My most popular training is now an online course!
Healing Trauma Through Play Therapy:
A Neuroscience & Attachment Approach
Unlock the transformative power of neuroscience-informed play therapy and expressive arts to heal trauma deeply in children and teens. This recorded training gives you powerful tools to confidently address trauma through evidence-based play therapy approaches.
Feeling Overwhelmed by Trauma Cases in Your Play Therapy Practice?
As a dedicated play therapist, you're regularly navigating complex trauma in young clients. Whether you're new to play therapy and uncertain about where to begin or an experienced professional feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of trauma cases, you're not alone.
Do any of these challenges resonate with you?
- Knowing What To Do In Sessions: How do you recognize all the complex influences of trauma and how these factors have impacted each unique client so you know what to do in sessions? Multiple layers of trauma can seem daunting and nearly insurmountable for play therapists working with children and teens who’ve experienced trauma.
- Understanding What’s Happening in Sessions: How do you know if they’re making progress and if play therapy is working? Recognizing what’s happening in sessions can be overwhelming as you try to figure out what your client’s play behaviors mean.
- Caregiver Engagement: You probably know that caregiver engagement is important but how are you supposed to engage them in the play therapy process and how do you know who to involve in the change process?
- Emotional Exhaustion: How are you managing the weight of the work you do with clients? Do you have a community of support? Absorbing the emotional turmoil of your clients can lead to personal burnout. Trauma can be complex and it can be difficult to hold their stories.
Meet Your Trainer
Cathi Spooner, LCSW, RPT-S
With nearly 35 years in child and adolescent mental health, I've supported traumatized children and teens across diverse settings, including outpatient clinics, private practice, shelters, residential treatment, juvenile justice, foster care, and adoption programs. One common thread in every setting is trauma. Like you, my life's mission is clear: helping children, teens, and families heal deeply. To do this effectively, you need specific, trauma-informed skills tailored to the developmental needs of young clients.
That's why I created this specialized training—to equip you with powerful, evidence-based techniques to confidently and safely heal trauma through play therapy.
Announcing
Healing Trauma Through Play Therapy: A Neuroscience & Attachment Approach
Unlock the transformative power of neuroscience-informed play therapy and expressive arts to heal trauma deeply in children and teens. This interactive, full-day training gives you powerful tools to confidently address trauma through evidence-based play therapy approaches.
I’m inviting you into a deep, on-demand training experience designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools to create lasting change in the lives of children and teens through play therapy. Drawing on nearly 35 years of clinical experience, I’ve combined the power of neuroscience, attachment theory, and practical application—so you can confidently support healing and transformation in your sessions.
"I really enjoyed how you can connect and help parents process the trauma of their child... Cathi had amazing insight on how to better help children and their families."
Eric D.
Play Therapist and Counselor
"Very informative and relevant to my practice... in-depth exploration of the neuroscience and attachment-based principles of trauma-informed play therapy. We explored case studies, play themes, and practical ways to facilitate therapeutic change. Would highly recommend!"
Dominique
Student Mentor & Wellness Counselor for Children & Adolescents
This isn’t about quick fixes
- It’s about understanding and healing at a profound level
Imagine being equipped to truly understand how trauma affects your clients, and having the tools to design play therapy plans that address the deep roots of their trauma. This training will guide you through the process of case conceptualization—a fancy way of saying you’ll learn to be a detective in your therapeutic work, identifying complex factors that influence your clients and discovering patterns that need addressing.
By the end of the course you’ll not only recognize themes and behaviors in play therapy but also feel confident in guiding each client through their healing journey. Central to your work will be building strong, culturally sensitive relationships with each client and their caregivers.
"I gained valuable new resources and books to support children affected by trauma, along with practical activities to help children share their trauma stories with parents."
- Carol Beth
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
"This training had accessible activity ideas, and a good neuroscience overview."
- Elissa L.
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Your Roadmap for Trauma-Informed Play Therapy
Inside the course, you’ll explore six in-depth modules that take you from theory to application—so you can walk into the playroom with clarity and confidence.
What You’ll Learn Inside the Training
Module 1: Overview of Trauma
Start with a clear foundation. You’ll gain a big-picture understanding of how trauma impacts a child’s sense of self, brain development, and relationships—setting the stage for intentional, trauma-informed play therapy.
Module 2: Case Conceptualization with a Neuroscience & Attachment Lens
Learn how to make sense of what you're seeing in the playroom by looking through a neuroscience and attachment-based lens. You'll explore the role of memory, self-concept, and mentalization—so you can respond with clarity and purpose.
Module 3: Role of Caregivers
Discover how to meaningfully engage caregivers in the healing process—even when they're overwhelmed or checked out. You'll learn how caregiver nervous systems influence the work, and how to partner with them without frustration.
Module 4: Trauma Impact & Play Themes
Decode the play. This module helps you recognize and interpret trauma themes as they show up in children’s play and artwork, so you can assess progress, identify stuck points, and adjust your interventions in real time.
Module 5: Facilitating Healing Using Play Therapy
Here’s where theory meets action. You’ll walk through integrative strategies that include identifying play themes, working with cognitive distortions, building safety, and using trauma-informed activities—all within a culturally responsive framework.
Module 6: Integrating Parents
Wrap it all together by learning how to bring parents into the work in a way that fosters connection, reinforces progress, and supports long-term healing for the whole family system.
This isn’t just a course—it’s a clinical roadmap to doing your trauma work with more intention, confidence, and support. Plus, with dozens of trauma-focused activities integrated throughout each module, you'll have real, practical tools to bring theory into immediate practice.
BONUS!
Two Months FREE Access to my NEW Online Community - Play Therapy Elevation CIRCLE
The Training Is Just the Start—Here’s What Makes It Stick
Real transformation happens when you have a community behind you—one that offers feedback, perspective, and encouragement when you need it most. That’s why your enrollment includes 60 days of free access to the Play Therapy Elevation CIRCLE—a private global community of play therapists dedicated to learning, growing, and supporting each other.
Inside the CIRCLE you can:
- Ask, “Am I doing this right?” and get real-time feedback
- Talk through challenging cases when you feel stuck
- Stay connected to the work without feeling overwhelmed
- Actually implement what you’ve learned—so the tools don’t just stay in a notebook
After your trial, you’ll have the option to continue your membership for just $47/month—cancel anytime, no pressure.
If you’ve ever wished you had a trusted community of play therapists to grow alongside… This is it.
What Your Collegues Have Said About Cathi's Trainings
Testimonials
Laura
Elissa
Jessica B.
Training Information
Here's What You Need To Know
Who is appropriate for this training?
Play therapists, clinical social workers, mental health counselors, family therapists, child and adolescent psychologists.
This training is FOR you if…
- You want to think beyond the ordinary and accomplish extraordinary results with your clients so you can change the lives of your clients for generations to come
- You want to learn how to confidently use play therapy to address trauma through each phase of the change process and know what to do in each phase of treatment
- You want to learn new play therapy strategies to help your traumatized clients heal
- You’re tired of feeling like you’re failing your clients and you want to gain confidence to use play therapy so you can get better results for them
This training is NOT for you if…
- You’re not a child/adolescent mental health professional
- You are a child/adolescent mental health professional but you don’t want to use play therapy with your clients
- You don’t think play therapy is effective
- You don’t need to learn anything because you’re very experienced and you already know everything there is to know about play therapy
Course Description
Children and teens impacted by trauma often struggle with emotion dysregulation, traumatic memories resulting in maladaptive behavior, and forming trust in relationships. These challenges stem from deep-seated feelings of shame and negative core beliefs about themselves and others, illustrating the pervasive impact of trauma. Fortunately, with the right therapeutic approach, healing and thriving are possible.
This professional play therapy training is designed for play therapists and child/adolescent counselors to utilize the insights of neuroscience and attachment theory. By focusing on these frameworks, this training equips you to effectively implement clinical interventions using play therapy and expressive arts. These methods provide developmentally appropriate ways to engage children and teens in their recovery, respecting cultural and diversity considerations crucial for healing.
Throughout this experiential training, you will understand the developmental impacts of trauma, which are essential for tailoring your therapeutic strategies. You'll discover how to identify themes in play and use these insights to guide your application of play therapy and expressive arts interventions. The training covers the four phases of treatment—each vital for addressing different aspects of trauma—and introduces specific activities for each phase. Additionally, it emphasizes the critical role of engaging caregivers as therapeutic partners.
By the end of this training, you’ll possess a deeper understanding and practical skills to implement neuroscience and attachment-informed strategies, enhancing their ability to foster significant and positive changes in the lives of young clients.
Objectives for this training
- Play therapists will explain the role of case conceptualization with cultural intelligence for treatment planning using an integrative play therapy approach grounded in neuroscience and attachment theory.
- Play therapists will describe the role of implicit memory and mentalization for trauma triggers in the play therapy process.
- Play therapists will describe at least three themes and play behaviors common to trauma work in play therapy.
- Play therapists will explain the role of play therapist and purpose of each phase of play therapy.
- Play therapists will identify at least three components needed to create safety in the play therapy process.
- Play therapists will demonstrate at least two play therapy activities for each phase of treatment.
Continuing Education Credit is available for the following organizations:
- 6 Non-Contact CE hours, APT Approved Provider #20-621
- CEs only available for mental health professionals
- NASW UT Chapter Approve 6 CEU - Synchronous and Asynchronous
What category will this training meet for the RPT credential?
For mental health professionals pursuing a Registered Play Therapy (RPT) certification, this training fits into Primary Area 4: Play Therapy Special Topics (includes special populations and burgeoning models). Play therapy credit may not be awarded to non-mental health professionals Here’s the rationale for Primary Area Category 4: This training focuses on working with children who’ve experienced trauma. Using an Integrative Play Therapy model that uses neuroscience and attachment theory, participants will learn to conceptualize treatment issues using this theoretical lens through four stages of play therapy. This training teaches play therapy strategies to use with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma.
Refund Policy
There are no refunds for this training/course.
Consent
By registering for this training, you are giving permission for Renewing Hearts Play Therapy Training (RHPTT) to use any photographs (screenshots) that are taken at the event containing your likeness for as long as RHPTT deems appropriate and desirable. This training will also be recorded, so you are giving permission for Renewing Hearts Play Therapy Training to record you during the virtual training. Photographs may be used on the RHPTT website, social media pages, and/or newsletter for any purpose. By completing the registration, you are also consenting to waive any rights to the photographs and the live webinar recording indefinitely. You also agree to allow your feedback and comments in the chat and evaluation form may also be used for future promotions as deemed appropriate and desirable by RHPTT. If you do not wish to have your photo used, it is your responsibility to notify RHPTT of your request to be omitted
Ready to elevate your play therapy skills but need a little more clarity?
Let's Chat About Those
Is this a live training or recorded?
This is a recorded, self-paced training, broken down into clear, focused modules. You can start anytime and revisit the material as often as you’d like.
What’s included with my registration?
You’ll get lifetime access to the full training, downloadable resources, and 2 months of free access to the Play Therapy Elevation CIRCLE—our private online community for continued support and connection.
What is the Play Therapy Elevation CIRCLE (PTEC)?
It’s an online membership community for play therapists who want to keep growing—without feeling isolated or overwhelmed. You’ll get access to a supportive space where you can ask questions, get feedback, share resources, and connect with others who get the work you do.
What happens after the 60-day free trial of PTEC?
After your 60-day trial ends, you’ll have the option to continue your membership for just $47/month. There’s no obligation—you can cancel anytime.
Is this training approved for CE credits?
Yes! This training offers continuing education hours.
Continuing Education Credit is available for the following organizations:
6 Non-Contact CE hours, APT Approved Provider #20-621
• CEs only available for mental health professionals
NASW UT Chapter Approve 6 CEU - Synchronous and Asynchronous
Is this right for me if I’m new to trauma work?
Absolutely! Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your clinical framework, this training meets you where you are—with a blend of neuroscience, attachment theory, and practical tools you can apply immediately.
I already know enough about trauma.
Even the most seasoned professionals need fresh perspectives and continuous learning to stay at the top of their game. This training offers more than just knowledge—it’s an opportunity to connect with peers, share innovative ideas, and stay updated with the latest research. You’ll leave feeling revitalized and empowered, with a renewed passion for your vital work in helping traumatized children and teens heal.
Will it really change my practice?
Absolutely—yes, it will! This training isn’t just about learning; it’s about transforming your practice. By integrating neuroscience and attachment-based strategies, you’ll enhance your toolkit, making your play therapy sessions more effective and impactful. Prepare to navigate your clients' healing journeys with newfound confidence and expertise, elevating both your practice and their outcomes.
"I took away many examples of activities that I can now do with children and teens."
- Tiffany S.
Certified Child Life Specialist & Elementary teacher
"Learning from and with others, combined with Cathi's expansive knowledge and experience, made the excellent material and engaging activities truly impactful. I highly recommend this experience!"
- Kathy R.
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse
Join us to not just meet but exceed your professional goals, bringing deeper healing and more effective therapy to those who need it most.
ENROLL NOW
ENROLL NOW!
Healing Trauma through Play Therapy: A Neuroscience & Attachment Approach
Healing Trauma through Play Therapy: A Neuroscience & Attachment Approach
- Unlock the transformative power of neuroscience-informed play therapy and expressive arts to heal trauma deeply in children and teens. This recorded training gives you powerful tools to confidently address trauma through evidence-based play therapy approaches.
