2024 AraPT Annual Conference

February 23-24, 2024

Conway, Arkansas

On the UCA Campus

Topic 1: Too Cool to Play: Creative Interventions for Adolescents

Topic 2: Bag o Tricks

Topic 3: Grief/Trauma with Children and the Ethics around that!

When: February 24-45, 2023

Where: University of Central Arkansas

Brewer-Hegeman Conference Center

201 Donaghey Ave., Conway, Arkansas 72035

https://uca.edu/physicalplant/campus/campus-maps/

Cost:

Full 2 Day Conference Pass Friday ONLY Day Conference Pass Saturday ONLY Day Conference Pass

APT Members: $350 APT Members: $250 APT Members: $250
Non-members: $450 Non-members: $325 Non-members: $325
Students: $275 Students $275 Students $275

Continuing education hours: 12 direct contact CE hours (3 hours ethics and 7 hours play therapy hours)

Presenter: Scott Riviere, MS, LPC, RPT-S

Registration type:

Member (FULL CONFERENCE) Non-Member (FULL CONFERENCE) Student (FULL CONFERENCE) FRIDAY ONLY Member FRIDAY ONLY Non-Member Friday ONLY Student Saturday ONLY Member Saturday ONLY Non Member Saturday ONLY Student

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Topic 1 Too Cool to Play: Creative Interventions for Adolescents

Overview

This workshop will cover many innovative play therapy techniques that the practitioner can utilize

immediately. Participants will explore the use of electronic media, social networking, creative art,

music, and other experiential activities that help engage adolescents in the healing process.

Special attention will be given to working with resistant adolescents and how traumatic

experiences can shape their personalities.

Abstract

Despite the negative view that most of society has toward the teenage population, these children

often have tremendous obstacles to overcome in their life and are in desperate need of support

and encouragement. This workshop will help participants learn how to connect with teenagers

and understand common developmental misconceptions that often encourage negative

stereotypes. Developmental stages of communication will be reviewed and interventions will be

discussed to assist participants in developing and appropriate approach to treatment. We will

rehearse the types and uses of therapeutic letter writing, the communicative and healing nature of

pop music, benefits of social networking and internet websites, and the use of movies and other

experiential activities to help adolescents overcome obstacles and gain closure on traumatic

events. Participants will be encouraged to explore their values toward this population and

reconnect with the healing power of play.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will be able to identify three phases in the development of communication.

2. Participants will be able to identify how Play Therapy enables adolescents to communicate

3. Participants will be able to identify a primary need of adolescents.

4. Participants will learn over 10 play therapy techniques to use with adolescents.

5. Participants will be able to identify rationale for using process-based play therapy

interventions.

6. Participants will be able to identify the importance of closure/termination in Play Therapy

Questions

1. What are the 3 stages of communication?

2. What is a primary need of adolescence?

3. When should you use a “structured“ format in therapeutic letter writing?

4. Name 3 reasons that processed based play therapy interventions are effective with

adolescents?

5. What is a music assignment you could give a resistant adolescent to engage them in Play

Therapy?

6. Regressed teenagers communicate best through non-verbal play therapy techniques (T or F)

References

Das, J. K., Salam, R. A., Lassi, Z. S., Khan, M. N., Mahmood, W., Patel, V., & Bhutta, Z. A.

(2016). Interventions for Adolescent Mental Health: An Overview of Systematic Reviews. The

Journal of adolescent health: official publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine, 59(4S),

S49-S60.

Dudovitz, R. N., Chung, P. J., & Wong, M. D. (2017). Teachers and Coaches in Adolescent Social

Networks Are Associated With Healthier Self-Concept and Decreased Substance Use. The

Journal of school health, 87(1), 12-20.

Futch Ehrlich, V. A., Deutsch, N. L., Fox, C. V., Johnson, H. E., & Varga, S. M. (2016).

Leveraging relational assets for adolescent development: A qualitative investigation of

youth–adult “connection” in positive youth development. Qualitative Psychology, 3(1), 59-78.

Gerber, N., Bryl, K., Potvin, N., & Blank, C. A. (2018). Arts-Based Research Approaches to

Studying Mechanisms of Change in the Creative Arts Therapies. Frontiers in psychology, 9, 2076.

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02076

TOPIC 2 Bag o Tricks

Workshop Description

TBA

Learning Objectives

1. TBA

TOPIC 3 Grief/Trauma with Children and the Ethics around that!

Creative Interventions for Children of Divorce:

Using Play Therapy to help the child heal from Grief and Trauma

Workshop Overview:

Adjusting to divorce can be difficult for children and teenagers. This workshop will focus on several

dynamics of parental divorce and the impact on child development. Participants will learn practical Play

Therapy techniques to help kids navigate the challenges, identify and express their emotions, and begin

the process of healing.

Workshop Abstract:

This workshop will include a review of the three types of divorce as well as the effects on children from a

developmental perspective. Stages of grief associated with divorce and separation will also be discussed

to give the participant a theoretical framework as well as specific tasks that are useful in helping families

work through this transition. A review of the negative effects of a high conflict divorce on children will

be explored with an emphasis on identifying parental alienation characteristics.

Several Play Therapy Techniques will be demonstrated that you will be able to put into practice

immediately. Activities that help children express feelings, regulate emotions, and improve family

communication will be covered. We will also review practical treatment considerations from working

with both parents to addressing legal considerations. Play Therapy Interventions to help build

assertiveness, confront parents, and develop effective coping strategies will be reviewed and

modifications for a group Play format will be presented. Experiential activities will be used to help

parents gain insight into the child’s world and develop transition contracts to help reduce conflicts.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will be able to:

1. List the Three Types of Divorces

2. Identify the benefits of Directive and Non-directive Play Therapy Techniques

3. Explain why parental involvement in Play Therapy sessions is critical

4. Learn how to create a board game to help with transition difficulties

5. List several Play Therapy Techniques

6. Learn modifications for Group Play Therapy format

Questions:

1. Young children communicate naturally through their behavior (T or F)

2. How does Play Therapy help young children communicate their thoughts and feelings?

3. What is a primary benefit of Non-directive Play Therapy for a child whose parents are divorcing?

4. It is common for children to experience transition difficulties when visiting one parent from

another. (T or F)

5. List a Play Therapy activity that can help with this transition.

6. List 2 Directive Play Therapy activities that can help kids communicate their feelings to their

parents,

References:

Hirschfeld, M & Wittenborn, A. (2016) Emotionally Focused Family Therapy and Play Therapy for Young

Children Whose Parents Are Divorced, Journal of Divorce & Remarriage, 57:2, 133-150, DOI:

10.1080/10502556.2015.1127878

Johnston, J. (2009). In the Name of the Child: A Developmental Approach to Understanding and Helping

Children of conflicted and Violent Divorce. New York: Springer Publishing Company.

Kenney-Noziska, S., & Lowenstein, L. (2015). Play therapy with children of divorce: A prescriptive

approach. In D. A. Crenshaw & A. L. Stewart (Eds.), Play therapy: A comprehensive guide to theory and

practice (p. 290–303). The Guilford Press.

Chafe, D. V. (2016). Play therapy: Concepts and techniques for working with divorce. Canadian Journal of

Counselling and Psychotherapy, 50, S80–S92.

Milam, S. & Schmidt, C. (2018). A Mixed Methods Investigation of Posttraumatic Growth in Young Adults

Following Parental Divorce. The Family Journal. 26. DOI:10.1177/1066480718781518.

Speaker Biography

Scott Riviere, MS, LPC, RPT-S

Scott Riviere, MS, LPC, RPT-S, is a Licensed Professional Counselor and one of

the first Registered Play Therapist-Supervisors in Louisiana. He is the Director of

K.I.D.Z., Inc., Louisiana's first Play Therapy Institute, where his practice is limited

exclusively to children and adolescents and their families. During his 30+ years of

practice, he has worked in various clinical settings and has extensive training in

the field of Play Therapy. He has served on various committees for the Association

for Play Therapy and served on the Board of Directors.

He has created several therapeutic products for mental health professionals and is

a published author and frequent guest on various media outlets. Mr. Riviere has

also produced a series of parent training videos titled Positive Parenting. He is an

active speaker at national and state conferences and is approved to supervise

counselors seeking state licensure or the Registered Play Therapist credential.

Refund / Cancellation Policy

Participants can cancel their registration up to 24 hours prior to training by emailing us at ar4apt@gmail.com. Refunds will be processed as soon as possible. Due to extenuating circumstances, ArAPT may cancel the event. Participants will be given a refund.

Inclement Weather Policy

In the event of inclement weather, you will be notified with the email you provided at registration that the event has been cancelled and will be rescheduled. Your purchase is final and will not be refunded. We are unable to provide the conference experience with any virtual components.

Special Accommodations

Please feel free to inform ArAPT of any accommodations that need to be made in accordance to the American Disabilities Act by contacting us at ar4apt@gmail.com.

Contact Information

For questions related to this event, please email us at ar4apt@gmail.com

Approved Provider Status

The Arkansas Association for Play Therapy (ArAPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6346. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. ArAPT is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. ArAPT is also an APT Approved Provider (07-199).

Friday

8-8:30 Registration

8:30-8:45a Welcome

8:45-10a Developmental Differences between Children & Teenagers

10a -10:15 Door Prize / Break

10:15-Noon Practical Differences between Children & Teenagers

Noon – 1p Lunch

1p-2p Play Therapy Techniques for Emotional Identification

2p- 2:15p Door Prize / Break

2:15-3:30 Play Therapy Techniques for Emotional Expression

3:30- 3:45 Door Prize / Break

3:45-4:30 Play Therapy Techniques for Emotional Management

Saturday

8-8:30 Registration

8:30-8:45a Welcome

8:45-10a Impact of Divorce on Children & Teenagers

10a -10:15 Door Prize / Break

10:15-Noon Play Therapy Techniques for Divorce Resolution

Noon – 1p Lunch & Membership Meeting

1p-2p Dynamic Differences between Grief and Trauma/Ethics

2p- 2:15p Door Prize / Break

2:15-3:30 Play Therapy Techniques for Grief and Trauma and Ethics

3:30- 3:45 Door Prize / Break

3:45-4:30 Play Therapy Techniques for Grief and Trauma and Ethics