From Chaos to Comfort: The Power of Play in Times of Trauma
October 25 @ 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
$100.00 – $175.00Applying Play and Play Therapy to Mass Trauma and Critical Events
Description
This interactive workshop provides an overview of an innovative model for intervention in crises and potentially traumatizing contexts called “Coping with the present while building for the future (CPBF)”. The workshop will present the reasons that support a process-oriented approach based on the principles of psychological first aid intervention, the Polyvagal Theory, and the application of the therapeutic powers of play and play therapy.
The presenters will discuss the importance of structuring a multi-layered intervention in which the interlinking of grounding and advanced activities can lead to the realization of the “Safest Possible Environment (SaPE)”. Special attention will be paid to the role of the therapeutic powers of play in the various phases of the intervention to engage and empower children, and to support them in overcoming mental health problems.
In this regard, the reasons that support the use of a prescriptive approach in the implementation of the specialized phase of intervention will be discussed. The workshop will offer opportunities to practice play-based and creative techniques useful in the various phases of a program and introspective activities.
Learning Objectives
- Discuss the relevance of a process-oriented approach that includes play therapy as a specialized treatment in crisis contexts.
- Describe the main phases of the approach “Coping with the present while building for the future (CPBF)”.
Identify at least 5 play therapy abilities and/or techniques that promote a feeling of safety. - Explain how the therapeutic powers of play and play therapy might be applied at the different levels of intervention from the initial to the specialized stage.
- Describe the role play therapists have in the planning and realization of the “Safest Possible Environment (SaPE)”.
- Discuss how to operationally address aspects of inclusion and diversity of local resources when intervening with play and play therapy in crisis contexts.
Meet Your Speakers
Claudio Mochi, MA, RP, RPT-S™, is the Director of the University Master’s Program in Play Therapy of the International Academy for Play Therapy (INA) and the European University of Rome, Founder and President of the Association for Play Therapy Italy (APTI). He is a Psychologist and Psychotherapist, a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor™, expert in Emergency Interventions and Disaster Mental Health with 25 years of international field experience. He has worked with major humanitarian organizations in post-disaster scenarios in the creation and development of psychosocial programs dedicated to survivors and training of local staff in many Countries (West Bank and Gaza, Pakistan, Iran, Sri Lanka, Haiti, Nigeria, Lebanon, etc.). He has authored books, chapters and numerous articles.
Isabella Cassina, MA, TPS, CAGS, PhD Candidate, is the Director of Project Management at the International Academy for Play Therapy (INA) based in Switzerland, University Lecturer, Founding Member of the International Consortium of Play Therapy Associations (IC-PTA) and Editor-in-chief of the Italian Play Therapy Magazine. She is a Social Worker, registered Therapeutic Play Specialist, pursuing a PhD in Expressive Arts Therapy. Isabella has been Head of Social Services for the Swiss Red Cross asylum seekers and refugees sector. She is expert in International Cooperation and Project Development with over 12 years of international field experience in contexts of crisis and high vulnerability (India, Serbia, Nigeria, Haiti, Venezuela, etc.). She is author of books, articles and board games for families and schools.