Polyvagal Theory Applied: Therapeutic Use of Digital Tools in Play Therapy

“The Therapeutic Powers of Play refer to the specific change agents in which play initiates, facilitates, or strengthens their therapeutic effect.” (Schaefer and Drewes, 2014). Appropriately utilizing digital tools in play therapy has a clear connection to the Therapeutic Powers of Play (Stone, 2020). With this in mind, it is necessary to examine appropriate use of digital tools (as with any other tool in the playroom) in play therapy.

Using digital tools in therapy is not new and will only be more standard over time. Children, and even young adults, seeking services are ‘digital native...Read mores,’ meaning digital tools are, and have been, a natural integral part of daily living for both current and future clients (Stone, 2020). Additionally, digital tools have historically been used in a plethora of scenarios related to mental health treatment, i.e. cancer wards during treatment to help relieve anxiety symptoms (Griffiths, et al, 2017).

Therapeutic use of digital tools in play therapy has the potential to provide safety and connection in ways that traditional play may not (for example development of avatar, learning about the client’s digital language and gaming culture).

In this 6-hour workshop, participants learn the organizing principles of the Polyvagal Theory as applied through digital tools in Play Therapy. Less...

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the functions of 3 states of the Autonomic Nervous System: Ventral Vagal, Sympathetic, and Dorsal Vagal as applied through the use of digital tools in Play Therapy.
  • Explain the neuroscience of the emotions, communication, and the social engagement system through exploration of adaptive reactions of the autonomic nervous system.
  • Explain how the 5 Cs support felt-safety in therapeutic use of digital tools in Play Therapy.
  • Explain how therapeutic use of digital tools in Play Therapy supports regulation of the autonomic nervous system and increases capacity to regulate.
  • Explain how to support clients with state change by utilizing Autonomic Nervous System mapping through the therapeutic use of digital tools in play therapy.
  • Identify 9 therapeutic digital tool applications in Play Therapy utilizing tenets of Polyvagal Theory to enhance social relationships and foster emotional wellness with children and adolescent clients.
  • List 9 ways to convey cues of safety in therapeutic use of digital tools in Play Therapy.

Friday, August 19, 2022

Live Interactive Webinar

10:00 AM EDT - 05:15 PM EDT

Register for this Webinar
EARN 6 CE Credit Hours

About the speakers

Jackie Flynn, EdS, LMHC-S, RPT-S

Jackie Flynn, EdS, LMHC-S, RPT-S

EMDRIA Approved Consultant and Advanced Trainer
Jackie Flynn, EdS, LMHC-S, RPT-S, a leader in trauma therapy, is known for her expertise in integrating play therapy, EMDR, and Gottman Method Couples Therapy. She's an advanced trainer for EMDRIA and an approved credit provider for the Association for Play Therapy. Jackie hosts global events like the Innovative Child Therapy Symposium and co-hosts the Playful EMDR Summit and Neuroscience of Play Therapy Summit. Her engaging presentations on nervous system-informed therapy, based on Dr. Stephen Porges' Polyvagal Theory, teach therapists worldwide. She offers mentorship and supervision, empowering therapists to integrate EMDR and play therapy. Jackie fosters a global play therapy community dedicated to transformative healing.
Fiona Hill, LPC, RPT

Fiona Hill, LPC, RPT

Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Founder of Lighthouse Play and Consulting
Fiona Hill is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in Missouri and holds national certification as a Registered Play Therapist. She has extensive experience providing services in nonprofit and government agency settings. She has worked in full-time private practice since 2019, offering specialized therapeutic services in the areas of childhood trauma and attachment disruption. She also supports families impacted by varying developmental needs within the family system. In addition, Fiona has a sub-specialty of incorporating digital tools into therapeutic practice, about which she is very passionate. She has provided professional training and published therapeutic interventions related to this topic. She is currently an active member of the Association for Play Therapy and the Mental Health Virtual Reality Coalition. She is also an advisory board member for Digital Play Therapy TM and technology committee member for the World Association of Sand Therapy Professionals.

Agenda

Building the Foundation

10:00 am - 11:30 am - 90 Minutes

  • Polyvagal Theory
  • Therapeutic Use of Digital Tools

15 Minute BREAK 11:30-11:45

The Organizing Principles of the Polyvagal Theory in the Digital World

11:45 am - 12:45 pm - 60 Minutes

1 hour LUNCH 12:45-1:45

Applying the Therapeutic Powers of Play

1:45 pm 2:15 pm - 30 Minutes

Present with Case Application

2:15 pm - 3:15 pm - 60 Minutes

  • Explore Case Vignettes
  • Watch a Role-Play of Upcoming Experiential Activity in Practicum
  • Participative Discussion

Experiential

3:15 pm - 5:15 pm - 120 Minutes

  • Practicum of Learned Concepts in Small Groups
  • Participative Discussion

CE Information - Earn 6 CE Credit Hours

CE Approvals

American Psychological Association
CE Learning Systems, LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CE Learning Systems maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work
CE Learning Systems SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0060.
New York Education Department for Licensed Mental Health Counselors
CE Learning Systems, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors. #MHC-0072.
New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology
CE Learning Systems dba CE-Credit.com & AddictionCounselorCE.com is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0016.
Association for Play Therapy
This course is pending approval for 6 non-contact education hours. Provider Code 20-628

CE Process Info

Each professional is responsible for the individual requirements as stipulated by his/her licensing agency. Please contact your individual licensing board/regulatory agency to review continuing education requirements for licensure renewal. Please note: You must attend "live" (in real-time) to earn CE credits.

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Upon accessing the CE-Go "attendee dashboard", you will be able to:

  • Complete evaluation forms for the event
  • Download your continuing education certificate in a PDF format

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