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Digital Seminar

Play Therapy with the Modern Family: Healing Trauma, Honoring Identity, and Strengthening Resilience Across Diverse Dynamics

$129.99 Standard

As family dynamics evolve, we're seeing more diverse structures in play therapy—single-parent households, biracial families, grandparents raising children, LGBTQ+ parents, and other non-heteronormative arrangements.

As therapists, it's essential that our play therapy approaches honor these unique family structures, ensuring that every child and caregiver feels seen, supported, and empowered.

Watch experts Clair Mellenthin, LCSW, RPT-S™, and Holly Willard, LCSW, RPT-S™ to explore innovative play therapy techniques tailored for modern families experiencing challenges such as:

  • Navigating identity and belonging in biracial and LGBTQ+ families
  • Addressing trauma and loss in single-parent or grandparent-led households
  • Fostering attachment and communication skills among diverse family structures

...offering a fresh perspective on healing and resilience for the unique needs of modern families!

This cutting-edge workshop provides a creative play therapy toolbox of tips and techniques, all grounded in attachment theory, providing valuable insights into family dynamics.

Here's What You'll Learn

Foundations of Attachment Theory in Play Therapy

  • Overview of attachment theory and its relevance to modern family systems
  • Attachment needs across developmental stages
  • Case studies: Identifying attachment responses in diverse family structures

Play Therapy Techniques to Address Parent-Child Conflict

  • Serve and Return
  • Play techniques that enhance parent-child connection and resolve conflict
  • Small group practice and feedback

Strategies for Resilience and Healing

  • Examine the psychological impact of trauma on attachment
  • Implement two resilience-based play therapy strategies to foster family cohesion and healing
  • Guided imagery exercises to bolster self-esteem and self-worth
  • Interactive group discussion and case examples

Everything You're Getting

  • More than 2 hours of video content
  • Up to 2.0 CE credits
  • Certificate of completion
  • Handouts and resources

Meet Your Experts

Clair Mellenthin, PhD, LCSW, RPT-S™

Toggle speaker biography

Clair Mellenthin, PhD, LCSW, RPT-S™, is an international speaker, author, psychologist, and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. Throughout her career, she has specialized in providing play therapy to children, teens, and their families. She is currently the Director of Child & Adolescents at Wasatch Family Therapy. Ms. Mellenthin frequently presents professional play therapy and family therapy trainings on Attachment-Centered Play Therapy, Family, and Trauma issues both nationally and internationally.

Ms. Mellenthin is a sought-after supervisor, training graduate students and interns in play therapy, and an adjunct faculty member at the University of Southern California MSW program. She is the past-president of the Utah Association for Play Therapy and remains an active member on the Board of Directors. She is the author of the books Attachment Centered Play Therapy; Play Therapy: Engaging & Powerful Techniques for the Treatment of Childhood Disorders; My Many Colors of Me Workbookand has authored several chapters and articles. In addition to being an experienced play therapist and professor, Ms. Mellenthin also appears on local and national TV and radio as an expert on children and family issues. She holds a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California.

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Clair Mellenthin has an employment relationship with Wasatch Family Therapy. She is a published author and receives royalties. Clair Mellenthin receives a speaking honorarium, recording royalties, and book royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Clair Mellenthin is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, the Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the American Psychological Association, and the Association for Play Therapy.

More taught by Clair Mellenthin, PhD, LCSW, RPT-S™

Holly Willard, LCSW, RPT-S™

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Holly Willard, LCSW, RPT-S™ is the owner of Grandview Family Counseling, a private practice in Bountiful. Ms. Willard has an extensive background working with children, teens and families. She is a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, past president of Utah Play Therapy Board and presents nationally on play therapy topics. Holly Willard is an adjunct professor at Utah Valley University and is certified in TF-CBT, EMDR and Darin Way Facilitator.


Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Holly Willard is the owner of Grandview Family Counseling and has an employment relationship with Utah Valley University. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Holly Willard is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and the Association for Play Therapy.

More taught by Holly Willard, LCSW, RPT-S™

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

Register for this intensive training course without risk. If you're not completely satisfied, give us a call at 800-844-8260.

We’re that confident you'll find this learning experience to be all that's promised and more than you expected.

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Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)

Access never expires for this product.

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Media Type:
Digital Seminar
Product Code:
POS150167
Duration:
2 hours, 1 minute
Copyright:
Jun 06, 2025
Closed Captions:
Available
Format:
Audio and Video

ADA Needs

We would be happy to accommodate your ADA needs; please call our Customer Service Department for more information at 1-800-844-8260.

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