CARE Developmental Play Therapy Course Objectives

Co-sponsored by the Florida Association for Play Therapy

At the end of this Intensive Four-Day DPT Training participants will be able to:

Day I

  • Define the approach of DPT
  • Explain the theoretical foundations of DPT
  • Describe the six key principles of DPT.
  • Describe the four initiatives of DPT.
  • Describe the five Modes of therapeutic DPT intervention
  • List the client populations which DPT can be most effective
  • Explain the difference between symbolic play and “first” play

Day II

  • Explain what is meant by touch in DPT
  • State the relevant literature and research related to touch
  • Understand how touch can provide the basis for a “felt-self”.
  • State how DPT touch based training contributes to ethical practice standards.
  • Experience touch exercises within the safe environment of the workshop format.
  • State the four initiatives of DPT
  • Demonstrate at least eight different therapist-child DPT interventions

Day III

  • Explain overall child-group considerations
  • Explain the pre-group preparation of the adults participating in a DPT group
  • Describe how to structure and incorporate a traditional DPT directed group with children
    and an adult partner.
  • Describe what happens in the Dyadic component of the DPT group process
  • Describe the process of Circle Time in DPT Groups
  • Describe how to adapt DPT interventions with an individual therapist guided DPT group.

Day IV

  • Understand DPT within the context of a therapist-parent-child led case example of a child
    diagnosed with Aspergers
  • Understand DPT in action in a case presentation of a child experiencing psychotic symptoms
  • Understand DPT in relationship to parent-child reunification
  • Describe how to implement four art drawings into DPT assessment
  • Explain how to use pre-post therapy drawings as an indicator of therapeutic progress
  • Describe how pre-post therapy drawings can be used in DPT research
  • Describe a parent-child guided session.
  • State three ways in which DPT interventions can be adapted to teenagers, adults and the elderly
  • State two different DPT interventions for aggression