Arizona Association for Play Therapy upcoming events

Bibliotherapy: A Play-Based Approach (18 Sep 2026)

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 16:00:00 GMT

Bibliotherapy: A Play-Based Approach

Presented by: Juliet Fortino, LPC, RPT-S™

Play therapy offers developmentally responsive ways for children to communicate, process experiences, and build new coping skills. Within this approach, bibliotherapy can become a powerful play-based tool that helps children explore feelings, make meaning of difficult experiences, and practice problem solving through stories, discussion, and expressive activities. This workshop will focus on how books can be intentionally integrated into the play therapy process to support self-expression, emotional regulation, and therapeutic change. Participants will explore play therapy applications of bibliotherapy across a variety of topics and will be introduced to book-based interventions that can be adapted to a child’s age, needs, and clinical history.

Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:

Describe the rationale for using bibliotherapy within play therapy.
Identify developmentally appropriate books that support therapeutic goals in play therapy.
List books and themes relevant to common clinical concerns, including trauma, self-esteem, and foster care.
Demonstrate at least one play therapy intervention that can be paired with selected children’s books.

Level of training: Intermediate | Play Therapy Skills and Methods

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

Limited seating available.

Location: Casa de los Ninos, 1120 N 5th Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85705. We will meet in the Maxwell B conference room.

About our presenter: Juliet Fortino, MC, LPC, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™ works with Children and Families involved with Department of Child Safety and the various child mental health agencies in the Tucson community in a private practice setting. She has over 25 years experience working with child trauma, abuse, attachment, and play therapy. She currently uses play therapy in individual and family therapy to help children heal from their previous traumas. She has extensive experience working with children of all ages, including the 0-5 age group. She speaks locally and nationally on a variety of play therapy topics.

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 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 September 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 September 1, 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.

Confidence Corner: Helping Kids Raise their Self-Esteem Through Play Therapy (5 Oct 2026)

Mon, 05 Oct 2026 20:00:00 GMT

Confidence Corner: Helping Kids Raise their Self-Esteem Through Play Therapy

Presented by: Laura Hutchison, PsyD, LP, RPT-S™

Participants will learn different activities to help clients increase their self-esteem through the power of play therapy. A majority of the workshop will be spent learning about different hands-on and virtual play therapy activities through demonstration and active participation. We will also discuss what populations and diagnoses the activities work best.

Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:

Demonstrate how to conduct at least 5 therapeutic activities to use in play therapy that help raise clients' self-esteem.
Explain the importance of helping clients raise their self-esteem through play therapy.
Identify the strengths and weaknesses at least 5 therapeutic activities to use in play therapy that help raise clients' self-esteem/

Level of training: Intermediate | Play Therapy Skills and Methods

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

About our presenter: Laura Hutchison is a licensed psychologist, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™, and founder of the Michigan Play Therapy Training Academy. She has more than 20 years of experience specializing in children and play therapy. Dr. Hutchison is an internationally recognized presenter who is passionate about equipping clinicians with practical, evidence-based tools they can immediately apply in their work with children and families.

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.

Cancellation Policy: All cancellations must be requested in writing and received no later than September 18, 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 September 18, 2026.

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.

AZAPT Networking Event: Flagstaff (10 Oct 2026)

Sat, 10 Oct 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Let's connect, collaborate and celebrate play!

Come out to spend time with AZAPT board members and other therapists from Northern Arizona and the Valley to network and chat about what we love most….PLAY!

Join us at the charming Late for the Train coffee roastery. The cafe is located in the heart of Flagstaff, in the historic downtown district across from Heritage Square.

Not from Northern Arizona? Maybe it’s time for a road trip to meet some of your Northern Arizona colleagues and check out all that Flagstaff has to offer.

Open to AZAPT members and friends!

Play Therapy Through the Ages: A Journey into the History and Theories of Play Therapy (6 Nov 2026)

Fri, 06 Nov 2026 17:00:00 GMT

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:

Articulate a definition of what play therapy is and explain it in a way which others can understand.
Explain the history and development of play therapy.
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)
Explain what makes each seminal and history theory unique and significant.
Explain the differences between 4 of the historically significant theories of play therapy.
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.

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

AZAPT Networking Event: Phoenix (14 Nov 2026)

Sat, 14 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

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!

2027 AZAPT Annual Conference (4 Feb 2027)

Thu, 04 Feb 2027 14:45:00 GMT

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...

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

Identify key developmental differences between children and adolescents.
Identify the primary therapeutic factor in counseling kids vs. adolescents in Play Therapy
List three benefits of directive and non-directive Play Therapy interventions.
Explain the difference between self-esteem and self-concept.
Identify benefits process-based Play Therapy interventions with adolescents.
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.

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.

Arizona Association for Play Therapy upcoming events

Bibliotherapy: A Play-Based Approach (18 Sep 2026)

Learning Objectives Participants will be able to:

Confidence Corner: Helping Kids Raise their Self-Esteem Through Play Therapy (5 Oct 2026)

Learning Objectives Participants will be able to:

AZAPT Networking Event: Flagstaff (10 Oct 2026)

Play Therapy Through the Ages: A Journey into the History and Theories of Play Therapy (6 Nov 2026)

Learning Objectives Participants will be able to:

AZAPT Networking Event: Phoenix (14 Nov 2026)

2027 AZAPT Annual Conference (4 Feb 2027)

2027 AZAPT Annual Conference

Agenda for Both Days

Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:

Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to:

Learning Objectives
Participants will be able to: