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Hybrid Level One Theraplay & MIM
CEs
Available: 25 | Six Day Training |
Hybrid | $1,125 ($1,025 if you sign up before October 27, 2025) *Hawaii Residents - thanks to a generous donation, the first 10 HI residents will receive $130 off the cost of training making the total $995 ($895 if you sign up before October 27, 2025) To register for a Theraplay® training, you’ll first need to create an account with a login and password. This step helps us keep your training records, certificates, and registrations all in one secure place. Once your account is set up, you’ll be able to easily register for trainings and access training materials.
Theraplay is a child-focused, adult-led model of play therapy. Participants in this training will learn how to support caregivers to build a healthy relationship with their child through predictable, fun, connected play activities. Strong parent-child relationships serve as a foundation for the child’s self regulation, which allows the child to develop optimally and build resilience. After completing training, participants will have the skill and experience to begin applying Theraplay principles in their work with children and families. Participants will have the opportunity to deepen their knowledge by joining the Theraplay community through observation of supervision sessions and participation in networking workshops. Take advantage of the opportunity to take a Group Theraplay Training February 7, 2026 from 8:30am to 4:30pm HST at the same location. Learn more.
Schedule
This is a hybrid training split between virtual and in-person days. The virtual days are January 19-20 & 28-29, 2026 from 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
HST. The in-person days are February 5, 2026 from 8:30 am - 4:30 pm HST and February 6, 2026 from 8:30 am - 3:30 pm HST. View agenda.
Required Text Theraplay: The Practitioner’s Guide is required for this training. Read Chapters 2, 4 and 6 of your book prior to the training, and bring it with you for reference each day. Digital and paper versions can be purchased from Amazon using the following link: https://a.co/d/8LODnxu
All other materials will be provided via email and on the first day of training.
Trainer
Jessica Weidel, LMHC is a Certified Theraplay Therapist, Trainer, and Supervisor. She is the Program Director for the Theraplay Institute. Jessica has been using Theraplay in her practice since 2009. She worked as an adoption preservation therapist in Chicago, IL where she served families who were struggling with their adoption or guardianship. She has also worked as a therapist at the Theraplay Institute and as an infant mental health consultant in the Healthy Families program. Jessica specializes in building healthy attachment. She has experience working with children who have survived abuse, neglect, loss, medical trauma, and other trauma. She is also skilled in supporting the parents of these children and helping them to learn how to help their child to heal. In addition to her Theraplay training, she is trained in ARC (Attachment, Regulation, and Competency); TBRI (Trust Based Relational Intervention); TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy); and DDP (Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy). She has a growing interest in Internal Family Systems (IFS). Jessica has been giving Theraplay trainings and supervising practicum students since 2013. She loves getting to share Theraplay with others and supporting professionals as they implement Theraplay in their practice. Jessica has an M.Ed in community counseling and is licensed in Washington as an LMHC.
Trainer
Dafna Lender, MSW, LCSW is a Clinical Social Worker Certified Theraplay Practitioner, Supervisor, and Trainer. She is a child and family therapist with over 20 years of experience. She is a certified trainer, supervisor, and consultant in Theraplay® and
Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy, and coauthor of Theraplay: The Practitioner’s Guide.
Summary
- Principles of attachment theory on an intellectual and experiential level
- The Four Dimensions of Theraplay
- The Theraplay protocol
- An introduction to the Marschak Interaction Method (MIM): administration, analysis and as a guide for treatment planning
- Adapting Theraplay for working with children and families impacted by complex trauma and other populations
- Managing resistance throughout the treatment process
- Managing countertransference in your work with children and families
- Implementing Theraplay into your practice
Learning Objectives
- Identify three play, attachment-based theories and how you could use them to support the Theraplay modality.
- Define how children with various attachment styles present in play therapy sessions.
- Explain the benefits of the Marschak Interaction Method (MIM) assessment
- Prepare the MIM play therapy assessment tool.
- Analyze an MIM with an eye towards curiosity and non-judgment to support caregivers in Theraplay activities.
- Plan a play therapy treatment based on an MIM analysis
- Identify at least three play therapy goals for an MIM feedback session with parents
- Name the four dimensions of Theraplay, a modality of play therapy
- Describe how the four Theraplay dimensions promote healthy attachment
- Recognize one play-based activity from each of the four dimensions: Structure, Engagement, Nurture and Challenge
- Understand ways of adapting Theraplay to meet the needs of a child with complex trauma; list three of them
- Demonstrate clear ways of guiding parents to participate in Theraplay
- Specify how to prepare parents to use Theraplay techniques at home
- Identify how various parent attachment styles present in play therapy sessions
- Support parents in understanding their attachment history
- Demonstrate adapting Theraplay techniques for three different populations of families
- Apply Theraplay techniques to work through dysregulation in play therapy sessions
- Adapt Theraplay activities for children of different ages and developmental stages
- Describe process for termination of Theraplay treatment
- Describe at least 2 common examples of countertransference in Theraplay treatment
- Describe 2 ways to effectively address countertransference
- Identify two types of clients for whom Theraplay would not be an appropriate play therapy modality.
Who Should Attend?
People who work with children and families in many different capacities will benefit from training programs offered by The Theraplay Institute. Visit our Who Should Attend page for more information. This course’s Content Level
is Intermediate.
Bibliography
View this training’s bibliography for
books and other materials referenced in the development of the content for this program.
For information about our CE process, cancellation policy, and how to contact us with questions and concerns visit our
FAQ
page. Attendance of the entirety of a program (in-person or virtual) is required in order to receive continuing education or a letter of completion.
There is no conflict of interest or commercial support for this program.
Registration Terms and Conditions
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