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Nuts and Bolts of Pediatric Psychopharmacology:
What Play Therapists Need to Know
Description:
Holistic care includes the mind, body, and spirit. Being aware of specific psychotropic medications and how they work to improve symptoms is valuable information for mental health clinicians, including play therapists. When medication is added to the treatment, the therapist may wonder if changes in the client's behavior, positive or negative, are a result of interventions, the medication, or both. This information is valuable because the client may need a lower dose or have the dose adjusted, or the medication discontinued. This does not imply that therapists need to have in-depth knowledge
pertaining to psychotropic medications. It is suggested here that the therapist have some familiarity with commonly used psychotropic medications, and concerns related to changes in behavior communicated to the parent.
This presentation provides information regarding commonly used drug classifications to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, childhood depression, and anxiety in children.
Information about common expected side effects will be included. Play therapists will be able to share scenarios in which unexpected changes in behaviors exhibited in the playroom may have been influenced by the effects of psychotropic medications, as well as what to be aware of, should a child present with adverse reactions.
Objectives:
- Identify drug use to treat ADHD, anxiety and depression in children, including those receiving play therapy
- Describe how medications for ADHD, depression and anxiety medications work on the central nervous system to improve behavior in children
- State common side effects of medications to treat ADHD, depression and anxiety
- State how knowledge of psychotropic is beneficial for play therapists
Attention Deficit Hyperactiviy Disorder,
What every Child Therapist Must Know
Description:
In 2017, The Center for Disease Control reported that 11% of American children, ages 4 to 17 have ADHD. Given these statistics, it is not surprising that a significant number of clients in play therapy have ADHD diagnoses. Research is currently showing the need to treat children with this diagnosis from a multidimensional lens. This training will examine current trends in treatment, including nutrition, learning styles, and energy work. Biofeedback, medication management, mindfulness, and strategies for self-regulation will be explained and demonstrated. This training will begin with an overview of the diagnostic criteria and challenges that this diagnosis presents for clinicians, including play therapists. Directive and non-directive play therapy strategies will be presented and practiced.
Objectives:
- State the DSM-5 criteria for ADHD
- Identify the behavioral and social challenges of ADHD
- Describe medications commonly used and dietary recommendations for managing ADHD
- Identify play therapy, non-play interventions and parent strategies for managing ADHD
Presenters: Sonia Hinds, APRN, CNS, RPT-S™
Sonia Hinds, APRN, CNS, RPT-S™ is the Founder and CEO of Chesapeake Beach Professional Seminars. Founder and Executive Director of Barstow Acres Children’s Center, a non-profit practice providing children's mental health services. Ms. Hinds is trained in Child-Centered and Gestalt play therapy with Violet Oaklander (retired). Authored chapter, Play Therapy with African-American Village in text, Cultural Issues in Play Therapy, edited by Eliana Gil, PhD, RPT-S and Athena Drewes, PsyD, RPT-S. Ms. Hinds received the MD/DC APT 2019 Outstanding Service Award.
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