Applying Polyvagal Theory to Your Play Therapy Practice for Safety, Connection & Healing

CPD

Planning Committee Disclosure - No relevant relationships

All members of the PESI, Inc. planning committee have provided disclosures of financial relationships with ineligible organizations and any relevant non-financial relationships prior to planning content for this activity. None of the committee members had relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies or other potentially biasing relationships to disclose to learners.  For speaker disclosures, please see the faculty biography.

Handouts

Faculty

Jackie Flynn, EdS, LMHC-S, RPT Related seminars and products

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Jackie Flynn, EdS, LMHC-S, RPT, is a licensed psychotherapist, registered play therapist, certified EMDR therapist, EMDR consultant, and a certified Safe and Sound Protocol provider. She hosts Play Therapy Community®, where clinicians gather together from around the world to share resources and inspire each other. As a co-host of the Neuroscience of Play Therapy and Playful EMDR Summit, as well as the founder of EMDR and Play Therapy Integration Support, she supports countless clinicians internationally learning about the power of PLAY through training and consultation.  

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Jaqueline Flynn is the founder of Play Therapy Community and maintains a private practice. She receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Jaqueline Flynn is a member of the Association for Play Therapy (APT) and EMDR International Association (EMDRIA).

Objectives

1. Analyze the neuroscience of emotions, communication, and the social engagement system, successfully integrating them with play therapy and the therapeutic powers of play.
2. Apply 5 or more play therapy techniques as they relate to perception, interoception, and neuroception.
3. Investigate the functions of the three states of the Autonomic Nervous System, formulating how understanding neurobiology is necessary for the treatment of children with complex trauma histories.
4. Demonstrate 5 or more play therapy techniques to increase children's capacity to manage stress, express themselves, regulate emotional states, and navigate relationships.

Outline

• Foundational Concepts of Polyvagal Theory
• Neuroscience of emotions, communication, and the social engagement system
• Perception, interoception, and neuroception
• Impact of trauma and its role in the aetiology in childhood dysregulation
• Stress response patterns as survival strategies
• The three states of the Autonomic Nervous System and its impact on a child's capacity to
  • Manage stress
  • Express themselves
  • Regulate emotional states
  • Navigate relationships

• Foundational Concepts of Play Therapy
• Neuroscience of Play and best practices when integrating Polyvagal Theory
• The importance of neurobiology in creating a felt sense of safety
• The Therapeutic  Powers of Play
  • Fostering emotional wellness
  • Facilitate communication
  • Enhance social relationships
  • Increase personal strengths
• The brain-body connection through the Therapeutic Powers of Play

• Play therapy strategies, skills, and modalities for the practical application of Polyvagal theory
  • Autonomic Nervous System Mapping
  • Rigidity – Chaos Continuum
  • Accessing the social engagement system in aggressive situations
  • Increasing attunement via Mirroring Game, Mimes, Ball Toss, and more!
  • Widen the window of tolerance between parent and child through peek-a-boo, hide-and-seek, and more!
  • Strengthen connection and dual awareness with nature play therapy, movement, and more!
  • Co-regulate and increase the positive effects of social engagement through expressive arts and more!

Target Audience

• Counselors
• Marriage and Family Therapists
• Mental Health Clinicians
• Play Therapists
• Psychologists
• Psychiatrists
• School Counselors
• Social Workers