A Play Therapy Tapestry of Themes and Parts: An IFS-Informed Approach to Trauma Treatment (In Person Ticket)

This integrative training explores how play therapy themes reflect children’s internal experiences and can be understood through an IFS-informed parts lens. Participants will examine how recurring themes in play, such as safety, control, aggression, and nurturing, represent protective and vulnerable parts shaped by trauma and attachment.

Grounded in the Therapeutic Powers of Play and trauma-informed care, this workshop supports clinicians in moving beyond surface interpretation toward deeper case conceptualization and intentional intervention. Attendees will learn to track themes, recognize parts without pathologizing, and respond with attunement, curiosity, and developmentally appropriate language.

This training is designed to help clinicians strengthen their clinical decision-making and trauma-informed play therapy practice by integrating themes and parts work into a cohesive framework.

Objectives:

• Identify common play therapy themes that emerge in children’s play and their connection to internal parts.

• Describe how play therapy themes reflect protective and vulnerable parts within an IFS-informed framework.