Basics and Beyond:  Exploring the Foundations of Play Therapy

Basics and Beyond:  Exploring the Foundations of Play Therapy

This intimate continuing education workshop takes participants on a journey of exploring foundational play therapy skills. Learners will take part in interactive lecture, group discussions and experiential activities as they learn how to apply the therapeutic power of play in their clinical work settings. This workshop will explore Virginia Axline’s 8 principles of play therapy, play themes and toy categories, basic play therapy skills, designing a play therapy space and the role of the play therapist.

Upon completion of this training, attendees will have the basic skills necessary to utilize play therapy in a clinical setting. Participants are limited to 12. Training will be live and in-person only.

Date: Friday, January 16, 2026

Time: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm

Location: Joyful Hearts Training Center, LLC

2219 Sawdust Road, Suite #1003

The Woodlands, Texas 77380

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. List Axline’s 8 principles of play therapy
2. Compare non-directive and directive play therapy
3. Explain play themes and toy categories utilized in play therapy sessions
4. Demonstrate child-centered play therapy skills
5. Describe the role of the play therapist
6. Design a play therapy space

This course will satisfy the following hours required when working towards the RPT credential:

Play Therapy Seminal or Historically Significant Theories – Two (2) hours

Play Therapy Skills and Methods – Four (4) hours

CE Credit Hours: 6 CE Credit Hours will be awarded upon completion of this workshop. Joyful Hearts Training Center, LLC is an APT Approved Provider (#24-725). Joyful Hearts Training Center, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of this workshop.

What to expect:

Doors open and check-in begins at 9:00 AM

Workshop begins promptly at 9:30 AM

Lunch is on your own from 12:15 PM – 1:15 PM

Workshop ends at 4:30 PM

All sections of the workshop will consist of lecture, discussion, group activities and experiential activities.

Participants MUST attend the workshop in its entirety to receive CE credit. Partial credit will not be awarded, and refunds will not be given for incomplete attendance.