Live Virtual Training via Zoom

Rochelle Ritzi, PhD, presents a live virtual professional training program on Effective Parent Consultations in Play Therapy.

To increase effectiveness, play therapists need to not only work with children, but their caregivers. A goal of a play therapist is to develop a relationship with parents and caregivers so that they feel accepted, understood, and safe in order for them to receive feedback, including encouragement and skill-building, from the play therapist. 

Participants in this training will gain knowledge and practical skills to include parents and caregivers in the play therapy process so that children gain the most benefit from play therapy. Participants will also increase their confidence in building the therapist-caregiver relationship with caregivers who are eager to be included, as well as caregivers who are resistant to change or feedback. 

This training is intended for clinicians at any stage in their play therapy learning, but especially for beginning play therapists or those who are still under play therapy supervision, including participants who would be interested in working with children and participants who work in an agency, school, or private practice settings. 

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this training, participants will be able to:

  • 1 Describe the importance of the therapist-parent/caregiver relationship in the play therapy process
  • 2 Describe at least three reasons why children benefit from parent/caregiver consultations
  • 3 Describe at least three techniques to develop a relationship with parents in which caregivers feel accepted, understood, and safe in order for the therapist to offer encouragement and skill-building
  • 4 Describe least three techniques to teach parents/caregivers in the play therapy process
  • 5 Describe three techniques to align with parents/caregivers to increase the likelihood of children staying in play therapy until goals are reached

  • Intended Audience

    This workshop is designed for clinicians who are interested in working with children and recognize the importance of involving parents and caregivers in the play therapy process. The intended audience values building strong, collaborative relationships with caregivers to enhance therapeutic outcomes for children. They are committed to developing practical skills for engaging caregivers, fostering a sense of acceptance and safety, and supporting families through encouragement and skill-building. These clinicians seek to increase their confidence in working with both receptive and resistant caregivers to ensure children receive the maximum benefit from play therapy.

    • Mental Health Professional
    • Play Therapist
    • School Counselor
    • Social Worker
    • Child and Family Therapist
    • Agency Clinician
    • Private Practice Clinician

  • Experience Level

    This training is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals who are beginning their play therapy practice or are under play therapy supervision.
    • Beginner: New to play therapy or early in their training; interested in learning foundational skills for engaging parents and caregivers in the therapeutic process.
    • Pre-licensed/Under Supervision: Gaining experience with children and families in agency, school, or private practice settings; seeking practical techniques to build effective therapist-caregiver relationships and increase confidence in parent consultations.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals who attend this workshop typically practice in environments where they provide therapeutic support to children and families. These settings prioritize creating a welcoming, safe, and collaborative atmosphere for both children and their caregivers. Professionals may work individually or as part of a multidisciplinary team, often engaging with families in spaces designed to foster trust, play, and open communication. Their work environments support ongoing learning and skill development, especially for those early in their play therapy careers or under supervision.

    • Community mental health agencies serving children and families
    • Private therapy practices specializing in child and family therapy
    • School counseling offices providing support to students and their families
    • Nonprofit organizations offering play therapy and family services
    • Outpatient clinics focused on pediatric mental health
    • Group practices with a focus on child and adolescent therapy

Presented By

Rochelle Ritzi, PhD Palo Alto University, Adjunct Professor

Rochelle is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor, National Certified Counselor, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, Certified First Responder Counselor, and an adjunct professor at the University of North Texas and Palo Alto University. Rochelle holds a Doctoral degree in Counseling, with a specialty in Play Therapy from the University of North Texas. There, she became a Certified Child-Centered Play Therapist Supervisor/Trainer, and a Certified Child-Parent Relationship Therapy Supervisor/Trainer. Rochelle is a Past President of the Texas Association for Play Therapy, and served on the board at the North Texas Chapter of TAPT. She has published in the field, as well as travels nationally and internationally supporting play therapy and clinical research, Rochelle is a co-owner/founder of Bright Spot Counseling Center in Richardson, Texas, where she works with individuals and groups of all ages. She also enjoys being involved in the Deaf/Hard of Hearing culture and is fluent in ASL.

View More Programs from this Presenter
Rochelle Ritzi, PhD

Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Basic ideas of play therapy

  • Important skills therapists use in sessions (shown with videos and simple activities)

  • How to talk with parents about their child’s play therapy

  • Simple ways to help parents support their child at home

Live Event Policy

Registration for our live events is covered for one (1) person per purchase. If you would like to purchase for a group, please contact our group training team.

  • Event Communications

    When registering, use an email that is active and that you check regularly. We are not responsible for communications not being received; if you do not add [email protected] to your email safe sender list, our emails are likely to end up in your spam or junk folders.

  • Cancellation Policy

    This is a live program only and will not be made available on-demand. If you are unable to attend live please contact customer service 48 hours before the live event to request a refund.

  • Event Conduct

    Professional conduct is expected during our live programs. Our goal is to make our events as interactive as possible for all participants. We reserve the right to remove any participants who are disruptive, act unprofessionally, or who we are unable to verify their purchase.

CE Sponsorship Information

Palo Alto University, Continuing & Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by, recognized by, or maintains sponsorship/ provider status with the following boards and agencies. We maintain responsibility for all content in our CE/CPD programs. For more information, visit here. 

  1. American Psychological Association (APA): Approved sponsor of continuing education for psychologists.

  2. Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB): Approved continuing education provider (ACE program, Provider #1480), 11/22/2023–11/22/2026.

  3. Canadian Psychological Association (CPA): Approved to sponsor continuing education for psychologists.

  4. National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC): Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP No. 7190).



Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT), 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 #SW-0356 and 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-0073. Palo Alto University, Continuing and Professional Studies (CONCEPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6811. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CONCEPT Professional Training, #1480, is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved as ACE providers. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. CONCEPT Professional Training maintains responsibility for this course. ACE provider approval period: 11/22/23-11/22/26. Social workers completing this course receive (clinical or social work ethics) continuing education credits.