Child Development and the Play Therapist’s Role

This training explores the critical stages of child development and how they influence therapeutic engagement. Understand the therapist’s role in creating a developmentally appropriate and responsive play therapy environment. We’ll connect theory to practice with real-world applications.

Date: Friday, August 22, 2025

Time: 9:00am- 12:00pm 

Format: In-person 

Facility name and address: Alexander JFS, 4131 S Braeswood Blvd, Houston, TX 77025 

APT CE Hours: 3 contact hours – Skills and Methods 

Event Schedule: 8:45am- Check-in, 9:00am-12:00pm- Training, 12:00pm- Check-out 

Program Presenter:  

• Emily Van Laan, LCSW-S, RPT-S™
• Katie Harlan, LCSW-S, RPT™

Description: This training is designed to help participants understand the growth and development of children. Participants will dive into the nuances of determining when play therapy is appropriate for a child by learning strategies to assess typical and atypical behaviors. Participants will also learn appropriate play therapy interventions based on a child’s age and stage of development.  

Objectives:  

• Increase knowledge of typical and atypical child development
• Identify when play therapy is an appropriate intervention
• Examine the ethical and cultural considerations play therapists must integrate when working with children at different developmental stages.
• Identify which models of play therapy are appropriate based on a child’s age and cognitive development