JFS Play Institute is proud to be an approved continuing education provider by the Association for Play Therapy (APT). We offer high-quality play therapy training throughout the year. Our mission is to expand the reach of play therapy by equipping professionals with practical skills and foundational concepts to support the emotional well-being of children through developmentally appropriate, play therapy approaches. Our experienced Registered Play Therapist–Supervisors (RPT-S ™) can provide supervision toward play therapy credentialing hours.
APT Approved Provider #25-778
JFS Play Institute – Upcoming Trainings
Fall 2026
June 26, 2026: First Steps into Play Therapy
July 31, 2026: Child Development and the Play Therapist's Role:
August 28, 2026: Exploring the Healing Power of Sand-Based Play Therapy and InterpersonalNeurobiology to Transform Trauma
September 18, 2026: Collaborating with Caregivers in Play Therapy:Through the Looking Glass
October 15-16, 2026: Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy Parts 1 & 2
November 13, 2026: Clinical Supervision in Play Therapy: RPT-Supervision Skills for Competent Practice
December 11, 2026: Supporting Grieving Children Through Play Therapy
Program Presenters: Emily Van Laan, LCSW-S, RPT-S™; Katie Harlan, LCSW-S, RPT™
Description: Take your first steps into the world of play therapy! Learn the historical foundations as well as the major componentsof play therapy. Participants will gain an understanding of how play can be utilized as the therapeutic agent of change when working with children.
Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Understand the historical foundations of Play Therapy.
Define Play Therapy.
Identify the seminal and historically sgnificant Play Therapy theories.
Identify the therapeutic powers of play.
Terms and Conditions:
Alexander JFS reserves the right to cancel any of these training in the event of unforeseen circumstances. If such a cancellation occurs, JFS will attempt to notify registrants and offer an alternative training opportunity or refund all registration fees.
Registration refunds must be requested at least 48 hours prior to the class date and only 75% of the purchase price will be refunded.
Registration refunds will NOT be made to registrants who register but do not attend.
Registrants requiring accommodations must submit a medical professional’s note specifying the required accommodations to Jfsplayinstitute@alexanderjfs.org a minimum of 7 days prior to any training for which they have registered.
Play therapy credit is only awarded to mental health professionals.
Child Development and the Play Therapist’s Role - REGISTER NOW
Date: Friday, July 31, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM-12:00 PM (CDT)
Format: In person, Contact Hours OR Virtual, Non-Contact Hours
Facility name and address: Alexander JFS, 4131S Braeswood Blvd, Houston, TX 77025
Program Presenters: Emily VanLaan, LCSW-S, RPT-S™; Katie Harlan, LCSW-S, RPT™
Description: This training is designed to help participants understand the growth and developmentof children from birth to 8-years-old. Participants will dive into the nuances of determining when play therapy is appropriate for a child by learning strategies to assess typical and atypical behaviors. Participants will also learn appropriate play therapy interventions based on a child’s age and stage of development.
Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Increase knowledge of typical and atypical child development.
Identify when play therapy is an appropriate intervention.
Examine the ethical and culturalconsiderations play therapists must integrate when working with children atdifferent developmental stages.
Identify which models of play therapy are appropriate based on a child’s age and cognitive development.
Terms and Conditions:
Alexander JFS reserves the right to cancel any of these training in the event of unforeseen circumstances. If such a cancellation occurs, JFS will attempt to notify registrants and offer an alternative training opportunity or refund all registration fees.
Registration refunds must be requested at least 48 hours prior to the class date and only 75% of the purchase price will be refunded.
Registration refunds will NOT be made to registrants who register but do not attend.
Registrants requiring accommodations must submit a medical professional’s note specifying the required accommodations to Jfsplayinstitute@alexanderjfs.org a minimum of 7 days prior to any training for which they have registered.
Play therapy credit is only awarded to mental health professionals.
Exploring the Healing Power of Sand-Based Play Therapy and Interpersonal Neurobiology to Transform Trauma - REGISTER NOW
Date: Friday, August 28, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM-12:00 PM (CDT)
Format: In person, Contact Hours OR Virtual, Non-Contact Hours
Facility name and address: Alexander JFS, 4131 S Braeswood Blvd, Houston, TX 77025
APT CE Hours: 3
Cost: $75.00
Program Presenter: Natasha Prosperi, LCSW-S, RPT-S™
Description: Trauma resides in the body and the subconscious, often beyond the reach of traditional talk therapy. This workshop invites clinicians to bridge that gap by integrating Interpersonal Neurobiology(IPNB) with the expressive depth of Sand-Based Play Therapy. Participants will explore how the tactile, symbolic nature of the sand tray acts as a powerful external brain, allowing clients to safely process complex trauma. We will focus on the therapist's role as a "regulated presence," emphasizing the neurobiological impact of attunement and self-awareness on the healing process. Join us to refine your clinical presence and master practical interventions that facilitate deep neural integration for survivors of trauma.
Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Describe the importance of self-awareness and attunement as a sand-based play therapist.
Identify opportunities to practice attunement during the sandtray therapy protocol while doing sand-based play therapy.
Explain how to integrate sand-based play therapy interventions during trauma treatment.
Terms and Conditions:
Alexander JFS reserves the right to cancel any of these training in the event of unforeseen circumstances. If such a cancellation occurs, JFS will attempt to notify registrants and offer an alternative training opportunity or refund all registration fees.
Registration refunds must be requested at least 48 hours prior to the class date and only 75% of the purchase price will be refunded.
Registration refunds will NOT be made to registrants who register but do not attend.
Registrants requiring accommodations must submit a medical professional’s note specifying the required accommodations to Jfsplayinstitute@alexanderjfs.org a minimum of 7 days prior to any training for which they have registered.
Play therapy credit is only awarded to mental health professionals.
Collaborating with Caregivers in Play Therapy: Through the Looking Glass - REGISTER NOW
Date: Friday, September 18, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM-12:00 PM (CDT)
Format: In person, Contact Hours OR Virtual,Non-Contact Hours
Facility name and address: Alexander JFS, 4131 S Braeswood Blvd, Houston, TX 77025
APT CE Hours: 3
Cost: $75.00
Program Presenter: JenniferJ. Cain, LPC-S, RPT-S™, RST
Description: Beginning play therapy can feel for parents much like Alice stepping through the looking glass — a bewildering, magical, and sometimes unsettling journey into a world where the usual rules no longer apply. Everything looks familiar yet operates by a different logic. There’s curiosity, confusion, and hope — all swirling together. As play therapists, we are the guides in this Wonderland, helping parents navigate a world where healing can look like a tea party or a Jabberwocky battle, and where meaning unfolds in ways they may not expect but deeply need.
Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Identify various challenge swith caregivers during play therapy treatment.
Utilize strategies to develop their own approach for play therapy consultations with caregivers.
Explain the play therapy process to caregivers.
Explain nervous system activation within the play therapy process to caregivers.
Terms and Conditions:
Alexander JFS reserves the right to cancel any of these training in the event of unforeseen circumstances. If such a cancellation occurs, JFS will attempt to notify registrants and offer an alternative training opportunity or refund all registration fees.
Registration refunds must be requested at least 48 hours prior to the class date and only 75% of the purchase price will be refunded.
Registration refunds will NOT be made to registrants who register but do not attend.
Registrants requiring accommodations must submit a medical professional’s note specifying the required accommodations to Jfsplayinstitute@alexanderjfs.org a minimum of 7 days prior to any training for which they have registered.
Play therapy credit is only awarded to mental health professionals.
Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy Parts 1 and 2 - REGISTER NOW
Date: Thursday and Friday, October 15-16, 2026
Time: Thursday, 9:00 AM-4:30 PM (CDT)and Friday 9:00 AM-3:30 PM (CDT) Participants must attend both days of training to receive APT CE hours
Format: In-Person
APT CE Hours: 12 Contact Hours
Cost: $300.00
Facility name and address: Alexander JFS, 4131 S Braeswood Blvd, Houston, TX 77025
Program Presenters: Emily Van Laan, LCSW-S, RPT-S™; Katie Harlan, LCSW-S, RPT™
Description: In this two-day training, participants will learn the basic skills and interventions of Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy! Through lecture and practice, participants will understand how to incorporate play into therapeutic work to meet the developmental needs of children. This training will give participants practical play therapy activities to incorporate into each phase of Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy.
Part 1 Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Understand the importance of adapting Cognitive Behavioral Therapy when working with children.
Identify four phases of Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy.
Utilize assessment tools to inform therapeutic interventions.
Understand how to collaborate wit children and parents to develop a treatment plan.
Understand basic Cognitive Behavioral PlayTherapy methods and skills.
Apply assessment and treatment planning strategies to practice through case example discussion.
Part 2 Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Understand basic Cognitive Behavioral PlayTherapy methods and skills.
An increased understanding of four phases of Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy and process of moving between phases.
Utilize cognitive and behavioral Play Therapy interventions to target treatment goals.
Use assessment skills to evaluate effectiveness of treatment.
Understand impacts of a child’s development on selecting appropriate Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy interventions.
Practice and receive feedback on Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy skills.
Terms and Conditions:
Alexander JFS reserves the right to cancel any of these training in the event of unforeseen circumstances. If such a cancellation occurs, JFS will attempt to notify registrants and offer an alternative training opportunity or refund all registration fees.
Registration refunds must be requested at least 48 hours prior to the class date and only 75% of the purchase price will be refunded.
Registration refunds will NOT be made to registrants who register but do not attend.
Registrants requiring accommodations must submit a medical professional’s note specifying the required accommodations to Jfsplayinstitute@alexanderjfs.org a minimum of 7 days prior to any training for which they have registered.
Play therapy credit is only awarded to mental health professionals.
Clinical Supervision in Play Therapy: RPT-Supervision Skills for Competent Practice - REGISTER NOW
Date: Friday, November 13, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM-11:00 AM (CDT)
Format: Virtual, Non-Contact Hours
APT CE Hours: 2 Hours
Cost: $50.00
Facility name and address: Alexander JFS, 4131 S Braeswood Blvd, Houston, TX 77025
Program Presenters: Emily Van Laan, LCSW-S, RPT-S™; Ada Cheung, PhD, LCSW-S, RPT-S™
Description: This training will give play therapists the background knowledge and tools they need to practice competent, ethical RPT supervision. Participants will learn strategies that both enhance the RPT-supervisee professional relationship and integrate play therapy interventions into supervision.
Objectives:
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Identify the foundational principles and competencies of RPT-Supervision.
Apply ethical and legal guidelines to RPT supervision in play therapy.
Demonstrate techniques for integrating play therapy interventions in supervision.
Develop strategies to enhance RPT-supervisee professional development, reflective practice, and self-awareness.
Evaluate RPT-supervisee progress using structured supervision tools and documentation.
Terms and Conditions:
Alexander JFS reserves the right to cancel any of these training in the event of unforeseen circumstances. If such a cancellation occurs, JFS will attempt to notify registrants and offer an alternative training opportunity or refund all registration fees.
Registration refunds must be requested at least 48 hours prior to the class date and only 75% of the purchase price will be refunded.
Registration refunds will NOT be made to registrants who register but do not attend.
Registrants requiring accommodations must submit a medical professional’s note specifying the required accommodations to Jfsplayinstitute@alexanderjfs.org a minimum of 7 days prior to any training for which they have registered.
Play therapy credit is only awarded to mental health professionals.
Supporting Grieving Children Through Play Therapy - REGISTER NOW
Date: Friday, December 11, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM-4:00 PM (CDT)
Format: In-Person
APT CE Hours: 6 Contact Hours
Cost: $150.00
Facility name and address: Alexander JFS, 4131 S Braeswood Blvd, Houston, TX 77025
Description: This continuing education training provides an in-depth review of how children understand and respond to grief across various developmental stages. Grounded in current bereavement theory, the course introduces evidence-based Play Therapy approaches designed to support children navigating loss. Through case examples and interactive practice, participants will build confidence in identifying grief responses, applying therapeutic techniques, and determining when Play Therapy is an appropriate clinical intervention for children experiencing grief.
Objectives:
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
Identify the core theories and foundational ideas that explain how children experience grief.
Recognize how grief presents differently across developmental stages in childhood.
Distinguish among various forms of grief and describe common features of each.
Explain how Play Therapy theories apply specifically to children coping with grief.
Evaluate situations where Play Therapy could be an appropriate method for supporting grieving children.
Discuss cultural, familial, and systemic factors that influence a child's grief experience and response to Play Therapy.
Terms and Conditions:
Alexander JFS reserves the right to cancel any of these training in the event of unforeseen circumstances. If such a cancellation occurs, JFS will attempt to notify registrants and offer an alternative training opportunity or refund all registration fees.
Registration refunds must be requested at least 48 hours prior to the class date and only 75% of the purchase price will be refunded.
Registration refunds will NOT be made to registrants who register but do not attend.
Registrants requiring accommodations must submit a medical professional’s note specifying the required accommodations to Jfsplayinstitute@alexanderjfs.org a minimum of 7 days prior to any training for which they have registered.
Play therapy credit is only awarded to mental health professionals.
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