Every play therapist has been there: a child begins to escalate, the energy in the room spikes, and your own body starts to tighten.
Regulation and outbursts can be intimidating, even scary ...especially when you are trying to stay attuned and therapeutic.
Without understanding what is happening inside both of your nervous systems, it is easy to freeze, react, or feel overwhelmed.
This 4-hour pre-recorded training takes PolyVagal Theory out of the textbook and into the playroom. You will learn how the nervous system drives behavior, how to recognize states of activation in real time, and how to respond in ways that support regulation for both the child and yourself.
You will experience tangible, somatic exercises that land in the body, because co-regulation starts with you.
You will leave with a clear, embodied understanding of how attachment, stress hormones, co-regulation, shutdown, and more impact play therapy clients day-to-day, and why this is equally important for you. You will also gather practical tips to share with parents so they can extend regulation work at home.
This training blends theory, application, and self-care to help you feel steady, confident, and effective even in the most intense sessions.
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:
🍎 Explain the importance of a child’s regulation and attachment in relation to Polyvagal Theory.
🍎 Describe the different parts of the nervous system essential to Polyvagal Theory and how they are applicable in Play Therapy.
🍎 Identify at least six Play Therapy interventions for use with different states of nervous system activation in Play Therapy sessions.
🍎 Assess the signs and symptoms of various nervous system states to better guide intervention choices.
🍎 Explain Polyvagal Theory basics and Play Therapy–related interventions to parents/caregivers and Play Therapy clients in clear, parent-friendly language.
🍎 Apply self-regulation and co-regulation techniques during sessions to stay grounded as a Play Therapist when children escalate or shut down.
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.
Participants will complete interactive learning activities, reflection prompts, and a post-training evaluation to receive a certificate of completion.
Materials Needed
Please have space to move and simple creative tools ready—paper, markers, crayons, or other sensory items—to participate fully in the somatic and experiential activities included in this course.
☀️ Play therapists and creative arts therapists
☀️ Therapists interested in creative ways to calm the nervous system
☀️ Therapists wanting to make PolyVagal Theory applicable and simple to understand
☀️ Play therapists who want to learn strategies to keep things calm in the play room
☀️ Therapists who want to feel more balanced themselves
☀️ Curious counselors, social workers, psychologists