Empowering Parents in Play Therapy: Supporting Children with ADHD

This workshop equips play therapists with the knowledge and tools to effectively educate and empower parents and caregivers of children with ADHD.

Participants will learn how to integrate parent collaboration alongside play therapy techniques. Therapists will be able to translate therapeutic concepts into accessible neuroaffirming strategies for families to use and understand. Therapists will learn how to provide ways to foster collective emotional regulation, connection, and skill‑building in the play therapy room and for families at home.

Through case examples, practical strategies, and discussion, clinicians will deepen their ability to partner with families, reduce power struggles, and create consistent, affirming environments that help neurodivergent children thrive.

Objectives:

1. Describe how ADHD‑related executive functioning, emotional regulation, and sensory processing differences impact children’s engagement in play therapy and family dynamics
2. Identify core principles and modalities of play therapy theories—including child‑centered, directive, and integrative approaches—and explain why play is an effective therapeutic tool for children with ADHD.
3. Demonstrate play‑based strategies that strengthen the parent‑child relationship, including co‑regulation, attunement, emotional literacy tools, and collaborative play techniques.
4. Apply neuroaffirming play therapy interventions, such as filial play therapy, sensory play activities, and theraplay, to coach parents in supporting regulation, connection, and resilience at home.
5. Design a parent treatment plan that incorporates play therapy principles to promote autonomy, collaborative problem‑solving, and a playful home culture that supports neurodivergent children

Topic: Parents and ADHD

Presenter: Meghan Burns, M.S., Licensed Professional Counselor

Date/Time: Friday, March 6th, 2026 from 9:00AM-12:15PM

Cost: $75.00 early bird end 1/06 at 9am, $85.00 regular pricing ends 2/03 at 9am, $95.00 late registration

Student: $35.00 (With VALID ID). Send to paige@crossroadsfamilycc.com for verification. 

Target Audience: Social Workers, Counselors, and Play Therapists

Schedule:

9:00am-10:15am Identify core principles and modalities of play therapy theories and why play is an effective therapeutic tool for children with ADHD. Learn about neuroaffirming play therapy interventions and how to implement into play therapy sessions.

10:15am-10:30am Break

10:30am-12pm Learn how to design a parent treatment plan that incorporates play therapy principles to promote autonomy, collaborative problem‑solving, and a playful home culture that supports neurodivergent children

12:00-12:15 Wrap Up and Discussion

About the Presenter

Meghan Burns, LPC, is a licensed therapist specializing in ADHD and other neurodivergent identities. She supports children and adolescents through play-therapy at Crossroads Family Counseling Center while also working with teens, college students, and young adults at her practice Empowered Minds. Meghan’s experience spans K-12 settings, pediatrics, and private practice, giving her a deep understanding of the developmental needs of youth across the lifespan. Her affirming, strengths‑based approach reflects her commitment to helping neurodivergent young people and their families thrive through empowerment and meaningful, self‑directed change.

About virtual Crossroads Trainings:

Please visit our website for more information!

This will be a live webinar meeting via Zoom. Participants must be present for the entire training and will be awarded contact CE upon successful completion of a post test. Participants may ask and answer questions throughout the presentation and participate in instructor-led discussion.

System requirements:

•Operating Systems: Windows XP or higher, MacOS 9 or higher, Android 4.0 or higher

•Internet Browser: Internet Explorer 9.0 or higher, Google Chrome, Firefox 10.0 or higher

•Broadband Internet connection: Cable, High-speed DSL & any other medium that is internet accessible.

This one-time online event has been approved by NBCC and APT for 3.00 CE Hours. This workshop meets APT’s definition of "Non-Contact Presentation" 

CFCC is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to play therapy. CFCC maintains responsibility for the program. APT Approved Provider 13-360.

CFCC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7493. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CFCC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

CFCC provider #2347, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 10/04/2025–10/04/2026. Social workers completing this course receive 3 general continuing education credits.

Class Size Limited to 50 Participants.

Attendance Monitoring and Post Test Requirement: In order to monitor attendance, ensure participation, and receive CE credit, attendees are required to attend the full training and complete a post-test within 2 weeks of the training. Play therapy credit is only awarded to mental health professionals.  



Registration forms and instructions available at www.crossroadsfamilycounselingcenter.com. For questions, please email paige@crossroadsfamilycc.com. Space is limited for each training and is not secured until you receive confirmation. No refunds. 

Email Sheri Mitschelen (sheri@crossroadsfamilycc.com) Training Director for ADA accomodations.

Check out our sister non-profit therapy center:



The Heart Leaf Center provides high quality mental health services using play-based modalities to military, low income, and multicultural children, adolescents and families in northern Virginia. By offering these services we will help eliminate barriers that our families face, including affordability, availability, language, transportation, and insurance.