Living in a developmental stage that is inherently confusing and chaotic, adolescents are vulnerable, unsure of themselves, and often guarded when it comes to trusting and relating to others. Most teens and tweens are not in therapy by choice, and typically are NOT interested in talking about their feelings or the issues adults have identified as “problems,” especially with a stranger.
As a therapist, this presents a challenge for engaging teens and tweens who are clearly struggling but unwilling or unable to talk about it. At a time when adolescents and preteens need our help in navigating the multiple challenges of family, academic, and social life more than ever, the gap between clinical theory as taught in graduate school and real-life practice continues to widen.
Play therapy offers a unique avenue for expression that honors these clients’ developmental level and gives language to their thoughts and feelings in a non-threatening manner. Through the power of play, you can help teens and tweens process their emotions, build self-regulation skills, improve distress tolerance, and discover themselves in a non-directive safe way.
Watch trauma expert and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S), Dr. Jennifer Lefebre, in this recording full of creative, effective play-based interventions that can easily be integrated into the work you are already doing.
Using music, metaphors, art, movement, sandtrays and more, you can effectively treat many of the clinical issues these kids are facing, including:
Discover how play therapy will inspire and transform your work with tweens and teens!
| File type | File name | Number of pages | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual - Play Therapy for Tweens and Teens (2.57 MB) | 50 Pages | Available after Purchase |
Jennifer Lefebre, PsyD, RPT-S, is a clinical psychologist, registered play therapist supervisor, and trauma-sensitive yoga facilitator. She is the president-elect for the New England Association for Play Therapy. Her clinical and research interests focus on the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, adults and families whose lives have been impacted by complex trauma. Dr. Lefebre has extensive experience working with young children (0-5), adult survivors of severe childhood abuse and neglect, first responders, and combat veterans.
Dr. Lefebre is the clinical director at Healing the Child Within, a holistic trauma center in northwestern Connecticut which integrates psychotherapy, yoga, play, and expressive arts therapies into the treatment of complex trauma. She also provides clinical supervision and play therapy consultation throughout New England and online, and an adjunct faculty member at several universities, teaching both at the undergraduate and graduate level. In addition to being an experienced play therapist and professor, Dr. Lefebre is a sought-after expert for speaking engagements, podcasts and webinars on the topics of play therapy and complex childhood trauma.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Jennifer Lefebre is in private practice. She receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Jennifer Lefebre is a member of the Association of Play Therapy.
ADVANCING ADOLESCENT TREATMENT WITH PLAY THERAPY
Why Play Therapy? What is It, and How is It Different with Teens and Tweens?
From Client-Centered to CBT, a Myriad of Play Therapy Approaches as Applied to Adolescents
ADOLESCENT DEVELOPMENT ~ TASKS, THEORIES & CHALLENGES
Physical, Cognitive, Moral, and Psychosocial Development Changes and Milestones of Tweens and Teens
Influences of Culture, Heredity, Environment and Social Setting on Adolescents
Striking a Balance
PROVEN PLAY THERAPY TECHNIQUES
Enjoy the Silence ~ How to Use Silence to Increase Engagement and Therapeutic Rapport
Walk this Way ~ Embodied Play Therapy and Movement Techniques to Increase Emotional and Behavioral Regulation
What’s on Your Play List? ~ How to Use Music to Facilitate Therapeutic Discussion
Enter Sandman ~ The Use of Sandtrays to Facilitate Verbal and Nonverbal Expressions of Thoughts, Feelings and Behaviors
How to Use Drawing, Paint, Clay, Masks, and More!
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