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Join me in conversation about with Bridger Falkenstien and Caleb Boston as we chat about the Polyvagal Theory.  I met these guy through the Notice That podcast at Beyond Healing. I first met Bridger, then quickly met Caleb (his “twin flame”).  They are super passionate about anything and everything related to the Polyvagal Theory. They have such great energy together and are SUPER KNOWLEDGEABLE with it comes to the nervous system and about a gazillion other things.    To learn more, visit: https://theevidencebasedtherapist.com https://emdr-podcast.com https://connectbeyondhealing.com/our-team/486-2/    Join us in our facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/playtherapycommunity Join our EMDR Learning Community at https://emdr-learning.com/share/TzabloXTllAx8cpw?utm_source=manual  Join the Beyond Healing Community at https://beyondhealingcommunity.com/share/fHxpN42T3SaHAAh9?utm_source=manual 

Join me in conversation with Ann Beckley-Forest as we discuss what it’s like to be a beginner in the world of Play Therapy.  The path from being a beginner in the field to the felt sense of competence and confidence can be rather challenging for some. There’s so much to learn!  Play Therapy is a robust approach to child therapy and it’s at the core of Ann’s work. Ann is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice in the Buffalo area, and has focused on interventions with children and adolescents throughout her career. She is an author, registered play therapy supervisor and approved provider of play therapy education, as well as an EMDR trainer and consultant. Her specialties include intervention with very young children, as well as problems of attachment and work with adolescent and adult survivors of trauma.   To Learn more from Ann, check out her trainings at https://www.annbeckleyforest.com/current-trainings   More resources can be found at: Play Therapy Community www.playtherapycommunity.com  Join us in our facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/playtherapycommunity Join our EMDR Learning Community at https://emdr-learning.com/share/TzabloXTllAx8cpw?utm_source=manual  Join the Beyond Healing Community at https://beyondhealingcommunity.com/share/fHxpN42T3SaHAAh9?utm_source=manual  Schedule with Jackie https://playtherapycommunity.as.me/schedule.php

Join me in conversation with Dr. Becki Welsh.  Becki is a dear friend of mine that I met through one of my 8 Phases of EMDR with Children and Adolescents trainings.  We’ve been connected ever since.  Her knowledge and skillset when it comes to helping children and families is immeasurable.  In this episode of the podcast, she shares with us all about her 316 Parenting model.  It’s fascinating!  One of the best, if not THE BEST, parent supports that I’ve ever learned about!     To learn more, visit: https://www.316counselingcenter.org/about-1 http://www.playtherapycommunity.com https://playtherapycommunity.com/training/    Join us in our facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/playtherapycommunity Join our EMDR Learning Community at https://emdr-learning.com/share/TzabloXTllAx8cpw?utm_source=manual  Join the Beyond Healing Community at https://beyondhealingcommunity.com/share/fHxpN42T3SaHAAh9?utm_source=manual

Join me in conversation with the amazing Masha Bennett.  She's doing some incredibly creative healing work in the UK with Sand and Sound.     Masha will present a 3 hour online workshop for the World Association of Sand Therapy Professionals, exploring aspects of Sound in Sand Therapy, including the symbolism of sound and its potential applications as a healing agent in the sandtray. This is an experiential workshop and you will be invited to create your own sandtray, explore its sounds (as well as its silence), and there will be an opportunity to create your own simple healing song. Masha's website is www.sandsoundcentre.co.uk and the link for bookings is https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sounds-of-sand-therapy-tickets-361188884677  https://worldsandtherapy.com www.playtherapycommunity.com  

Join me in conversation with Bridger from Beyond Healing.  He teaches us about the importance of case conceptualization and how it can really support the work we do to support our clients.  Bridger has such a community mindset in every way.  He operates from a Polyvagal Informed perspective and it shows on his emphasis on SAFETY AND CONNECTION.  Beyond Healing has a training coming up in Gainsville Florida that I plan on attending.  I'm so super excited.  Here are some links to learn more:   Our website is connectbeyondhealing.com   The registration for the training in July that you will be attending is available here: https://www.learnbeyondhealing.org/browse/beyond-healing-institute/bhi-courses/courses/72122---72322-somatic-integration-and-processing-i-trn-202---sec-002   NOTE FROM BRIDGER after our recording: "Please note that there are payment plans associated with every training and project we sell! No barriers ever!" Oh my goodness, I love their generosity.  They are such giving humans!   The link for people to come to the Beyond Healing Community is available here: https://beyondhealingcommunity.com/share/-GMIjSIZGnCGUSFB?utm_source=manual   www.playtherapycommunity.com https://emdartnscience.com  

Join me in conversation with Joye Newman, a co-author of the In-Sync Child book.  She's a delightful, brilliant human that teaches us how to help children through movement.  She describes the importance of movement for precious SAFETY and CONNECTION. Learn more: https://in-sync-child.com www.playtherapycommunity.com 

Join me in conversation with Robyn Gobbel as she shares with us ways to support our clients when it comes to trauma.  She has lots of resources for us as clinicians and for the parents and families that we work with.  I love her energy, skill, and passion when it comes to helping traumatized children and their families.   To learn more about Robyn and to find her resources, visit: https://robyngobbel.com/about/#toggle-id-2   This episode is sponsored by the World Association for Sand Therapy Professionals.  Visit: https://worldsandtherapy.com/about-us/

Join me in conversation with Fiona Hill as we describe a recent clinician game night together.  We specifically discuss how we love Dr.: Jessica Stone's work with Digital Play Therapy and how it can help.   https://jessicastonephd.com https://playtherapycommunity.com

Join me in conversation with Jen Taylor, Lisa Dion and Clair Mellenthin as we discusss their Anchoring in the Storm event in California to help manage stress and navigate the autonomic nervous system.

In this episode, Jocelyn Fitzgerald, a Board-Certified Art Therapist, shares with us simple and practical ways to integrate Art Therapy techniques into our work with kids!  I found out about her on ETSY through a search.  I was (and still am!!) in awe of her beautiful, artsy therapy tools.  I ordered the window of tolerance.  Be sure to check out her website https://www.jocelynfitzgerald.com and her book "Colorful Place: a Mindful Story and Art for Kids: on Amazon. Hop in our Play Therapy Community Facebook group to share some of your ideas on how to bring Art into your child therapy space!   Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzm_jOqzM_L6oTMRe5FOa1A Online Play Therapy Demo Videos with Jackie Flynn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OVmQY94GEU&t=466s  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlCKzB31z0Y&t=3089s Play Therapy Members Community www.playtherapycommunity.com Jackie Flynn's Consultation and Training www.jackieflynnconsulting.com Jackie Flynn's Private Practice www.counselinginbrevard.com Play Therapy Community Trainings https://playtherapycommunity.teachable.com Play Therapy Community Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/playtherapycommunity/?multi_permalinks=4288188067877393 EMDR with Kids Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/emdrtherapywithkids 2nd Annual Innovative Child Therapy Symposium https://playtherapycommunity.teachable.com/courses/enrolled/1256300 EMDR Consultation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lKvN5Fzywk Scheduling with Jackie https://playtherapycommunity.as.me/schedule.php?notembedded=1

This episode was sparked by the release of the book EMDR with Children in the Play Therapy Room by Ann Beckley-Forest and Annie Monaco.  They are responsible for educating child therapists all over the world on how to deliver EMDR therapy to children and teens through the integration of Play Therapy.  In this episode, prepare to be inspired by a conversation with Ann and Annie, as well as Lisa Dion, the creator of Synergetic Play Therapy.  Their passion for helping children heal from trauma through Play Therapy and EMDR is unbelievably beautiful.  Visit more information on their work and training information, be sure to visit www.synergeticplaytherapy.com and https://www.anniemonaco.com/trainings/emdr-trainings

In this episode, Marshall Lyles shares his passion for helping his clients heal from trauma through Expressive Arts.  When I reached out to Marshall to invite him on the podcast, I requested a conversation focusing on his use of poetry with his clients.  In this episode, you’ll notice that we cover much more than poetry.  Marshall is highly trained and well versed in so many healing traumas and approaches that it was difficult to limit our conversation.  I’m excited for you to experience our conversation about how he used expressive arts to heal trauma.  He is an EMDRIA approved consultant and a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, among many other credentials that speak to his capacity to treat trauma.  Be sure to visit www.marshalllyles.com www.therapistsworkshop.com to learn more about him and to see his beautiful expressive arts studio.

In this episode of Play Therapy Community podcast, Dr. Jessica Stone shares all about the healing power of Virtual Sandtray Therapy.  She is the brilliant creator of the Virtual Sandtray App used by an increasing number of clinicians around the globe. Development of the Virtual Sandtray app intentionally included the main tenets of Sandtray Therapy to preserve its profound therapeutic healing power.  You can find more about Dr. Stone, the Virtual Sandtray Therapy application, and her professional trainings at: www.jessicastonephd.com www.sandtrayplay.com https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Play-Therapy-Jessica-Stone/dp/0367001926/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8 https://apps.apple.com/us/app/virtual-sandtray/id916460128 https://www.facebook.com/VirtualSandtray https://www.facebook.com/digitalplaytherapy/

In this episode, Clair Mellenthin guides us through the important pieces of parent consultation.  She highlights the importance of meeting parents with compassion and connection through support.  Through this approach, client’s tend to meet their treatment goals in a more thorough, faster way.  Clair offers support and coaching to parents and clinicians.  You can find more of what she has to offer at these links to her website, https://clairmellenthin.com/online-courses-for-professional/#professional and https://clairmellenthin.com/online-learning-for-parents/ 

In this Parent Play Therapy Consultation episode, you will learn about: ...what to cover in an initial phone call with parents/caregivers of potential child clients.  ...how to describe the process and benefits of Play Therapy to parents/caregivers. ...how to structure your parent consultation to best fit your therapeutic approach. ...how to nurture a trusting, secure relationship with parents and caregivers. ...how to communicate with parents/caregivers throughout the process without breaching your child clients' limited confidentiality. ...how to communicate with parents/caregivers, and other helpers, within ethical and legal parameters when providing consultation. ...where to find effective parenting strategies and quality resources to share with parents/caregivers.

In this Episode, Jackie Flynn, EMDRIA approved consultant and a registered play therapist talks about EMDR therapy with kids. EMDR Therapy has 8 phases: 1. History Talking, 2. Preparation, 3. Assessment, 4. Desensitization, 5. Reprocessing, 6. Body Scan, 7. Closure, 8. Reevaluation.   Since children are not miniature adults, it's important to work with children in developmentally appropriate ways. Play Therapy techniques can be integrated into all 8 of the phases to support children's developing brains. Be sure to check out www.jackieflynnconsulting.com if you are an EMDR trained therapist in search of advanced training to teach you how to adapt your work to fit the needs of your child and teen clients.  

In this episode, Jamie shares with us some basic information about Sandtray Therapy.   She discusses the importance of formalized training and warns against offering sandtray therapy to your clients if you have not received adequate training. Sandtray is a powerful tool that can open up and heal some painful issues that require specialized training to ensure client emotional safety.   Jamie Lynn Langley, LCSW, RPT-S has been a practicing child, family and play therapist in Tennessee for almost 30 years. For most of that time she worked in community mental health before going into private practice in late 2016. Jamie is also an adjunct professor for two universities in Tennessee (Middle TN State University and Lipscomb University). She co-founded and serves as the President of the Tennessee branch of the Association for Play Therapy and is a charter member of the Children & Nature Network founded by RIchard Louv. Jamie specializes in working with children and their families who have undergone trauma, loss, divorce, disruption and other adverse conditions and brings in nature as part of healing practice whenever possible. A former Cub Scout leader for 15 years, she especially enjoys her personal and family time in nature, especially at the beach and the breathtaking Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. Jamie Lynn Langley, LCSW, RPT-S Licensed Clinical Social Worker Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor President, TN Association for Play Therapy Adjunct Faculty, MTSU Dept. of Social Work and Lipscomb University Dept. of Psychology, Counseling and Family Science Board Member, World Assoc of Sand Therapy Professionals

In this episode, Sarah Wayland shares with us a bit about the developing brain and the differing aspects of those with an autism spectrum disorder.   She shares personal stories about the importance of the child relationship and how fluctuations in the parents’ emotional regulation can effect the child.   Sarah discusses how children with an autism spectrum disorder often struggle with social situations and how we can support them through parent consultation and working directly with the child themselves. Sarah Wayland is a certified RDI™ Consultant, parent coach, and Special Needs Care Navigator at the company she founded, Guiding Exceptional Parents. She helps parents of children with ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, and other brain-based differences learn how to confidently and effectively help their children at home, at school, and in the community. As an RDI™ consultant, Dr. Wayland works with parents of kids who have trouble connecting with others to show them how to teach their children the essential skills that make relationships work. By learning about everyone in the family and collaborating with them, she helps families develop customized strategies that work. Dr. Wayland got her B.A. from Rice University, her Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from Brandeis University, and had two postdoctoral fellowships - one at Northeastern University and another at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She has worked as a software designer, and as a researcher, but her most valuable training came from parenting her two boys, both exceptional. You can learn more at www.guidingexceptionalparents.com.

In this episode, Althea Simpson shares with us about how she uses food to support her clients in session when necessary.   She explains that some clients may have experienced the trauma of neglect and being without food in their past which can feel extremely dysregulating to clients.   When we use food in session, we help our clients to feel nurtured and cared about.  Althea Simpson is the founder of Brighter Day Therapeutic Solutions and Unicorn Life Play Therapy Training. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor. Additionally, Althea has a B.S. in Business Management; MBA in Marketing: and MSW in Organizational Leadership. Althea’s passion for helping individuals go from “Hurt to Healed” aided in her decision to return to George Mason University to complete requirements to become a Clinical Social Worker and specialize in trauma recovery. Althea’s experience in the fields of business and mental health spans 20 years. Althea is pursuing her PhD in Business Psychology Consulting at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Althea Simpson, LCSW, LICSW, CCTP, SAP, CAMS-II, RPT-S, CSOTP Resident Brighter Day Therapeutic Solutions, PLLC Website: www.brighter-day.net Symposium Website: www.blackplaytherapy.com

In this episode, Samantha Willis shares with us about the painful experiences that our LGBTQ youth often go through alone.  She stressed the importance of acceptance and compassion.   She mentions the benefits of displaying symbols, such as a rainbow, that communicate a message that she is a safe person to authentically share with.   She recommends that therapists connect with other therapists in their area to maximize benefits for clients in search of a therapist that can support their unique needs.  Samantha earned a Master’s of Education in Counseling and Guidance with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health from the University of Montevallo. She also earned Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology and Social Work with a Minor in Philosophy and Religion from the University of Montevallo. Samantha is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Alabama, a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), and Registered Play Therapist. Samantha has a certification in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). She utilizes peer-reviewed and evidence-based therapeutic techniques in her practice such as play therapy, sand tray therapy, and art therapy. Samantha is a Body-Brain sand tray specialist and uses the techniques with all ages. Samantha works primarily with clients who have experienced trauma, experience dissociative symptoms, are in the LGBTQ+ community, or are transgender. Samantha is currently a student at Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) studying Gender Studies and is currently writing her thesis entitled “Transgender and Non-Binary Lived Experiences Among Southern Appalachian Youth: Correlations of Mental Health and Interpersonal Relationship Dynamics Before, During, and After the Coming out Process.” Samantha Willis, M.Ed., LPC, NCC, Registered Play Therapist Avail Services, LLC Websites: avail.services, avail.institute