Virtual Level Two Theraplay & MIM

CEs Available: 24      |      Four Day Training      |      Virtual      |      Prerequisite: Level One Theraplay or Module 6, and 6 months of using Theraplay      |      $960 ($860 if you sign up before January 6, 2026)

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Level Two Theraplay training is intended for therapists who have been implementing the Theraplay treatment protocol within their practice for at least 6 months. It is an opportunity to come together as clinicians and review Theraplay cases, share ideas, and learn from one another’s experience. We will discuss and process in-depth the ways in which we see examples of the four dimensions of Theraplay within our own play therapy cases. We will analyze an MIM together to deepen your understanding of this play therapy assessment tool. We will discuss ways to enhance Theraplay-based work with parents and process the challenges of working with complex parents. We will discuss the ways in which our own attachment histories are present in the play therapy room. We will consider ways in which culture and race impact our Theraplay work and we will discuss and practice adaptations for trauma when using Theraplay. We will discuss and practice ways in which to adapt and engage in Theraplay treatment with special populations (adolescents, ASD, foster/adopt). Level Two Theraplay training is intended to be experiential and discussion-based. You will be asked to share a Theraplay session of your own in order to receive support, feedback, and ideas from the trainer and attendees.

Schedule

This four day training will take place on April 6 & 7 and 13 & 14, 2026 from 8:30 am – 3:30 pm CDT. View agenda.

Trainer

Dafna Lender, LCSW, MSW is a licensed clinical social worker and is a Certified Theraplay Therapist and trainer.  She holds the position of Training Director for The Theraplay® Institute. Dafna’s area of expertise is helping children with serious psychological problems caused by histories of abuse, neglect, trauma and/or multiple placements. By focusing on developing a child’s secure attachment with his/her caregivers, Dafna helps resolve issues in the child’s traumatic history. Dafna’s other interests include working with siblings of children with special needs, adult attachment issues, teenagers, and the effect on couples of raising children with special needs. Dafna aims to help people believe that there is hope in their relationship and that they can experience happiness and connections that they thought weren’t possible. Dafna earned a Bachelor degree in Political Science from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, a Bachelor degree in Social Work from Tel Aviv University in Israel, and a Master in Social Work from Yeshiva University in New York. Dafna co-authored two chapters of in the 3rd Edition of the book Theraplay, Building Better Relationships Through Attachment-Based Play.

Summary    

Day 1

• In-depth application of the core concepts of Theraplay and current relevant research to case material
• Marschak Interaction Method (MIM) by Dimension: an in-depth analysis using case examples
• Observation and analysis of MIM using case material

Day 2

• The Parent feedback session: preparation and implementation to enhance the therapeutic relationship with caregivers
• Assessment of complex parents using case material: clinical decision making related to contraindications for Theraplay
• Working with caregiver’s attachment history in Theraplay treatment planning, feedback sessions and progress
• Implementation of the parent demonstration session

Day 3

• Managing resistance throughout the treatment process
• Managing countertransference in your work with children and families
• Role play and practice of activities
• Developmental trauma and Theraplay: Clinical decision making

Day 4

• Adaptation of activities for clients and families impacted by trauma
• Engaging caregivers with their own trauma history in treatment process
• Integration of Theraplay with other modalities to meet the needs of children and families
• Adaptation of activities for different populations

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the underlying principles of Theraplay, a modality of play therapy, and their relationship to current attachment and brain research
2. Administer and analyze the MIM and an intermediate skill level
3. Extrapolate skills in the use of the MIM for Theraplay treatment planning
4. Describe how to use feedback sessions with parents to transmit a sense of hopefulness and trust in play therapy treatment
5. Describe Theraplay methods for overcoming parental resistance
6. Report factors that influence the decision of whether to include parents in Theraplay treatment sessions
7. Describe 3 ways in which race and culture might impact Theraplay work with parents and/or children
8. Identify ways in which one’s own attachment history might impact their Theraplay work with clients
9. Demonstrate how to use a wider range of Theraplay activities and techniques
10. Relate how to adapt Theraplay, a modality of play therapy, to work with a wider range of populations, such as children with autism and older children
11. Apply Theraplay strategies for dealing with resistant clients
12. Describe the concept of complex trauma and how it applies to Theraplay
13. Describe three modifications to Theraplay, a modality of play therapy, to meet the needs of traumatized children
14. Assess when to use Theraplay in the overall play therapy treatment course of a client
15. Describe how to adapt Theraplay treatment to meet the needs of parents who may have been traumatized

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 Advanced. Please see the prerequisites for this training. 

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