Trauma play can feel overwhelming.
When a child begins to act out trauma themes in the playroom, even experienced therapists can feel unsure how to respond, what to tell parents, or how to stay grounded themselves. This training was created to change that.
In Bottom-Up Trauma Play Therapy, you will learn a brain-based, nervous system–focused framework for understanding trauma expression in play, so you can feel confident and steady instead of reactive or uncertain.
You will see why Child-Centered Play Therapy supports trauma healing, which activities engage different parts of the brain, and how to introduce nervous system education into your sessions.
You will also practice mind-body exercises, art, and meditation activities to use with older clients to help them organize and integrate trauma experiences.
At the same time, you will explore self-care practices to keep your own nervous system regulated, leaving you with tools for your clients and renewal for yourself.
☀️ Finally understand what you’re seeing in the playroom. Learn to recognize trauma themes through a nervous system lens so you can respond with calm confidence instead of uncertainty.
☀️ Connect theory to real practice. Discover how bottom-up healing works through movement, sensory play, and symbolic expression rather than talk alone.
☀️ Support clients of all ages. Use art, mindfulness, and body-based tools that translate beautifully from children to teens and adults.
☀️ Stay grounded and regulated. Practice simple self-regulation strategies to keep your own nervous system steady, even in the midst of intense play.
☀️ Leave inspired. Walk away with a clearer understanding of trauma healing, renewed compassion for your clients, and practical interventions you can use right away.
On-Demand Format: Video Recorded Class
Self Paced Therapist Training
4 Non-Contact APT CEs
4 NBCC CEs (On-Demand)
$99
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this 4 CE course, participants will be able to:
🍎 Assess potential trauma risk factors and symptoms with play therapy clients and their parents/caregivers.
🍎 Explain the importance of regulation, attachment, the brain and nervous system, and safety in relation to trauma processing in the playroom.
🍎 Identify at least five indicators that play may be communicating or processing trauma and how/when to communicate trauma play to parents.
🍎 Use at least five play therapy interventions—both ecosystemic and child-centered for facilitating trauma processing in the playroom.
🍎 Describe how the therapist can stay regulated during and after intense trauma play therapy sessions and why it is important.
Continuing Education Credit
This course is designed to meet APT and NBCC standards for professional continuing education. It provides 4 non-contact continuing education hours (if viewed on-demand) in the area of Skills & Methods / Trauma-Focused Play Therapy.
Participants will complete interactive learning activities, reflection prompts, and a post-training evaluation to receive a certificate of completion.
Materials Needed
Please have paper, markers, crayons, or other creative tools available to participate fully in the experiential activities.
☀️ Play therapists and child clinicians who want to better understand how trauma shows up in play and how to respond without interrupting the child’s natural healing process.
☀️ Therapists working with trauma across the lifespan who want creative, brain-based ways to use play, art, and mindfulness with both children and adults.
☀️ Clinicians new to trauma work who need a grounded, accessible way to make sense of trauma play without feeling overwhelmed or uncertain.
☀️ Experienced therapists looking to reconnect with the deeper purpose of their work and refresh their understanding of how bottom-up healing truly unfolds.