Playful Interventions in School Groups
Date:   To Be Determined
Time: To Be Determined
Location: To Be Determined
 
For any information not on this flyer, please email:
Cristal@FluentInPlayTherapy.com
 
Training Description:
This comprehensive training course is designed to equip professionals in the field of child psychology, counseling, and education with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively conduct play therapy interventions within group therapy sessions in school settings. Play therapy is a powerful tool for helping children express themselves, build social skills, and navigate emotional challenges. In this course, participants will learn how to harness the potential of play therapy within a group context to promote healthy emotional development among students.
 
About the Trainer:
Cristal Alvarado is a bilingual Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Registered Play Therapist (RPT) with an MA in Counseling Psychology and Correctional Emphasis. She currently works with at-risk youth and Hayward families at the Hayward Police Department. Cristal previously worked with First Five in East San Jose and has been practicing play therapy since 2017. Cristal provides play therapy trainings centered on culture to agencies in the San Francisco Bay Area.
 
**All instructors and staff declare that they have no known conflicts of interest.*
 
Educational Goals: 
By the end of the workshop participants will be able to: 
assess the emotional and developmental needs of students in school environments to determine appropriate group play therapy interventions.
create and facilitate therapeutic play environments that foster emotional expression and growth among students.
monitor and evaluate the progress and effectiveness of group play therapy interventions for students, ensuring evidence-based practices and positive outcomes.
 
Objectives:
Participants will be able to:
Identify 2 types of groups that can be held in school settings.
List at least 4 contraindications to providing group counseling in a school setting.
Describe 5 interventions that can be used in group counseling sessions with students.
 
Target Audience:
This is an introductory course designed for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, LEPs, pre-licensed associates, and graduate mental health students.
 
Accomodations:
To request accommodations for special needs, please email the Program Administrator at Cristal@FluentInPlayTherapy.com.
 
Gievances:
To obtain the grievance policy or report a grievance please email Cristal@FluentInPlayTherapy.com or call 510-516-4345.
 
Certificates:
Course Completion certificates will be awarded at the end of the course in exchange for a completed evaluation form and passing of a post-test. Course meets the qualifications for 3 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
 
Cost/Refund/Cancellations:
Full refund if canceled 45 days before training, minus $50 administrative fee; after that date there will be no refund unless space is filled from the waiting list. Participants may cancel via Cristal@FluentInPlayTherapy.com. If a course must be cancelled, the course participants are notified via email no later than one week in advance. In the event that an instructor has an emergency and must cancel a course with less than a week notice, participants will me notified immediately via email and include information regarding a rescheduled date.
 
CEUs:
CAMFT/CEPA - LMFT, LCSW, LPCC, LEP
Course meets the qualifications for 3 hours of continuing education credit, for LMFTs, LCSW's, LPCC's, and LEP's as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Cristal Alvarado is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (Provider #10003384) to sponsor continuing education for LMFT's, LCSW;s, LPCC;s, and LEP's. Cristal Alvarado maintains responsibility for the program and all its content.
 
Schedule:
 
11:00am - 12:00 pm - Part 1: Getting Started and Basics
Forming Groups
Why?
Participant Selection
Contraindications
Structuring/Limit Setting
Phases
 
12:00 pm - 12:15 pm Break - 15 minute break not included in CEUs
 
12:15pm - 2:15 pm Part 2: Using Sandtray with Clients
Experiential Activities
Starting Rituals
Ice Breakers
Middle phase activities
Terminating/ Activities 
Closing Ritual
 
References:
 
Mellenthin, C., Stone, J., and Grant, R. J. (2022). Implementing therapy with groups: Contemporary issues in practice. Routledge.
 
Sweeney, D. S., Baggerly, J. N. , and Ray, D. C. (2014). Group play therapy: A dynamic approach. Routledge.