Theraplay is a child and family therapy for building and enhancing attachment. It is based on the natural and healthy interactions between adults and children that is playful, fun and physical. The Therapist works with both the child and the adult using a number of different games to improve relationships. Theraplay can also be used in groups of children and these groups are becoming more widespread in schools to help promote nurture and also regulation. This is a 2 session course and each session is a 3-hour experiential workshop. This course is suitable for all professionals who work with children.

The anticipated learning outcomes of this session are:

• The importance of play in forming attachments

• Early parenting experiences

• Our own childhood experience

• Attachment Theory

• Theraplay Principles

Therapeutic Play helps a child understand their worries and make some sense of events that are troubling them. Play is a child’s natural medium of communication and using a selection of play materials and play strategies children can express their thoughts and feelings at their own pace. This in a 2 session course and each session is a 3-hour experiential workshop. This course is suitable for all professionals who work with children.

The anticipated outcomes of session 1:

• The importance of play

• Symbolic and imaginative play

• Play Therapist vs Play Worker

• Creating sand worlds

• Creating a secure base

The anticipated outcomes of session 2:

• Therapeutic Play Principles

• Therapeutic skills

• Emotional development

• Emotional development and trauma

• Therapeutic Practices

This two part workshop explores Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) and how they affect a child throughout their childhood and beyond. Many children and young people experience trauma of some sort during their childhood but children who have experienced high levels of trauma can suffer from poor mental and physical health throughout their lives. This course will help participants explore ACE’s, the impact they have and techniques to assist a child with emotional regulation. This course is suitable for all professionals who work with children.

The anticipated learning outcomes to this course are:

• Trauma and how it impacts behaviour

• Fight, Flight and Freeze response

• Emotional regulation

• ACE’s and outcomes for children

• Play activities to help emotional regulation

The child’s brain and how it works is not only important for professionals to learn but also for children. Helping children learn about the brain can in turn help them recognise triggers that may dysregulate them. Different play strategies can help to regulate a child. This is a 3-hour experiential workshop and is suitable for all professionals who work with children.

The anticipated learning outcomes of this session are:

• How the brain works

• How trauma affects the brain

• The upstairs and the downstairs brain

• How to teach children about the brain

• Helping to regulate children through play

Unfortunately, loss is a devastating part of life and for children it can be very difficult to understand. This is a 3-hour session that will approach this sensitive subject. Children of school age may face losing someone very close to them. At this time, they are not sure what to feel or think. They may not know who or how to turn to. This session will help those to assist children through their emotions, fears and anxieties. This course is suitable for all professionals who work with children.

The anticipated learning outcomes of this session are:

• A child’s view of death

• The theory of loss

• Children’s feelings

• Workers feelings

• Ways to help