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, including vulnerable ones, as well as provide assessments and interventions that are culturally sensitive and aware of the need for diversity.

Learning Objectives

1. Describe 3 risk factors to identify suicidal behavior in youth in play settings.
2. Describe 3 warning signs to identify suicidal behavior in youth & adults in play settings.
3. List 1 or more screening assessment tools for youth coping with suicidal thoughts/ideation and/or suicidal behaviors that can be integrated into play.
4. List 2 or more play based prevention strategies for youth coping with suicidal thoughts/ideation and/or suicidal behaviors.
5. Examine and apply at least 3 play-based strategies for working with youth with suicidal ideation and/or suicidal behaviors.
6. Identify at least 5 myths about the assessment and treatment of suicidality in youth.

Presenters

Mary Ruth Cross, LMFT, NCC, RPT-S

Mary Ruth Cross, a compassionate and empathetic Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, has dedicated over 30 years to the mental health field. As the Owner and CEO of Treehouse Family Counseling Services in San Ramon, CA, she and her staff provide counseling to children and families, with a special focus on play therapy. Mary Ruth’s treatment team model, which supports the whole family, is a testament to her understanding of the importance of a holistic approach to healing. The practice harnesses the healing power of play to bring about healing for children, teens, couples, adults, and families, reflecting Mary Ruth’s deep empathy and care for her clients.

 Mary Ruth is a California State University East Bay graduate and has been on faculty at John F. Kennedy University and the University of Phoenix, teaching in the counselor education programs.  Mary Ruth is a Registered Play Therapist, Supervisor™, and a sought-after workshop leader in the field of play therapy, suicide, grief and loss, high conflict families and trauma as well as other related mental health issues.   Mary Ruth is a member in good standing with the Association for Play Therapy, the California Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, National Board-Certified Counselors, American Psychological Association and the Association for Death Education and Counseling.  Mary Ruth co-facilitates a grief support group in Livermore, CA.  She is also co-author of a children’s book on trauma called “Snug and Rug and the ‘No Good Very Bad Thing’: A Story of Coping, Calming & Courage for Children” and is co-author and co-editor of the book ASSESSING AND TREATING SUICIDAL THINKING AND BEHAVIORS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS: A Play Therapy Guide for Mental Health Practitioners.

Leslie Baker, LMFT, NCC, RPT-S™

Leslie Baker is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, National Board-Certified Counselor, Gottmann Certified Therapist, and a Registered Play Therapist – Supervisor™. She is the CEO and Owner of Therapy2Thrive® Ruby Hill Marriage and Family Counseling Center. Leslie has over 30 years of practical experience as a clinician and supervisor. She has presented workshops on the topic of suicide for 11+ years. Her background includes more than 13 years as Adjunct Faculty at the University of Phoenix in the College of Social Sciences, Master of Counseling program, and nine years as the Lead Area Chair for the Master’s in Counseling Program. For an additional ten years, she has been an Adjunct Faculty and Associate Professor for John F. Kennedy University in Campbell, CA, and an Adjunct Professor for Antioch University in Santa Barbara, CA. Leslie is an active member of the California Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (CAMFT), East Bay Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (EBCAMFT), Association for Play Therapy (APT), and the California Association for Play Therapy (CALAPT) and World Association of Professional Sandtray (WAPT) and  Mental Health Virtual Reality (MHVR).

Leslie served on the Committee for Technology as a clinical member of the San Francisco Chapter of the CALAPT. Recently, Leslie has presented to local, national, and international groups focusing on using play therapy and integrating expressive play-based therapies for trauma treatment, treatment of suicide, and incorporating technology into treating youth. A Certified Suicide Bereavement-trained Clinician since 2017, Leslie has worked with suicide loss survivors, treating those who cope with suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Leslie is the author of a children’s book Healing Feelings a story of coping with a grown-up mental illness and co-author of a children’s book Snug and Rug and the ‘No Good Very Bad Thing to assist youth in coping, calming and courage. She is also a contributing author to two book chapters on advancing technology use in play therapy. Leslie is the co-editor and co-author of Assessing and Treating Suicidal Children and Adolescents: A Play Therapy Guide for Mental Health Professionals and School-Based Settings published by Taylor and Francis.

Schedule

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

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 20	Registration December 21-January 22	On-Site Registration January 22-24
AAPT/APT Member	$140	$160	$180
Non-Member	$160	$180	$200
Full-Time Student (with proof of enrollment)	$125	$140	$155

Register HERE: https://forms.gle/wMc6zuRDdhhuRKda9

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 23rd, and all day Friday, January 24th, 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 Dorian Bayles 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 22, 2025.  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.

Membership Information

To join the Association for Play Therapy, click here.

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