Exploring play behaviors and themes offers a powerful window into a child’s inner world—a journey as enriching for seasoned play therapists as it is for those just beginning. While recognizing these behaviors is essential, true therapeutic progress lies in how the play therapist responds in such a way that creates a safe and supportive space. Thoughtful, intentional thematic responses not only deepen the therapeutic relationship but also foster self-awareness, acceptance, and meaningful growth in the child. Join us as we examine common play behaviors associated with childhood presenting problems frequently seen in the playroom. Through a humanistic lens, we’ll uncover the intentions behind these behaviors and empower play therapists to develop authentic thematic responses—responses that resonate, heal, and create lasting impact.

Objectives:

1. Identify common play behaviors and themes associated with frequently seen childhood presenting problems in the play therapy setting.

2. Demonstrate the ability to craft authentic thematic responses while in the play therapy setting that support emotional processing, self-awareness, and healing in the child.

3. Apply thematic responding techniques in hypothetical case scenarios to enhance therapeutic attunement and strengthen the therapeutic relationship in the play therapy room.

Presenter: Michelle Walker, LCSW, RPT-S

Where: In-Person - The Moose Lodge in Fairfax

When: Friday, September 26, 2025

Presentation: 9:00am-12:15pm (ET)



Cost: Early Bird (ends 7/30) $80.00, Regular Rate $90.00

Student: $40.00 (With VALID ID). Send to paige@crossroadsfamilycc.com for verification. 

Michelle Walker holds Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Millersville University of Pennsylvania (2011) and a Master’s in Social Work with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health from the University of Southern California (2014).

Her clinical work is rooted in humanistic theory, with a focus on early childhood and elementary-aged children (ages 0–12). She specializes in Child-Centered Play Therapy and Child-Parent Relationship Therapy, providing developmentally appropriate interventions that honor each child’s innate capacity for growth and healing. Michelle believes that, within a safe and supportive therapeutic environment and through a genuine therapeutic relationship, children are naturally inclined toward positive self-direction.

Her approach supports increased self-concept, emotional awareness, regulation, and expressive emotional vocabulary. As Co-Owner of Integrated Play Connections Therapy Center, Michelle provide supervision and training for those working towards their Register Play Therapy credential.

The workshop will help participants understand the concepts of neurodiversity and neurodivergence, especially within the context of the play therapy space. Participants will work to identify their own internalized biases around these topics and will examine the power of sandplay therapy with neurodivergent young people, while learning tools to accommodate neurodivergent needs through the sandplay process work. Participants will have a hands on experience to fully internalize the power of sandplay.

Objectives:

1. Demonstrate understanding of neurodivergence in general and autism specifically, especially with regards as to how it shows up in the play therapy space.

2. Identify three ways to accommodate neurodivergent clients when using sandplay

therapy in play therapy.

3. Identify one’s own biases and projections onto symbols during the sandplay process.

Presenter: Jennifer Glacel, MSW, LCSW (VA), LCSW-C(MD), RPT-S

Where: In-Person - The Moose Lodge in Fairfax

When: Friday, September 26, 2025

Presentation: 1:15pm-4:30pm (ET)



Cost: Early Bird (ends 7/30) $80.00, Regular Rate $90.00

Student: $40.00 (With VALID ID). Send to paige@crossroadsfamilycc.com for verification. 

Jennifer Glacel is the owner and founder of Seven Corners Psychotherapy. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Registered Play Therapist – Supervisor. An Autistic therapist with over 16 years of experience, Jennifer is skilled in working with children, teens, and adults.

Jennifer is a nationally recognized speaker and trainer in the areas of neurodivergence, autism, anti-ableism, play therapy, and sandplay whose current focus is working with other clinicians through training and supervision. Jennifer is also the founder of the Washington Interdisciplinary Neurodivergence Group, or WING, a non-profit dedicated to providing resources, education, advocacy and most of all community, centering neurodivergent folks and their experiences.

This training will provide skills to mental health professionals looking to bring art and expressive interventions into their Play Therapy work.

Client-Centered Art Therapy and Child-Centered Play Therapy are parallel theories that grounded in the belief of client-driven healing through expressive creation and play. They both relay on a language that goes deeper than words, and empowers clients’ own internal agency. 

Over the course of this workshop, participants will learn ways to bring more expressive art making into the play room, including a deeper understanding of materials, interactive art experientials, and expressive play-based interventions.

Objectives:

1. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of expressive modalities, art materials, and creative interventions to enhance their play therapy practice.
2. Participants will learn and apply at least three new art-based interventions in the play therapy space.
3. Participants will develop the skills to utilize and integrate expressive modalities within a client-centered play therapy framework.

Presenter:    Lula Lambert, Masters of Art Therapy, LPC, ATR-BC, RYT-200

Where:        In-Person - The Moose Lodge in Fairfax

When:        Saturday, September 27, 2025

Presentation: 9:00am-12:15pm (ET)



Cost: Early Bird (ends 7/30) $80.00, Regular Rate $90.00

Student: $40.00 (With VALID ID). Send to paige@crossroadsfamilycc.com for verification. 

This training will provide skills to mental health professionals looking to bring art and expressive interventions into their Play Therapy, with a focus on serving clients who have experienced trauma.

Participants will learn to incorporate various expressive modalities into play therapy, creating a safe space that honors each client’s resilience and empowers their path to emotional healing. This workshop will place special emphasis on the mind-body connection, blending artistic expression with somatic awareness and client’s embodied experience to deepen healing.

Objectives:

1. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of expressive modalities, art materials, and creative interventions to enhance their play therapy practice.
2. Participants will learn and apply at least three new art-based interventions in the play therapy space.
3. Participants will enhance their understanding of the connection between art-based expression and the mind-body connection in the play therapy space.
4. Participants will develop the skills to utilize and integrate expressive modalities within a trauma-informed play therapy framework.

Presenter:    Lula Lambert, Masters of Art Therapy, LPC, ATR-BC, RYT-200

Where:        In-Person - The Moose Lodge in Fairfax

When:        Saturday, September 27, 2025

Presentation: 1:15pm-4:30pm (ET)



Cost: Early Bird (ends 7/30) $80.00, Regular Rate $90.00

Student: $40.00 (With VALID ID). Send to paige@crossroadsfamilycc.com for verification. 

Please visit our website for more information!

This one-time event has been approved by both NBCC and APT for 3.00 CE Hours. This workshop meets APT’s definition of "Contact Hours." Social Work CEs pending. Stay tuned for more information.

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.

Attendance Monitoring: In order to monitor attendance, ensure participation, and receive CE credit, attendees are required to attend the full training.



Registration forms and instructions available at www.crossroadsfamilycounselingcenter.com. For questions, please email paige@crossroadsfamilycc.com. Space is limited for each training. 

Need a refund for some reason? Please notify paige@crossroadsfamilycc.com at least TWO WEEKS BEFORE conference start date. Refunds will be reimbursed with a $25.00 administration fee.