AAPT Blog

Danyale Weems, LCSW, RPT-S™ Friday, January 23, 2026 - When Worlds Split: A Play Therapist Role in Divorce Transitions Description Children who are often caught in the throes of their caregivers divorce experience emotional, behavioral, and relational challenges that require sensitive, developmentally appropriateinterventions. Clinicians experience a parallel process becoming entangled with their childclients who are in the middle of a high conflict divorce which … Continue reading

3rd Annual Alabama Association for Play Therapy Two-Day Conference - REGISTRATION CLOSED June 20-21, 2025 in Birmingham, AL Lifeline Children’s Services 200 Missionary Ridge, Birmingham, AL 35242 Attendees will be able to select either one-day (Friday only or Saturday only) or two-day (Friday and Saturday) registration. Conference Schedule All times are CST Friday, June 20, 2025 (6 contact hours) 8:00-8:30 Registration 8:30-11:45 Dalena Dillman … Continue reading

Amy Davis, PhD, LPC, SB-RPT™ Friday, April 25, 2025 - Ethical Excellence in Play Therapy: Principles, Challenges, and Best Practices REGISTRATION CLOSED Description Ethics form the foundation of effective and compassionate play therapy practice. This interactive six-hour workshop equips play therapists with the knowledge and skills to navigate ethical challenges with confidence and integrity. Participants will explore foundational ethical principles—autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice—and apply … Continue reading

Mary Ruth Cross, LMFT, NCC, RPT-S™ & Leslie Baker, LMFT, NCC, RPT-S™ Friday, January 24, 2025 - Restoring Hope to Youth in Play: Suicide Assessment, Treatment & Prevention Description Participants will assess for suicide risk via Prescriptive play, integrated expressive play into care, and suicide prevention tools. This workshop will address diverse populations’ needs. This workshop will address issues of diversity by elucidating the unique risks and warning signs for many populations, … Continue reading

2nd Annual Alabama Association for Play Therapy Two-Day Conference - June 21-22, 2024 in Birmingham, AL Lifeline Children’s Services 200 Missionary Ridge, Birmingham, AL 35242 Attendees will be able to select either one-day (Friday only or Saturday only) or two-day (Friday and Saturday) registration. Conference Schedule All times are CST Friday, June 21, 2024 (6 contact hours) 8:00-8:30 Registration 8:30-11:45 Tammi Van Hollander … Continue reading

Dr. LaKaavia Taylor LPC-S, NCC, RPT™ Friday, April 12, 2024 - Playing for Resilience: Utilizing Play Therapy to Foster Strength in African American Children Registration is Closed Description Historically, African American children and their families have been impacted by systemic racism, resulting in racial stress and marginalization. Parents and caregivers are tasked with the added challenge of helping African American children navigate racism and discrimination (Harris … Continue reading

James Jackson, PhD, LPC-S, NCC, RPT-S™ Saturday, January 27, 2024 - Sand Tray at the Beach: Play Therapy Using Sand, Water, & Figures REGISTRATION FULL Description Sand tray therapy is an approach within the broader field of play therapy that provides clients with a number of different therapeutic elements including sand, water, the container, and objects such as images, figures, toys, etc. It aligns with … Continue reading

1st Annual Alabama Association for Play Therapy Two-Day Conference - June 23-24, 2023 in Birmingham, AL The Alabama Association for Play Therapy is celebrating its 30th year as a state branch of the Association for Play Therapy by having our 1st 2-day Conference in Birmingham. Lifeline Children’s Services 200 Missionary Ridge, Birmingham, AL 35242 Attendees will be able to select either one-day (Friday only or … Continue reading

Robyn Simmons EdD, LPC, NCC, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor on Friday, April 7, 2023 - Being a Responsible Play Therapist: Ethics, Supervision, and Self-Care Description In practicing play therapy, it is critical for the clinician to be aware of specific ethical considerations in working with minor clients. Additionally, play therapists are ethically responsible when they monitor for and respond to potential impairment as a result of burnout, compassion fatigue, … Continue reading

Franc Hudspeth, Ph.D., LPC-S (AR & MS), NCC, ACS, RPT-S, R.Ph. on Friday, January 27, 2023 - Neuroscience Informed Play Therapy: Models and Applications Registration Is Full. Description Neuroscience research provides ample evidence of neurochemical and brain structural changes caused by mental health issues that result in cognitive, affective, and behavioral dysregulation. Aside from a handful of recent articles, little is known about the actual impact of play therapy on brain structures … Continue reading