Pam Dyson Wins National Play Therapy Award

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

The award was based upon achievement and service between June 1, 2012 and May 31, 2013.  
 
Pam was honored at the Oct. 11 Recognition and Awards Dinner during the 2013 APT Conference in Palm Springs, CA.

Other award recipients included:
 
■ 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 

Anxiety Buster

Anxious children spend a lot of time trying to manage their anxiety by learning anything and everything they can about a situation. The technique, "What I Know - What I Don't Know," helps a child understand that even though it's not possible to know everything about a given situation there are things they do know and it can be very empowering.

Conversation Starters

Looking for ways to engage a child in a therapeutic setting? 

Try these fun conversation starters.

The Magic Key

The Magic Key is a projective assessment technique created by Dr. David Crenshaw. Download a copy of the technique from Dr. Crenshaw's web site: http://www.rhinebeckcfc.com/

Thumb Print Feelings Poster

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.

Tucker the Turtle

The turtle technique is a helpful tool for children who have a difficult time managing their anger. 

The Family Quilt

Many families struggle with being able to see that each family member brings unique strengths to the family and that without each member, their family would not be complete. The family quilt technique enables them to see their family from a new perspective.

Flip Flop Faces!

What do you get when you combine feelings and bean bags? FLIP, FLOP, FACES!

What Is Play Therapy?

Play therapy is a theoretically based treatment approach for children 3-12 years of age that uses a child’s natural tendency to “play out” their reactions to life situations. Toys in a play therapy room include games, puppets, art supplies, and sand trays. All toys are carefully selected to facilitate creative and emotional expression from children.

In play therapy children learn how to identify and recognize their feelings. It improves their self-concept, reduces anxiety and initiates behavioral changes. By making appropriate choices in the play room children find solutions to problems and learn self control which leads to taking responsibility for their actions.

Play therapy is facilitated by a play therapist that provides an environment where a child feels safe to play out his or her concerns. As a result, the therapist can assess the child’s play and make recommendations to parents concerning plans for resolving problems.

Children who are dealing with death, divorce, abandonment, or abuse can benefit from play therapy Children who are experiencing difficulty adjusting to moving, starting school, the birth of a sibling or a chronic illness can find emotional support in play therapy. Play therapy can also help children who are experiencing problems related to anxiety, ADHD, autism, attachment disorders, and learning disabilities. 

With advanced play therapy training, experience and supervision, a mental health professional can earn the Registered Play Therapist or Registered Play Therapist Credential conferred by the Association for Play Therapy (APT). APT is a national non-profit professional society that provides research, training and credentialing programs to assist and enhance the expertise of mental health professionals. Additional information is available at www.a4pt.org

For more information on Pam Dyson and her play therapy services visit www.pamdyson.com Mental health professionals can learn more about play therapy training opportunities at www.stlplaytherapy.com

Feelings Bucket Toss

Ollie The Octopus

Many children who are impulsive have a difficult time keeping their hands to themselves. Using the many arms of an octopus children are encouraged to come up with ways to keep their hands busy.

Look What I Found at the Dollar Store

Dollar stores are a playground for therapists who are looking for affordable items to use in their play therapy room.