Proven & Effective Play Therapy Strategies with Children, Adolescents & Children of All Ages

Presented by Christine Dargon, Ph.D.

Friday, April 21, 2017  |  Victoria, bc

Date & Location

This workshop will teach attendees how to use Play Therapy as an incredible method of communication and diagnostics. It will teach you how to interpret the ways in which children and adolescents play, the importance of what they play with/what they create, and how to interpret their interactions with us as the professional. You will learn how to understand and determine what the individual is struggling with and causes for presenting behaviours and emotions.

Techniques can be used for anger (OCD), anxiety, ADHD, depression and self-esteem issues, trauma/PTSD, abuse and fears. Attendees will leave with a tool box of ready to use Play Therapy techniques that they will immediately be able to implement in their work with helping children, adolescents and even adults. This tool box will consist of appropriate tools for different problems. Some of the tools will include Sand Tray therapy, coloring, the use of puppets, clay use, dance/movement, “I Spy”, and so many other great techniques. Much of this workshop will include active learning and participation. So get ready to learn, have fun and see the world through a child’s eyes.

Play Therapy allows for the clinician to be creative, adapt techniques to fit any given individual or setting and is fun! This workshop will teach attendees a wide variety of such tools but will also do so in a hands on manner so that attendees can immediately return to work and implement these tools into their day to day work.

Who Should Attend

Education and Clinical Professionals: All education and mental health or healthcare professionals who work with children or youth including, but not limited to K–12 Classroom Teachers, School Counsellors, Learning Assistance/Resource Teachers, School Administrators, School Paraprofessionals including Special Education Assistants, Classroom Assistants and Childcare Workers • All other professionals who support behavioural challenges and complex learning needs including but not limited to: Nurses, Social Workers, Psychologists, Clinical Counsellors, Family Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Addiction Counsellors, Youth Workers, Mental Health Workers, Probation Officers and Community Police Officers.

Agenda

Play Therapy – How to Use it!

Specific techniques and novel approaches

• Assessment and Diagnostic
• Therapeutic Benefits
• Non-Directive versus Directive/Soft and Hard Mediums

Hands on learning and using the techniques – from crayons, to puppets, to movement and much more! This will be the focus of the day.

• Non-Directive Techniques:
  • Sand Tray Work
  • Watercolors
  • Play Dough
  • Drawings
  • House- Tree-Person
  • Finger Painting
• Directive Techniques:
  • I spy
  • Movement and Music
  • Drama
  • Puppets
  • Maps – where in the world do you want to be?
  • What do you want to be when you grow up?
  • What Animal am I?
  • Doll House
  • Dance and Movement
  • Board games
  • Emotions – Feeling Face

What techniques are best for what disorders:

• Anger (OCD), Anxiety, ADHD, Depression and self-esteem issues, Trauma/PTSD, Abuse, Fears

Play Therapy with Families, Groups & Couples

Areas of Caution

• Hard and soft mediums
• Sexualized and acting out behaviours
• Children who have been abused and repetitive play

Learning Objectives

• Understand the Purpose & Goals of Play Therapy
• Learn and be able to implement specific and easy Play Therapy techniques for specific presenting issues
• Use Play Therapy as a diagnostic tool and interpret what you see
• Know which play therapy techniques to use with different children and different presenting problems
• Address things to be aware of and areas of caution including selecting the best materials depending upon the presenting issue
• How to use these techniques in a variety of settings including Group Play therapy

Your Presenter

Christine Dargon, Ph.D.

Christine Dargon, Ph.D., Christine is a retired psychologist. She continues her work teaching as college faculty for almost 30 years at two universities. She consults and now owns a health and wellness center, with two locations in Northern  AZ, focusing on integrative techniques to help individuals of all ages such a yoga, meditation, mindfulness, breath work and much more. She continues to also train professionals in play therapy and sand tray interventions.

Testimonials

“Dr. Dargon was superb! She was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and extremely helpful. Thanks for a rewarding, educational day.”
– Heather Guillou | Langley, BC | November 20-22, 2017

“All three days were wonderfully informative. Your energy and enthusiasm was so welcoming. Your passion and depth of knowledge on all topics explored was clearly evident. I love all the practical take-away pieces, scripts and resource links + tools provided. Thanks so much.”
– Erica Mackinnon | Halifax, NS | June 7-8, 2017

“Christine is very engaging! By far the best workshop I’ve ever attended. She focuses on practical concept and not boring theories!”
– Ottawa, ON | June 5, 2017

“This workshop (especially the importance of play part) should be required to all school teachers/ staff to attend. Parents have to be reminded too of the importance of play through … media, school, church, etc. Super love it! Awesome Dr. Dargon!”
– Edmonton, AB | May 1-2, 2017

“Thank you for the excellent, insightful, entertaining presentation. The skills you touched on today will be very useful for my work with children and teens on the autism spectrum!”
– Michael | Kelowna, BC | April 20, 2017

“Christine is a warm effective, interesting presenter. Dr. Dargon is approachable, this is rare but so important. I felt a part of the day, not just a listener. Christine makes a point to know and address participants by their name – wow! Made her approachable. Christine provided real life examples – interesting and important. Christine provided useful sites, books.”
– Halifax, NS | June 6, 2017

“I really liked this workshop! It was great that multiple forms of play therapy were touched on. The speaker was clear, engaging and answered all questions.”
– Ottawa, ON | June 5, 2017

“She was excellent! Hope she comes back so colleagues can learn from her. So many resources she shared – Open to use even after conference. ‘Sure send me a student’s drawing if you ever have a question.'”
– Debra Rarog | Winnipeg, MB | May 4, 2017

“Excellent presentation. Give real tools that can be used at school. Practical strategies that can address special issues. Love how Christine makes it easy to understand.”
– Edmonton, AB | May 1-2, 2017

“Excited to take this back + work will my kids in elementary. Huge eye opener. Thank you very impressed.”
– Edmonton, AB | May 1-2, 2017

“What a full day. Christine was great. She captured the attention of the audience and is super resourceful and fun. I will definitely use some of what I learned today to add to my current way of working therapeutically with my students.”
– Shayla | Victoria, BC | April 21, 2017

“Great energy and knowledge extended, great humour. Welcoming experience. Interesting, look forward to applying in session work!”
– Michele Gardiner | Kelowna, BC | April 20, 2017

“Wonderful and captivating speaker! Lots of great ideas that we will be trying.”
– Serena Ginter | Kelowna, BC | April 20, 2017

“Instructor is very dynamic. Would definitely take more workshops facilitated by Christine. Lots of useful examples and very animated/passionate.”
– Kelowna, BC | April 20, 2017

“Christine was an engaging speaker. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to her and all the information she provided. Christine shared practical techniques and approaches with sound reasoning. She presented in an understandable and friendly manner. Excellent workshop! I feel like I can start with my new learning right away.” 
– Edmonton, AB | May 26, 2016

Registration & Fees