10:30 -10:45 am - Break

10:45- 12:15 pm - Workshop

12:15-1:15 pm - Lunch on your own

1:15 - 2:45 pm - Workshop

2:45 - 3:00 pm - Break

3:00 - 4:30 pm - Workshop

4:30 pm - Adjourn

About the Presenter

Melissa Wetterlund is a Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, and Registered Play Therapist- Supervisor. As a therapist, her goal is to help facilitate the process of emotional and spiritual growth for individuals, couples, and families. Melissa comes from a systems perspective that utilizes a relational approach to assist growth and change. Melissa’s specialties include marriage and family therapy, play therapy, parent education, divorce, blended families, adoption, trauma, and somatic experiencing.

Melissa also enjoys educating and training in the areas of play therapy, parenting, adoption, divorce transitions, and other couple and family issues. She teaches at and developed the play therapy certificate at Bethel University and as well as teaching at Crown College. She also hosts private trainings in the area of Somatic Experiential Play Therapy and speaks often on various topics regarding play therapy and parent education/ coaching.

As an AAMFT and BBHT approved supervisor, Melissa spends a lot of her time mentoring and supervising other therapists. She also loves supporting and equipping other supervisors as an AAMFT supervision mentor.

Continuing Education

This event will receive 6 contact CEs from the Association for Play Therapy. Melissa Wetterlund is APT Approved Provider #16-465

Continuing Education certificates will be provided to document attendance and participation.

This organization, Encompass Mental Health and approval ID #1065, is approved as a provider for continuing education by the: South Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners.