Live Virtual Training via Zoom

Lauren Chase, PhD, presents a live virtual professional training program on Intro to Child-Centered Play Therapy.

Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) is a developmentally responsive, evidence-based intervention designed to help children express themselves, process experiences, and build resilience through the therapeutic power of play. Grounded in person-centered theory, CCPT emphasizes the child’s innate capacity for growth when provided with a safe, accepting, and understanding environment.

This introductory training will familiarize participants with the theoretical foundations, goals, and core skills of CCPT. Participants will learn about the therapist’s role as a facilitator of self-expression and emotional regulation, and how CCPT can address a wide range of childhood concerns, including anxiety, grief, trauma, and behavioral difficulties. Emphasis will also be placed on promoting equity, inclusion, and cultural sensitivity within the playroom.

The training will balance didactic instruction with interactive demonstrations, case examples, and opportunities for reflection, equipping participants with practical skills they can begin to integrate into their clinical practice. This workshop is ideal for clinicians seeking a foundational understanding of CCPT and its value in supporting the mental health of children and adolescents.

Training Intended Audience:

  • Career Stage: Early-career to mid-career professionals seeking training in play therapy interventions
  • Specialty Areas: Child & adolescent counseling, school-based counseling, clinical mental health counseling
  • Work Environments: Private practice, schools, community mental health agencies, and hospital outpatient programs

Learning Objectives

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

  • 1 Describe the theoretical foundations of Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) within humanistic and developmental frameworks
  • 2 Describe four core skills and attitudes necessary for effective CCPT practice (e.g., tracking, reflecting feelings, limit setting)
  • 3 Describe three therapeutic benefits of CCPT for children experiencing emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges
  • 4 Describe three cultural considerations and the role of equity and inclusion in the practice of CCPT
  • 5 Describe an understanding of how CCPT can be integrated into a broader treatment plan
  • 6 Describe CCPT principles to two case examples involving common child and adolescent presenting issues (e.g., anxiety, grief, family transitions)

  • Intended Audience

    This training is designed for professionals who specialize in child and adolescent counseling, school-based counseling, and clinical mental health counseling, and who work in diverse environments such as private practice, schools, community mental health agencies, and hospital outpatient programs. The intended audience is committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents through developmentally responsive, evidence-based interventions that emphasize equity, inclusion, and cultural sensitivity.

    • Mental Health Professional
    • School Counselor
    • Child and Adolescent Therapist
    • Clinical Mental Health Counselor
    • School-Based Mental Health Provider
    • Community Mental Health Clinician
    • Outpatient Program Therapist
    • Play Therapist

  • Experience Level

    This introductory training is designed for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals who are new to Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) and seeking foundational knowledge and skills.

    • Beginner: Participants have limited or no prior experience with CCPT or play therapy modalities and are interested in learning the theoretical foundations, core skills, and practical applications of CCPT for use in clinical settings with children and adolescents.
    • Early-career: Participants may be in the process of completing licensure or have recently begun clinical work with children and are seeking evidence-based, developmentally responsive interventions to support child and adolescent mental health.

  • Practice Setting

    Professionals who participate in this training typically work in environments dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of children and adolescents. These settings are characterized by a focus on providing safe, supportive, and culturally sensitive care, often involving collaboration with families, schools, and multidisciplinary teams. The practice environments may range from individual offices to school counseling centers, community agencies, and outpatient clinics, each offering unique opportunities to implement developmentally appropriate, evidence-based interventions. Examples of practice settings:

    • Private practice offices specializing in child and adolescent therapy
    • School counseling departments within elementary, middle, or high schools
    • Community mental health centers serving diverse youth populations
    • Hospital-based outpatient mental health programs for children and teens
    • Nonprofit organizations providing counseling and support services to families
    • Integrated behavioral health teams within pediatric or family medicine clinics
    • Play therapy rooms designed for therapeutic work with young children

Presented By

Lauren Chase, PhD PhD, Counselor Education and Supervision

Dr. Lauren Chase is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Perinatal Mental Health-Certified (PMH-C) specialist. She is the founder of Climbing Hills Counseling, where she provides therapy for children, adolescents, and high-achieving women. With expertise in play therapy, child development, and evidence-based interventions, Dr. Chase blends person-centered and cognitive-behavioral approaches in her clinical and teaching work. She has presented on child-centered play therapy, parenting support, and women’s mental health at professional workshops, universities, and national conferences.

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Lauren Chase, PhD

Presented By

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Training Outline

Key topics covered in this training include:

  • Introduction (10 min): Overview of CCPT, history, and theoretical roots

  • Core Principles (20 min): Unconditional positive regard, therapist role, play as communication

  • Key Skills (20 min): Tracking, reflecting feelings, encouragement, limit setting

  • Applications (20 min): Case examples—anxiety, grief, family transitions

  • Equity & Inclusion (15 min): Cultural considerations, addressing systemic barriers

  • Interactive Component (20 min): Demonstration, skills practice, or role play

  • Q&A / Wrap-Up (15 min)

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.