Foundations of Safety: Understanding Infant Mental Health Through the Lens of Infant Play Therapy with an Introduction to FirstPlay®
Presented by: Janet A. Courtney, PhD, RPT-S™
The field of infant mental health is expanding rapidly, and an increasing number of play therapists are seeking to deepen their knowledge and skills to work effectively with infants and very young children. In this training, Dr. Janet Courtney will provide an overview of infant mental health as it applies within the context of play therapy. A “working definition” of Infant Play Therapy will be explored, offering clarity for those entering this emerging area of practice. Grounded in current neuroscience, the session will introduce participants to FirstPlay® Infant Play Therapy—an attachment-based parent-infant, nurturing touch model designed to support early attachment, nurturing touch, co-regulation, and relational connection. Participants will have the opportunity to practice four key parent-infant attunement skills through guided experiential activities.
Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:
- define the concept of infant mental health and identify at least two (2) ways it applies within the context of play therapy for infants and very young children.
- state a working definition of Infant Play Therapy including two (2) key differences between Infant Play Therapy and traditional play therapy with older children.
- describe the theoretical foundations and identify at least three (3) core components of FirstPlay® Infant Play Therapy, including its integration of attachment theory, nurturing touch, and neuroscience.
- demonstrate four (4) core parent-infant attunement skills through guided experiential practice designed to enhance co-regulation and relational connection.
Level of training: Intermediate | Play Therapy Seminal or Historically Significant Theories, Play Therapy Skills and Methods, Play Therapy and Cultural Diversity
This training is approved by APT Approved Provider 97-035 for 3 Non-Contact CE hours.
About our presenter: Janet A. Courtney, PhD, RPT-S™ is the Founder of FirstPlay Therapy®, and past Chair of the APT Ethics and Practice Committee, and former President of FAPT. Dr. Courtney is the author of the books, “Infant Play Therapy;” “Healing Child and Family Trauma through Expressive and Play Therapies;” “Nature-based Play & Expressive Therapies;” and “Touch in Child Counseling and Play Therapy.”
AZAPT Members $50; Guests $60
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 April 1, 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 April 1, 2026.
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