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 appropriate
interventions. Clinicians experience a parallel process becoming entangled with their child
clients who are in the middle of a high conflict divorce which pose unique challenges clinically
and ethically. Many times Clinicians are placed in the crossfire between parents, courts and
children making it difficult to manage alliances, navigate the legal processes, and maintain
neutrality.

This full-day interactive workshop is designed to deepen play therapists, counselors, social
workers, and mental health professionals working with children impacted by contentious custody
battles which often involve maltreatment allegations, and coercive control dynamics.

Deepen your understanding of legal and ethical responsibilities while equipping yourself with
practical play therapy interventions which are effective and developmentally appropriate. An
integrative approach that will work through a combination of experiential learning, case studies, and
evidence-based interventions. Participants will gain hands-on strategies for creating therapeutic
safety, navigating alliance issues, setting appropriate boundaries with parents, and documenting
play therapy work for legal settings. Participants will leave with language for explaining their role
to parents, strategies for responding to subpoenas or attorney requests, and a deeper
understanding of the intersection between play therapy, attachment disruption, and family
systems under stress. documenting in a legally sound manner, and setting boundaries with
high-conflict parents.

This workshop will help clinicians reduce risk, increase competence in court-involved cases, and
offer grounded, ethical therapeutic services to children experiencing the emotional toll of
parental conflict.

Learning Objectives

Identify their scope of practice and boundaries to courts, attorneys and parents.
Discuss the impact of parental separation and divorce on children
Describe the continuum of parental separation in play therapy from mild estrangement to alienation.
Discuss ways to maintain neutrality, manage triangulation and avoid being in the middle of conflict
Demonstrate at least 3 play therapy interventions to help children process conflict, anxiety and divided loyalty.
Identify 3 ethical pitfalls play therapists face in high conflict cases.

Presenter

Danyale Weems, LCSW, RPT-S™

Danyale Weems is the founder of Waves Counseling in Carrollton, Georgia, where she has dedicated over 17 years to helping children, teens, families, and adults navigate life’s transitions. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Central Florida (2001) and her Master’s in Social Work from Florida State University (2008). A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Danyale serves as a Supervisor for Social Workers and Play Therapists in training and is an EMDR Approved Consultant, guiding clinicians in trauma-informed and experiential approaches to healing.

Danyale is no stranger to the Alabama Association for Play Therapy, having presented multiple breakout sessions over the years. Her passion for helping families through change—especially in the context of divorce and relational transitions—shines through her engaging and practical teaching style. She brings a wealth of experience, insight, and heart to every training she leads.

Schedule

Registration	8:00-8:30
Morning Session Part I	8:30-10:00
Morning Break	10:00-10:15
Morning Session Part II	10:15-12:00
Lunch On Your Own	12:00-1:00
Afternoon Session Part I	1:00-2:30
Afternoon Break	2:30-2:45
Afternoon Session II	2:45-4:00

All times are CST

Continuing Education Credit

Six Contact Hours will be awarded for a full day of attendance.

Counselors: Alabama Association for Play Therapy (AAPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6211. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are identified. Alabama Association for Play Therapy is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Marriage and Family Therapists: The Alabama Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy (ABEMFT) automatically approves NBCC-approved courses for CE credit.

Play Therapists: AAPT is approved by the Association for Play Therapy (APT) to offer continuing education specific to play therapy. APT Approved Provider No. 98-045.

Social Workers: AAPT is approved by the Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners (ASBSWE) to offer continuing education to social workers. ASBSWE Provider No. 0284.

Registration Fees

REGISTRATION FEES	Early Bird Registration Now until December 19	Registration December 20-January 21	On-Site Registration January 22-23
AAPT/APT Member	$150	$170	$190
Non-Member	$170	$190	$210
Full-Time Student _{(with proof of enrollment)}	$135	$150	$165

Group Discount

A discount of $10.00 per registrant for groups of 3 or more registering together. Email the Treasurer (treasurer@alabamaplaytherapy.org) to complete a Group Registration. Credit Cards are accepted if registering online. No purchase orders accepted.

Scholarships

Scholarships to attend the AAPT workshop will be offered to full-time students who volunteer to be available Thursday evening, January 22nd, and all day Friday, January 23rd, to assist with the conference. Volunteer duties may involve working registration, assisting with setup before the event, cleaning up after the event, selling books for the presenter, and preparing materials for the workshop. Students interested in volunteering for the event should contact Hannah Finley at studentrep@alabamaplaytherapy.org and submit proof of enrollment in a counseling or related program (SW, MFT, etc).

Location

Lifeline Children’s Services

200 Missionary Ridge Birmingham, AL 35242

Special Needs

Please contact CE & Registration at ceandregistration@alabamaplaytherapy.org

Cancellations

Registrants canceling up to 48 hours before a workshop will receive a tuition refund less a $20 administrative fee (per day). All requests must be made in writing or by email. No refunds will be issued for any reason after January 21, 2026. In the unlikely event the workshop cannot be held, registrants will receive complimentary admission to a rescheduled workshop or a full value voucher, good for one year, for a future workshop.