Weaving Encouragement: Threads of Adlerian Play Therapy with the Therapeutic Powers of Play

This intermediate-level training brings Adlerian Play Therapy (AdPT) and the Therapeutic Powers of Play (TPoP) to life as a powerful, encouraging, developmentally appropriate, and culturally responsive approach to treatment. Participants will explore foundational concepts and experience how a phased approach to observation, an initial lifestyle assessment, insight, and re-education can honor each child’s unique story and support purposeful intervention. Through engaging experiential activities, case examples across different target populations, and reflective learning, participants will learn to weave Adlerian principles with the therapeutic powers of play into practical, meaningful strategies for case conceptualization and clinical work. Special emphasis will be placed on encouragement as the thread that strengthens relationships and engages collaboration with parents, caregivers, and school personnel. Participants will leave inspired with a fresh Adlerian lens for seeing children differently and a set of clinical threads they can continue weaving into their practice.

Space is limited, so please register early.

Learning Objectives: After successful completion of the workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Describe 3 foundational Adlerian principles used in Adlerian play therapy. (AdPT)
2. Identify the four main categories of the Therapeutic Powers of Play (TPoP).
3. Describe where to find the evidence base and current research relevant to Adlerian play therapy (AdPT) and the limitations of the research.
4. Describe the differences between encouragement and praise and be able to provide one example of encouragement language.
5. Describe the 4 phases of Adlerian play therapy (AdPT) and their therapeutic purposes.
6. List the Crucial Cs (Courage, Connect, Count, and Capable) and describe how they can be applied across the different phases of Adlerian practice.
7. List the personality priorities (Comfort, Pleasing, Control, and Superiority) and describe how the personality priorities can be used in play therapy consultation.
8. Demonstrate 5 relationship-building facilitative skills of the therapist used in the first stage of Adlerian play therapy (AdPT) and match these with specific therapeutic powers of play.
9. Demonstrate limit setting in the Adlerian play therapy (AdPT) approach.
10. Describe how the intersection of the play therapist, the child, and the child’s family all contribute to cultural and systemic lifestyle assessment and to case conceptualization.
11. Demonstrate two interventions for exploring lifestyle in the 2nd phase of Adlerian play therapy (AdPT) and match these with specific therapeutic powers of play.
12. Identify two interventions useful in stage three of Adlerian play therapy (AdPT) and match these with specific therapeutic powers of play.
13. Describe two therapeutic metaphorical storytelling interventions applicable for phase three and match this with specific therapeutic powers of play.
14. Demonstrate two interventions in phase four (re-education/reorientation) and match these with specific therapeutic powers of play.
15. Identify two benefits of conducting parent/caregiver/school personnel consultation in Adlerian play therapy.
16. Identify local, regional, and national resources for play therapy training and knowledge.
17. Describe 2 limitations of the workshop content and risks associated with using the workshop material.

12 APT Contact CE | Intermediate| Play Therapy Seminal or Historically Significant Theories, Play Therapy Skills and Methods

Tentative Schedule

09:00AM - 12:00PM - Training & 15 Minute Break

12:00PM - 01:00PM - Break (Lunch on your own)

01:00PM - 04:30PM - Training & 15 Minute Break

Location

University of Maine in Orono, School of Social Work, 4th Floor, Dunn Hall, 5724 Dunn Hall, Orono, ME 04469

About our presenters: Mary Anne Peabody, Ed.D., LCSW, RPT-S™ is a professor at the University of Southern Maine, where she teaches play therapy and presents internationally. She has held leadership roles with APT, received the 2019 Outstanding Service Award, chairs the Foundation Board, and serves on the editorial advisory board for the International Journal of Play Therapy.

This is a complimentary training. There is no fee for NEAPT members and guests.

NEAPT is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to Play Therapy. APT Approved Provider 02-123. NEAPT maintains responsibility for the program. 

Cancellation Policy: All cancellations must be requested in writing and received no later than September 4, 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.