One Day Group Theraplay®  Chicago, IL

CEs Available: 6.5      |      One Day Training      |      In-person

Group Theraplay® is an adult-directed, structured play group that incorporates playful, cooperative and nurturing activities that enhance the emotional well-being of children. Unlike other play group approaches, Theraplay learning takes place on a non-verbal level. Instead of talking about positive social behavior, the group leaders and children do positive social interaction. Positive messages from the group interaction gradually become a part of the child’s internal sense of self. If you are a professional working in classrooms, day cares, residential settings or with family groups, this training is for you. 

This training will take place a day after the Level One Theraplay & MIM | February 23-26, 2026 and there are seats still available. Those not participating in the Level One are still welcome to participate so long as they have completed the prerequisites by the day of the training.

Prerequisites

Level One Theraplay & MIM or Theraplay Modules 1 & 2

Schedule

This is a one day training taking place February 27, 2026 from 9 am - 4:30 pm Eastern Time. View this training’s detailed agenda.

Trainer

Gloria M. Cockerill, LCSW, RPT-S is a Certified Theraplay Therapist and Trainer, as well as a Training Director for the Theraplay Institute. Gloria’s area of specialty is working with children, adolescents and their families.  Gloria has worked clinically with children and families involved in the foster care system, has supervised an Intact Family Services team of caseworkers and has worked with children and adolescents in a community mental health center, as well as in private practice.  Gloria has worked as a Field Consultant for the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration. In this capacity she has provided support and training to cohorts of first and second year graduate social work graduate students, facilitating seminars, and helping students bridge the connection between their academic and field placement experiences. She recently served as adjunct faculty at University of Illinois at Chicago’s Jane Addams College of Social work teaching Practice with Children to graduate students of social work. In addition, she has experience in providing Early Intervention Services and consultation to early childhood programs.  As a Registered Play Therapist – Supervisor she has completed extensive training in a broad range of play based techniques. She is a member of the Theraplay Association, and the Association for Play Therapy, where she served for three years as the President of the Illinois Branch. 

Summary    

• Create an atmosphere that is warm, nurturing, engaging, and challenging
• Promote warm relationships between children and adults and friendships among peers
• Engage hard-to-reach children
• Place emphasis on cooperation between children
• Encourage children to learn and practice self- control
• Help children with regulatory disorders and tactile issues
• Simultaneously address cognitive, social, and emotional development

Learning Objectives     

• Apply Theraplay play principles, including the four dimensions, to group treatment
• Integrate play therapy skills in using the group rules and group techniques through planning and practice of Group Theraplay activities
• Demonstrate how to adapt the use of group Theraplay in play therapy with various populations
• Describe how nurturing and co-regulating physical connection can assist children to feel calm and more organized in a play therapy group setting
• Name three techniques for managing resistance and problem situations in play therapy groups
• List three essential strategies for successful implementation

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