The Wendt Center Training Institute will be holding three play therapy trainings in February 2026. Attend one, two or all three and expand your capacity and competence in working with children and youth through play therapy.
Continuing education credits are available for each training through ASWB and APT.
Click each event to learn more, and complete your registration using the webform at the bottom of this page.
A discount of $60 will be applied to your registration if you attend all three events!
Introduction to Child-Centered Play Therapy
Friday, February 6th from 9am-12:30pm ET
Virtual via Zoom
Fee: $120
APT: 3 CEs non-contact
ASWB: 3 Clinical CEs
Course Description:
Mental health therapists often feel overwhelmed when they begin working with young children who aren’t able to engage in traditional talk therapy models. This course will prepare participants to learn a widely-applicable, evidence-based model of play therapy. The historical origins and theoretical roots of child-centered play therapy will be explored in an engaging manner with case examples and opportunities to discuss applications. This course is specifically designed for therapists beginning their play therapy journey and looking to learn more about the seminal work of Virginia Axline and Gary Landreth. Participants will be prepared to deepen their skills in child-centered play therapy after completing this course.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Describe the historical origins Child-Centered Play Therapy,
- Describe Axline’s eight principles of play therapy,
- Explain Landreth’s ten core tenets for relating to children,
- List the four stages of therapy in CCPT,
- Describe the four skills of Child-Centered Play Therapy,
- Identify at least five components of a play therapy room.
Instructor Information:
Emily Prusator, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S™
Emily is a licensed clinical social worker in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Human and Organizational Development and Women’s and Gender Studies with a minor in Child Development from Vanderbilt University. Emily earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University with a concentration in Gender Violence Intervention.
Emily has ten years of experience in fundraising, research, and advocacy for survivors of trauma. She has been providing direct, clinical grief and trauma services for children and their families for over seven years in school, community, and office settings. Emily’s earliest clinical work was in providing school-based Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to children ages 6-17 years with complex trauma. More recently, her work has centered on providing group and individual services to children and adults who are navigating trauma, loss, and the intersection of both.
Emily has received specialized training in play therapy, including integration of sand therapy, the expressive arts, sensory integration work, and particular assessment methods such as the Extended Play-Based Developmental Assessment. She has been a Registered Play Therapist since 2020. Emily is also certified in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (Level 1) and EMDR to support children, youth, and adults in processing traumatic experiences. She is currently pursuing training and consultation in the model of Sensory Motor Arousal and Regulation Treatment (SMART).
The Wendt Center for Loss and Healing, 1737, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 3/13/2024 – 3/13/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3 clinical continuing education credits.
The Wendt Center for Loss and Healing is an APT Approved Provider 25-768. Mental health professionals completing this course receive 3 live webinar, non-contact) hours.
Introduction to Filial Therapy
Friday, February 13th from 9am-12:30pm ET
Virtual via Zoom
Fee: $120
APT: 3 CEs non-contact
ASWB: 3 Clinical CEs
Course Description:
Play therapists working with young children must engage caregivers in order to provide effective support. At times, this means incorporating caregivers into a session. Filial therapy provides a framework for how to do so. In this training, the historical origins and theoretical roots of filial therapy will be explored in an engaging manner with case examples and opportunities to discuss applications. This course is specifically designed for therapists who are familiar with child-centered play therapy but want to learn more about incorporating caregivers into the process. Participants will be prepared to deepen their skills in filial therapy after completing this course.
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Describe the historical origins Filial Therapy,
- List at least two reasons for engaging a caregiver in sessions,
- List the stages of Filial Therapy,
- Describe three key concepts about children’s play to caregivers,
- Describe at least three reasons to set a limit in play therapy,
- Describe two examples of how to set a limit using the ACT method.
Instructor Information:
Emily Prusator, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S™
Emily is a licensed clinical social worker in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Human and Organizational Development and Women’s and Gender Studies with a minor in Child Development from Vanderbilt University. Emily earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University with a concentration in Gender Violence Intervention.
Emily has ten years of experience in fundraising, research, and advocacy for survivors of trauma. She has been providing direct, clinical grief and trauma services for children and their families for over seven years in school, community, and office settings. Emily’s earliest clinical work was in providing school-based Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to children ages 6-17 years with complex trauma. More recently, her work has centered on providing group and individual services to children and adults who are navigating trauma, loss, and the intersection of both.
Emily has received specialized training in play therapy, including integration of sand therapy, the expressive arts, sensory integration work, and particular assessment methods such as the Extended Play-Based Developmental Assessment. She has been a Registered Play Therapist since 2020. Emily is also certified in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (Level 1) and EMDR to support children, youth, and adults in processing traumatic experiences. She is currently pursuing training and consultation in the model of Sensory Motor Arousal and Regulation Treatment (SMART).
The Wendt Center for Loss and Healing, 1737, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 3/13/2024 – 3/13/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3 clinical continuing education credits.
The Wendt Center for Loss and Healing is an APT Approved Provider 25-768. Mental health professionals completing this course receive 3 live webinar, non-contact) hours.
Foundational Play Therapy Skills for Grief and Trauma Work with Children
Friday, February 20th from 10am-4:00pm ET and Saturday, February 21st from 10am-4:00pm ET
In Person at the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing
4201 Connecticut Ave NW Suite 300, Washington DC, 20008
Fee: $400
APT: 10 CEs contact
ASWB: 10 Clinical CEs
Course Description:
This in-person workshop will provide opportunities to apply the theories of Child-Centered Play Therapy and Filial Therapy. The course will begin with a brief review of these theories and an exploration of how these evidence-based models are applicable to grief and trauma cases. Throughout both days, the presenter will use clips from a beloved story – “Where the Wild Things Are” to make the concepts and skills come alive. Participants will have ample opportunity to ask questions, receive feedback, and learn new skills in a supportive environment. The group will review recorded role-plays and discuss themes that emerge in the play. Finally, participants will have an opportunity to practice skills of providing feedback to parents after Filial Therapy sessions. Ample time will be provided to process the experience and answer participants’ questions.
*Prior training strongly recommended (approximately 6 credit hours): Introduction to Child-Centered Play Therapy and Filial Therapy
Learning Objectives:
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- List the four stages of therapy in CCPT,
- Describe the four skills of Child-Centered Play Therapy,
- Identify at least five components of a play therapy room,
- Explain the impact of grief and trauma to caregivers,
- Demonstrate the skill of structuring 2-3 times in a CCPT role-play,
- Demonstrate the skills of listening and following 3-5 times in a CCPT role play,
- Demonstrate the skill of limit-setting using the ACT model at least once in a CCPT role play,
- Identify at least three challenges that might arise in a CCPT session,
- Identify at least ten themes in a recorded CCPT session,
- Demonstrate an ability to communicate themes in two parent feedback role-plays.
Instructor Information:
Emily Prusator, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S™
Emily is a licensed clinical social worker in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Human and Organizational Development and Women’s and Gender Studies with a minor in Child Development from Vanderbilt University. Emily earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University with a concentration in Gender Violence Intervention.
Emily has ten years of experience in fundraising, research, and advocacy for survivors of trauma. She has been providing direct, clinical grief and trauma services for children and their families for over seven years in school, community, and office settings. Emily’s earliest clinical work was in providing school-based Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy to children ages 6-17 years with complex trauma. More recently, her work has centered on providing group and individual services to children and adults who are navigating trauma, loss, and the intersection of both.
Emily has received specialized training in play therapy, including integration of sand therapy, the expressive arts, sensory integration work, and particular assessment methods such as the Extended Play-Based Developmental Assessment. She has been a Registered Play Therapist since 2020. Emily is also certified in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy (Level 1) and EMDR to support children, youth, and adults in processing traumatic experiences. She is currently pursuing training and consultation in the model of Sensory Motor Arousal and Regulation Treatment (SMART).
The Wendt Center for Loss and Healing, 1737, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 3/13/2024 – 3/13/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 10 clinical continuing education credits.
The Wendt Center for Loss and Healing is an APT Approved Provider 25-768. Mental health professionals completing this course receive 10 live in person, contact hours.
Continuing education information for each session can be found by expanding the trainings above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to my registration fee if a training is cancelled?
In the event that a training needs to be canceled or postponed, participants (or the partnering agency) will be notified and offered a refund or a transfer of registration.
What is your inclement weather policy?
The Wendt Center follows the Federal Government for all closures and delays. In the event the Federal Government is closed the training will be canceled and rescheduled. Participants will be offered a refund or a transfer of registration to the new date. If the Federal Government has a delayed opening the training will begin on time as scheduled.
What are the requirements for completing a course with continuing education credit?
At the beginning of the training, participants will sign in and may complete a pre-test to measure learning. Participants are required to attend for the entire duration of the workshop, signing in and out for breaks. Facilitator(s) may complete a check-in process at the beginning of the workshop, and participants’ virtual presence in webinars will be tracked by the Zoom report feature. After the workshop is completed, participants will be required to complete an evaluation and post-test in order to receive their certificate.
What is the process for receiving my certificate?
Participants who completed the entire training and signed in providing an email address will receive an email requesting they complete an evaluation within two weeks of the training. Once participants have electronically completed their evaluation and post-test, they will be sent a certificate for continuing education by email within two weeks of the evaluation closing. Attendees will receive an immediate score on the post-test portion of the evaluation. A participant’s receipt of their certificate is not contingent upon achieving a particular score on their post-test. For trainings sponsored by an organization, the evaluation may be distributed by the organizer.
How can I request a refund as an individual participant?
Course participants may request a refund up to 30 days prior to the training date. The registration fee, less a $25 administrative fee will be refunded. To request a refund within this timeframe, please e-mail training@wendtcenter.org. Refunds will be issued electronically within approximately one week of your request.
How do I request an accommodation?
The Wendt Center’s training facilities are wheelchair accessible. Individuals needing special accommodations may contact the Director of Training, Melissa Sellevaag, at training@wendtcenter.org.
How can I file a complaint or grievance about the course or instructor?
The Wendt Center seeks to ensure equitable treatment of every person and to make every attempt to resolve grievances in a fair and transparent manner. Therefore, we are eager to address any refund requests, complaints about course content, speakers, facilities, non-receipt of certificates, and any other occurrences. To submit all other grievances, please send a written summary of the incident to Lindsay He, LICSW at forms@wendtcenter.org. All grievances will be documented and actions taken to address any grievances will be recorded. These records can be made available to the ASWB ACE program for review upon request. Grievances will receive, to the best of our ability, corrective action in order to prevent further problems. A copy of this policy is available on promotional material and upon request.