Dyadic Play Therapy: Partnering with Parents in the Playroom
This training explores the use of dyadic play therapy to strengthen the parent–child relationship through both foundational “being with” experiences and trauma-informed play. Grounded in child-centered and relationship-based approaches, participants will learn how play therapy supports co-regulation, attachment, emotional expression, and relational repair when caregivers are actively included in sessions. Participants will examine how to move between caregiver consultation (collateral work) and dyadic play sessions to support treatment goals. Emphasis will be placed on the use of core play therapy skills (tracking, reflecting feelings, limit setting, following the child’s lead), therapist roles in facilitating parent participation, and strategies for in-the-moment coaching that maintain the integrity of the child’s play process.
Space is limited, so please register early.
Learning Objectives: After successful completion of the workshop, participants will be able to:
- Describe at least three therapeutic powers of play and their role in dyadic play therapy with caregivers and children.
- Explain how dyadic play therapy supports attachment, co-regulation, and relational safety between caregiver and child
- Outline the structure of a dyadic play therapy session, including the integration of caregiver consultation and in-session parent participation
3 APT Non-Contact CE | Intermediate| Play Therapy Seminal or Historically Significant Theories, Play Therapy Special Topics
About our presenter: Dana Hillman-Sabato is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™ with over 16 years’ experience in children’s behavioral health and specializes in trauma, attachment, and relationship-based interventions. Dana is endorsed by the Connecticut Association for Infant Mental Health (CT-AIMH) as an Infant Mental Health Mentor-Clinical and a certified Perinatal Mental Health Specialist (PMH-C). Dana is trained in EMDR, Child-Parent Psychotherapy, TheraPlay, Circle of Security, Interpersonal Neurobiology (IPNB), Child-Centered Play Therapy, and is a PeaceLove CREATOR, and Life is Good Playmaker. She is deeply passionate about dyadic work and the intentional inclusion of parents and caregivers in treatment, recognizing the caregiver–child relationship as the primary vehicle for healing and change. Grounded in attachment theory, Dana uses play therapy to build meaningful, attuned therapeutic relationships that support both children and their caregivers. Dana is the owner of Begin Within, a play therapy practice in Southbury, CT and serves as the Child First Senior Manager of Clinical Operations at Changent.
NEAPT Members $50; Guests $60
VIRTUAL: This will be a virtual meeting. NEAPT 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.
Please note that this virtual training will not be recorded, and live attendance is required.
Cancellation Policy: All cancellations must be requested in writing and received no later than August 1, 2026. Cancellations are subject to a $15 processing fee. Substitutions (someone else attending) or transfer of registration to another training date may be requested. No refunds or partial refunds after August 1, 2026.
By registering for this training, you are giving NEAPT permission to add your email to our email list and you are giving permission for NEAPT to use any photographs or screenshots that are taken during the event containing your likeness for promotional purposes.
