Our Workshops & Events

Switch to Calendar View

• Play Therapy Through the Ages: A Journey into the History and Theories of Play Therapy

  • When
    6 Nov 2026
  •  
    10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Virtual Meeting

  Register

  Play Therapy Through the Ages: A Journey into the History and Theories of Play Therapy

  Presented by: Erica Wassenaar, LMHC, NCC, RPT-S™

  
  

  Come and learn about the history of play therapy. In this class, you will learn more about the antecedents of the seminal theories that influenced the development of play therapy, how play therapy began, and how it evolved into what it is today. 

  Learning Objectives 
  Participants will be able to:

  1. Articulate a definition of what play therapy is and explain it in a way which others can understand.
  2. Explain the history and development of play therapy.
  3. Identify the basic tenets of the historically significant theories of play therapy (Adlerian, child-centered, cognitive-behavioral, developmental, ecosystemic, filial, Gestalt, Jungian, object-relations, and Theraplay)
  4. Explain what makes each seminal and history theory unique and significant.
  5. Explain the differences between 4 of the historically significant theories of play therapy.
  6. Name a minimum of three historical figures that influenced the field of play therapy

  Level of training: Foundational | Play Therapy History

  This training is approved by APT Approved Provider 97-035 for 3 Non-Contact CE hours.

  About our presenter:  Erica Wassenaar holds a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Wayne State College. She specializes in play therapy, more specifically Adlerian Play Therapy.  She also holds a Level II certification in AutPlay Therapy, which is play therapy specifically for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She is also trained in Traumatic Incident Reduction, Critical Incident Stress Management. EMDR.  She owns a private practice and is a member of the Association for Play Therapy and the Iowa Association for Play Therapy. She is also a member of the NWIA Crisis Intervention Stress Management Team in which she leads debriefing for area first responders and law enforcement.  She is a coordinator for KIDS Hope USA program through her church.  Erica's greatest accomplishment is being a mom to her three kids and a wife.  

  AZAPT Members $50; Guests $60

  To guarantee your spot, payment must be received. If payment is not received at least one week before the training date, your registration will be cancelled.
  

  AZAPT requests that video cameras be on and participants be visible throughout the presentation to facilitate engagement. Participants will be awarded APT Non-Contact CE upon successful completion of a post test. 

  AZAPT is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to Play Therapy. APT Approved Provider 97-035. AZAPT maintains responsibility for the program. Registrants understand and agree that any photograph, video or audio recording of themselves may be used to further promote AZAPT.

  Cancellation Policy: All cancellations must be requested in writing and received no later than October 16, 2026. Cancellations are subject to a $20 processing fee. Substitutions (someone else attending) or transfer of registration to another training date may be requested. No refunds after October 16, 2026.

  By registering for this training, you are giving AZAPT permission to add your email to our email list and permission for AZAPT to use any photographs or screenshots taken during the training for promotional purposes.

  By registering for this training with AZAPT, you consent to have your contact information added to our mailing list. You may unsubscribe at any time.
  

  Show details
• AZAPT Networking Event: Phoenix

  • When
    14 Nov 2026
  •  
    11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    OHSO Brewery, 10810 N Tatum Boulevard, Phoenix, AZ 85028

  Register

  Let’s connect, collaborate, and celebrate play!

  Come spend a relaxed couple of hours with the AZAPT Board and fellow play therapists from the Valley. This is a great opportunity to network, share ideas, and talk about what we love most… PLAY!

  ️Date: Saturday, November 14, 2026
  Time: 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  Location: OHSO Brewery - Paradise Valley 

  Whether you're a local or making the trip from out of town, this is your chance to build connections and enjoy the dog friendly patio, kid-friendly games, and American comfort food that OSHO is known for.

  We can’t wait to see you there!

  Open to AZAPT members and friends!

  Show details
• Two Homes, One Heart: Play Therapy for Children of Divorce

  • When
    15 Jan 2027
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Virtual Meeting

  Register

  Two Homes, One Heart: Play Therapy for Children of Divorce

  Presented by: Emily Burchardt, LCSW, RPT™

  
  

  Divorce can shake a child’s sense of safety, identity, and belonging. Two Homes, One Heart is a play therapy training designed to help clinicians support children navigating family separation. This workshop offers practical, developmentally appropriate interventions to help children process big emotions, reduce self-blame, and adjust to changes in family dynamics. Through experiential learning, participants will explore how play therapy can foster emotional expression, build coping skills, and promote connection in the midst of transition. 

  Learning Objectives 
  Participants will be able to:

  1. Describe the emotional, behavioral, and relational impact of divorce on children and the role of play therapy in supporting adjustment and healing.
  2. Identify at least three play therapy interventions that help children express emotions, challenge self-blame, and process family changes related to divorce.
  3. Demonstrate the application of play therapy techniques designed to strengthen coping skills, foster resilience, and support healthy adaptation to family transitions. 

  Level of training: Intermediate | Play Therapy Special Topics

  This training is approved by APT Approved Provider 97-035 for 3 Non-Contact CE hours.

  About our presenter:  Emily Burchardt, LCSW, RPT™ is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist™ with extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and families. She earned her graduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis and began her clinical career in St. Louis, where she spent nearly a decade working in school settings with students from preschool through high school. This experience gave her a strong foundation in child and adolescent development, school-based mental health, and developmentally responsive clinical practice. Emily later opened a private practice in St. Louis focused on play therapy before returning to Oklahoma City. In addition to her clinical work, Emily is an adjunct faculty member at the Anne and Henry Zarrow School of Social Work at the University of Oklahoma, where she has taught both graduate and undergraduate social work courses since 2021. She is passionate about helping students and clinicians connect theory to practical, engaging interventions they can immediately use with clients. Emily is also the founder of OKC Play, a professional training organization dedicated to providing high-quality, hands-on play therapy education for mental health professionals. Through OKC Play, she creates trainings that emphasize practical interventions, creativity, and the power of play to strengthen connection and promote meaningful therapeutic change 

  AZAPT Members $50; Guests $65

  To guarantee your spot, payment must be received. If payment is not received at least one week before the training date, your registration will be cancelled.
  

  AZAPT requests that video cameras be on and participants be visible throughout the presentation to facilitate engagement. Participants will be awarded APT Non-Contact CE upon successful completion of a post test. 

  AZAPT is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to Play Therapy. APT Approved Provider 97-035. AZAPT maintains responsibility for the program. Registrants understand and agree that any photograph, video or audio recording of themselves may be used to further promote AZAPT.

  Cancellation Policy: All cancellations must be requested in writing and received no later than January 1, 2027. Cancellations are subject to a $20 processing fee. Substitutions (someone else attending) or transfer of registration to another training date may be requested. No refunds after January 1, 2027.

  By registering for this training, you are giving AZAPT permission to add your email to our email list and permission for AZAPT to use any photographs or screenshots taken during the training for promotional purposes.

  By registering for this training with AZAPT, you consent to have your contact information added to our mailing list. You may unsubscribe at any time.
  

  Show details
• 2027 AZAPT Annual Conference

  • Start
    4 Feb 2027
  •  
    7:45 AM
  • End
    5 Feb 2027
  •  
    4:45 PM
  • Location
    SkySong, Building 3, Synergy I&II, 1365 N Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85257

  Register

  2027 AZAPT Annual Conference

  Presented by: Scott Riviere, LPC-S, LMFT, RPT-S™

  SEATING IS LIMITED.

  
  

  Thursday, February 4, 2027

  30 Years of Play! Tantrums, Toys & Techniques

  6 Hours APT Contact CE

  
  

  Play can be hard work!  Whether you’re new to the field or an experienced practitioner, you won’t want to miss this training. This workshop will explore the transformation of Play and Play Therapy over the past 30 years from different theoretical perspectives. The therapeutic value of setting limits and having parents involved in the Play Therapy process will also be discussed. If you work with children and adolescents then you will not want to miss this fun-filled day of learning! 

  After the workshop, participants will be able to...

  1. Review historical evolution of Play and the field of Play Therapy.
  2. List 5 Therapeutic Powers of Play
  3. Identify Primary Theoretical Perspective and 2 Secondary
  4. Identify 2 benefits of Directive and Non-directive Play Therapy Techniques
  5. List 3 therapeutic benefits of Setting Limits in Play Therapy
  6. List 3 benefits of having parents involved in the Play Therapy process.

  All Levels | Play Therapy Skills & Methods, Play Therapy History, and Play Therapy Seminal or Historically Significant Theories  | 6 Live Contact APT CE

  Friday, February 5, 2027

  Bag-O-Tricks! Celebrating Play Therapy with Children and Teens

  6 Hours APT Contact CE

  Are you looking for a workshop to learn innovative techniques and rejuvenate your spirit? Then make time to attend this training! This interactive workshop will focus on advanced and empirically-influenced interventions for school age children and adolescents.   Workshop participants will learn THE primary method for engaging kids in treatment vs adolescents.  A variety of creative interventions will be presented and participants will have the opportunity to interact with the activities to gain mastery and understanding. Topics covered include: anger management, social skill training, grief/trauma resolution, anxiety reduction, and positive behavior management.

  After the workshop, participants will be able to...

  1. Identify key developmental differences between children and adolescents.
  2. Identify the primary therapeutic factor in counseling kids vs. adolescents in Play Therapy
  3. List three benefits of directive and non-directive Play Therapy interventions.
  4. Explain the difference between self-esteem and self-concept.
  5. Identify benefits process-based Play Therapy interventions with adolescents.
  6. List 3 Play Therapy interventions to manage and express emotions.

  All Levels | Play Therapy Skills & Methods, Play Therapy History, and Play Therapy Seminal or Historically Significant Theories  | 6 Live Contact APT CE

  SEATING IS LIMITED. Early Registration through January 1, 1027.

  About the Presenter: Scott Riviere, MS, LPC, LMFT, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™ is a Licensed Professional Counselor and one of the first Registered Play Therapist-Supervisors™ in Louisiana. He is the Director of K.I.D.Z., Inc., Louisiana’s first Play Therapy Institute, where he specializes exclusively in working with children, adolescents, and their families.

  With over 30 years of clinical experience, Mr. Riviere has worked across a variety of mental health settings and holds extensive training in Play Therapy. He has served on numerous committees for the Association for Play Therapy and is a former member of its Board of Directors.

  A published author and creator of several therapeutic tools for mental health professionals, Mr. Riviere is also a frequent guest on media outlets and the producer of the Positive Parenting video series. He is a sought-after speaker at national and state conferences and is approved to supervise clinicians pursuing state licensure or the Registered Play Therapist™ credential.

  Connect with Scott:

  https://www.scottriviere.com/

  https://www.facebook.com/rivierescott#

  https://www.instagram.com/scottriviere

  https://x.com/ScottRiviere
  

  Conference Location: 

  ASU SkySong

  Building 3, 130/135-Synergy I&II

  1365 N Scottsdale Road

  Scottsdale, AZ 85257

  Click here for a map and directions.

  
  

  Click here for nearby hotels.

  Agenda for Both Days

  Check in at the door begins at 7:45 a.m.
  

  07:45 AM – 08:30 AM     Registration & Continental Breakfast

  08:30 AM - 09:00 AM      Announcements, Annual Member Meeting (Thursday)

  09:00 AM – 10:45 AM     Session

  10:45 AM – 11:00 AM     Break

  11:00 AM – 12:30 PM     Session

  12:30 PM – 01:45 PM     Lunch on Your Own

  01:45 PM – 03:15 PM     Session

  03:15 PM – 03:30 PM     Break

  03:30 PM – 04:45 PM     Session

  --

  This training is approved by APT Approved Provider 97-035 for 6 CE live contact hours each day.

  AZAPT is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to Play Therapy.  APT Approved Provider 97-035. AZAPT maintains responsibility for the program. Registrants understand and agree that any photograph, video or audio recording of themselves may be used to further promote AZAPT.

  Cancellation Policy: All cancellations must be requested in writing and received no later than January 20, 2027. Cancellations are subject to a $30 processing fee. Substitutions (someone else attending) or transfer of registration to another training date may be requested. No refunds after January 21, 2027.

  
  

  By registering for this training, you are giving AZAPT permission to add your email to our email list and permission for AZAPT to use any photographs or screenshots taken during the training for promotional purposes.

  
  

  
  

  Show details
• Sand Tray and Play Therapy – The Basics and Beyond

  • When
    5 Mar 2027
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    2345 S. Alma School Road, Suite 110, Mesa, Arizona 85210

  Register

  Sand Tray and Play Therapy – The Basics and Beyond

  Presented by:  Teri V. Krull, LCSW/AZ, LCSW-C/MD, RPT-SÔ

  
  

  This instruction will provide the basics in play therapy and sand tray interventions coupled with intermediate instruction in the provision of hands-on learning experience.  Participants will be encouraged to engage in sand tray role plays that allow the opportunity to be a client, a clinician and supervisor of care.  

  Learning Objectives 
  Participants will be able to:

  1. Describe the differences between sand play and sand tray therapy and their relationship to play therapy.
  2. Identify play therapy skills and sand tray skills/tools needed for conducting sand tray therapy.
  3. Discuss how to create a sand tray in a play therapy influenced format.
     1. Describe and experience building a sand tray
     2. Describe the experience of “witnessing” a sand tray
     3. Describe and experience the “sacred space” in sand tray work
  4. Identify documentation tools/skills for recording a sand tray.

  
  

  Level of training: Foundational | Play Therapy Skills and Methods

  This training is approved by APT Approved Provider 97-035 for 3 Contact CE hours.

  Limited seating available.

  Location: 2345 S. Alma School Road, Suite 110, Mesa, Arizona 85210

  About our presenter: Teri V. Krull, LCSW, RPT-SÔ, licensed in Arizona and Maryland, has a 40-year play therapy private practice; served as the first president of AZAPT; APT Board (Chair 2000); is a local/international presenter; a past board member APT Foundation; recipient of the 2010 AZ/NASW Lifetime Achievement Award and former AZNASW Board Member.

  AZAPT Members $65; Guests $85

  To guarantee your spot, payment must be received. If payment is not received at least one week before the training date, your registration will be cancelled.
  

  AZAPT is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to Play Therapy. APT Approved Provider 97-035. AZAPT maintains responsibility for the program. Registrants understand and agree that any photograph, video or audio recording of themselves may be used to further promote AZAPT.

  Cancellation Policy: All cancellations must be requested in writing and received no later than February 12, 2027. Cancellations are subject to a $20 processing fee. Substitutions (someone else attending) or transfer of registration to another training date may be requested. No refunds after February 12, 2027.

  
  

  By registering for this training, you are giving AZAPT permission to add your email to our email list and permission for AZAPT to use any photographs or screenshots taken during the training for promotional purposes. 

  By registering for this training with AZAPT, you consent to have your contact information added to our mailing list. You may unsubscribe at any time.

  Show details