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Pam Dyson Receives Play Therapy Award

Pam Dyson, MA, LPC, RPT, founder and director of the St. Louis Center for Play Therapy Training is the recipient of the 2013 Key Award for Professional Education and Training from the Association for Play Therapy.

The award is based upon achievement and service between June 1, 2012 and May 31, 2013.  

Other award recipients include:
 

■ Lifetime Achievement Award - Linda Homeyer, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S, Canyon Lake, TX
 
■ Public Education & Promotion Award - Norma Leban, LCSW-S, RPT-S, Pflugerville, TX

■ APT Service Award - Mary Ruth Cross, LMFT, NCC, RPT-S, San Ramon, CA

All award recipients will be honored at the Oct. 11 Recognition and Awards Dinner during the 2013 APT Conference in Palm Springs, CA.

Have You Heard the News?

The St. Louis Center for Play Therapy Training is pleased to announce a partnership with Collaborative Counseling Consultation Resources LLC .

Beginning August 1, 2013 our trainings will be held at 3906 S. Old Hwy 94, Suite 600, St. Charles, MO  63304.

The new location will allow us to accommodate larger class sizes at our trainings.

Directions to Collaborative Counseling Consultation Resources and lodging information for those coming from out of town can be found HERE.

Registration information for future training can be found at STL Play Therapy.

 

Self-Care for Play Therapists

I'm a contributing writer for the Utah Association for Play Therapy website this month.

I wrote about Self-Care for Play Therapists because I’ve learned that in order to be the best play therapist I can be I need to incorporate self-care strategies into my life on a daily or weekly basis.

A Very Special Meetup

I was excited yesterday to receive a message from Barbara Gruener, a school counselor, and the author of the amazing blog The Corner on Character.

She was in the St. Louis area attending the Character Education Conference and wanted to know if I  had time to meetup with her.  Well, of course I did!

We had lunch today and it was such a treat to chat with her about our common interests not only in working with children but also in growing up on a farm. Barbara is a high energy person with such a passion for children. Even though we only spent an hour together I feel as if I've known her a very long time.

Barbara was so gracious to give me a set of her Character Cards. I can't wait to use them!

The hostess at Cracker Barrel was kind enough to take our photo together so we can both document this special occasion.

Wholehearted Parenting – Play is the Work of Children…The Ins and Outs of Play Therapy

We often trivialize play and only view it as something kids do. We’re right, not only do kids play, but they’re experts at it. We also know that “play is the work of children”, according to the developmental psychologist Jean Piaget.

Play therapy offers a view into a child’s world. Play therapists are specially trained therapists, who incorporate techniques to help children express their feelings and adjust to life’s difficulties. Children, who benefit from play therapy, might be experiencing a divorce, death, health issues, school, family or friendship issues.

I hope you will take the time to listen to my conversation with Bonnie Compton APRN, BC, CPNP, host of Wholehearted Parenting as we discuss the benefit of play therapy for children. You’ll learn what play therapy is and how it may help your child.

The Ins and Outs of Play Therapy

Worry Stones

A simple gem stone can be used to help a child manage anxiety.