Child & Youth Focus | 6 CEUs
Date & Location
Thursday, April 24, 2025 – Thursday, April 24, 2025
8:30am – 4:00pm
Hampton Inn and Suites Langley
19500 Langley Bypass, Surrey, BC V3S 7R2
phone: 604.530.6545
Sorry, no map is available for this location.
Play Therapy in Action: Transforming Social, Emotional, and Academic Challenges in Children & Adolescents
Presented by Christine Dargon, Ph.D.
Thursday, April 24, 2025 | Langley, bc
Workshop Description
Super Earlybird ends on January 24, 2025
Registration on this page is for live in-person attendance only. To attend virtually please register here: https://webinars.jackhirose.com/product/play-therapy/
Children often struggle to fully understand and communicate their experiences because their cognitive and emotional development is still in progress. They may lack the vocabulary to express their feelings or the cognitive tools to make sense of their world. This is where Play Therapy becomes an invaluable resource. Play Therapy provides children with a natural, engaging way to communicate, process their emotions, and explore their inner experiences.
This workshop will teach participants how to harness Play Therapy as a powerful tool for both communication and assessment. You will learn how to interpret children’s play—what they choose to play with, what they create, and how they engage with you as a professional. Through their play, children reveal critical insights into their struggles, allowing us to understand the underlying causes of their behaviors and emotions.
By attending this seminar, you will gain a deeper understanding of how to decode children’s play and use it to assess their emotional and psychological needs. You’ll also leave with a practical toolbox of Play Therapy techniques that can be immediately applied in your work with children and clients of all ages. This toolbox will include interventions for addressing a variety of presenting issues, such as anger, ADHD, depression, and anxiety. Techniques will include Sand Tray therapy, coloring, the use of puppets, dance/movement, “I Spy,” and many other creative methods.
Much of the seminar will involve active, hands-on learning, where you’ll have the opportunity to practice and experience these techniques firsthand. Prepare for an engaging, dynamic experience that will help you see the world through a child’s eyes, while equipping you with the tools to make a meaningful difference in their lives.
Workshop Topics:
Agenda & Learning Objectives
- Introduction to Play Therapy – How to Use It
- Overview: Understanding Play Therapy’s role in emotional expression and child development.
- Techniques and Approaches:
- Non-Directive vs. Directive: Child-led vs. therapist-guided play.
- Soft vs. Hard Mediums: Impact of materials (e.g., toys vs. writing tools) on therapy.
- Assessment and Benefits: Using play for diagnostic insights and emotional healing.
- Hands-On Learning: Play Therapy Techniques
- Non-Directive Techniques:
- Sand Tray, Watercolors, Play Dough, Drawings, House-Tree-Person, Finger Painting.
- Directive Techniques:
- I Spy, Movement & Music, Drama, Puppets, Maps, What Do You Want to Be?, Animal Play, Doll House, Dance, Board Games, Emotions – Feeling Faces.
- Interactive Practice: Participants will engage with these techniques through group activities.
III. Play Therapy for Specific Disorders
- Techniques for:
- Anger & OCD
- Anxiety
- ADHD
- Depression & Self-Esteem
- Trauma & PTSD
- Abuse
- Fears
- Play Therapy with Families, Groups, and Couples
- How to apply Play Therapy in family, group, and couples settings for enhanced communication and healing.
- Areas of Caution
- Mediums: Choosing appropriate materials.
- Sexualized/Acting Out Behaviors: Addressing inappropriate behaviors.
- Abuse-Related Play: Understanding repetitive themes in abused children.
- Conclusion
- Q&A and Reflection: Discuss experiences, insights, and integration into practice.
Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the Purpose and Goals of Play Therapy
- Grasp how Play Therapy helps children express emotions, process trauma, and develop coping skills.
- Learn and Implement Play Therapy Techniques
- Acquire practical, easy-to-use techniques tailored to specific issues such as anxiety, anger, ADHD, and trauma.
- Use Play Therapy as a Diagnostic Tool
- Learn how to interpret children’s play to assess their emotional and psychological state.
- Match Techniques to Presenting Problems
- Understand which Play Therapy techniques are most effective for different children and issues (e.g., self-esteem, depression, fears).
- Address Areas of Caution
- Identify important considerations when selecting materials, including potential risks with certain types of play and behaviors.
- Apply Play Therapy in Various Settings
- Learn how to use Play Therapy techniques effectively in individual, group, and family therapy contexts.
Continuing Education Credits
This workshop has been formally approved by the following associations:
- Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)
Jack Hirose & Associates is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Jack Hirose & Associates maintains responsibility for the program.
† The Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) and the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Social Workers (NLASW) accept CPA-approved CEUs.
* Participants will receive a certificate of completion after every workshop. Workshops are pre-approved for 5.5 or 6 credits per day unless otherwise specified.
Your Presenter(s)
Christine Dargon, Ph.D., is a practicing psychologist with over 20 years of experience. She has been working with children and families for years in such areas as abuse, divorce and custody disputes, children of alcoholic/drug addicted parents and adopted children. She currently has a private practice in Northern AZ where she offers a wide range of psychological services including play therapy, counseling for individuals of all ages, couples and family therapies. Dr. Dargon has also been teaching on the undergraduate and graduate levels for over 15 years specializing in Child Development and Counseling. She is currently on faculty at Grand Canyon University serving students in the Masters’ of Counseling Psychology Program and undergraduate programs as well as Ashford University teaching undergraduate courses. Dr. Dargon received her Doctorate of Counseling Psychology from Seton Hall University with a specialization in Family Therapy, her Masters’ of Science in Education in Counseling and Personnel Services from Fordham University with a focus in School Counseling and her Bachelors’ in Psychology and Sociology from The University of Connecticut. She is also a member of the Association for Play Therapy. Dr. Dargon is the Founder and Director of a Children’s’ Theater Company and served for years as the Director of the Drama program at a large metropolitan high school on the east coast. She has much training and experience with Drama and Dance and now integrates that into her therapeutic work.
Testimonials
“Dr. Dargon was superb! She was enthusiastic, knowledgeable and extremely helpful. Thanks for a rewarding, educational day.”
– Heather Guillou | Langley, BC | November 20-22, 2017“All three days were wonderfully informative. Your energy and enthusiasm was so welcoming. Your passion and depth of knowledge on all topics explored was clearly evident. I love all the practical take-away pieces, scripts and resource links + tools provided. Thanks so much.”
– Erica Mackinnon | Halifax, NS | June 7-8, 2017
Who Should Attend
Education and Clinical Professionals: All education and mental health or healthcare professionals who work with children or youth including, but not limited to K–12 Classroom Teachers, School Counsellors, Learning Assistance/Resource Teachers, School Administrators, School Paraprofessionals including Special Education Assistants, Classroom Assistants and Childcare Workers • All other professionals who support behavioural challenges and complex learning needs including but not limited to: Nurses, Social Workers, Psychologists, Clinical Counsellors, Family Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Addiction Counsellors, Youth Workers, Mental Health Workers, Probation Officers and Community Police Officers.
Recommended Accommodation
Hampton Inn and Suites Langley
19500 Langley Bypass, Surrey, BC V3S 7R2
phone: 604.530.6545
Our rates:
* Please check back at a later time as this information will be updated when corporate/group rates are secured.
When booking hotel rooms, ask for the Jack Hirose and Associates corporate rate. To receive our corporate rate, rooms must be booked one month prior to the workshop date. Please keep in mind hotel rates may fluctuate.
Registration & Fees
| Registration | Early bird Fee | Regular Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Individual Enrollment | $319.00 | $339.00 |
| Group 3-7 | $269.00 | $289.00 |
| Group 8-14 | $244.00 | $264.00 |
| Group 15+ | $219.00 | $239.00 |
| Full-Time Student | $219.00 | $239.00 |
All fees are per person and in Canadian Dollars ($CAD)
Fees do not include applicable taxes (5% GST).
Early bird cutoff date: March 24, 2025
To receive the early bird rate, registration and payment must be received by Monday, March 24, 2025.
Please review our Registration Terms and Conditions for information on our cancellation policy, payment policies, rebates, and more. You must agree to our Terms and Conditions to register for a workshop or conference.
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