11708 Wayzata Blvd
Minnetonka, MN 55305
ph. 952-544-0964
fax. 952-544-6405
joyce_arendt@msn.com
Lunch and Learn Educational Series
Family Connections offers a one hour "Lunch and Learn Educational Series".
Space is limited so register early.
~ Play Therapy: Learning how to speak "Child" (February 20, 2012, from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm)
"Play is the language of children", a common phrase used by play therapists. You will learn how children use symbols, metaphor and themes in their play to
communicate their needs, struggles and wishes. Differences between directive and non-directive approaches to play therapy will be discussed.
Objectives: you will learn...
1) how to interpret a child's play therapy session through metaphor, symbols and themes
2) how to track and reflect metaphor, symbols and themes back to the child to deepen the play therapy process
3) at least 3 differences between directive and non-directive play therapy
~ Play Therapy: Honoring the Story (April 9, 2012, from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm)
Children use play to recreate stressful and overwhelming events in their life. You will learn how this is expressed in the playroom and four sequential ways children
integrate these traumatic memories toward healing.
Objectives: you will learn... 1) basic overview of Drs. Byron and Carol Norton's model of experiential play therapy
2) four sequential ways in which children are able to utilize the experiential model to heal from trauma
3) how to through video observation how to follow and track traum memories in the body
~ Play Therapy: The Power of Attunement (June 18, 2012, from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm)
Filial play therapy is a powerful tool and can assist families experiencing a multitude of issues including divorce or separation. Filial play therapy strengthens family
bonds, increases attachment and promotes the natural attunement inherent within us. Learn how parents are used as the primary change agents and hold special play
sessions while being coached and supervised by trained play therapists.
Objectives: you will learn... 1) the five basic skills of the Filial Play Therapy model
2) the steps involved in the Filial Play Therapy process
3) how the parallel process of the Supervised Play Therapy sessions enhances a parents ability to increase their attunement
~ Play Therapy: "Plugging in" to Children (August 8, 2012, from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm)
Learn how therapists, educators, parents and day care providers can emotionally "plug in" as a way of managing children's behaviors. Becky Bailey's Conscious
Discipline and Brain State model will be discussed and you will acquire several new techniques that help children regulate their emotionas and feel empowered.
Objectives: you will learn... 1) understand behavior in relation to brain states and emotional states
2) hands on playful activities that build connections and wire children's brains for willingness and impulse control
3) An overview of the seven powers for conscious adults
~ Play Therapy: A Heroes Journey, Following the Yellow Brick Road (September 24, 2012, from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm)
Each of us is a hero in our own right. Learn the eight transformational steps we take as we travel through our personal journeys. Learn how the philosphy of a journey
is used as an adult play therapy tool in promoting change and providing hope.
Objectives: you will learn... 1) the eight transformational steps to a journey
2) how to use these play therapy steps to help your adult clients through their personal journey
~ Play Therapy: Sand Journeys (November 19, 2012, from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm)
Sand symbolizes the ultimate "Mother Earth" and allows clients (children & adults) to move deeper into their unconscious. Sand can be viewed as an "attachment
figure" or tool assisting individuals in creating healthier and secure attachments. The sand is where transference/counter-transference can occur rather that through
the therapeutic relationship. Learn how therapists use the power of the sand and miniature figurines to express themselves and generate deep psychic change.
Objectives: you will learn... 1) the basic mechanics of Sand Tray Therapy
2) and experience a brief experiential exercise
3) gain insight into the use of metaphors & symbolism in the sand
~ Play Therapy: Emotional First Aid for Children and Adults (December 17, 2012, from 11:30 am - 12:30 pm)
We are all resilient and in order to maximize our resiliency, we need to provide initial first aid to children and ourselves immediately following a traumatic event.
Learn about the differences between small, big and catastrophic traumatic events. You will walk away with several tools to minimize the development of anxiety
post-traumatic stress symptoms in yourself and in your children. You will also learn how trauma impacts the brain and how to access our innate capacity to grow
and heal.
Objectives: you will learn... 1) the basic philosophy of the Triune Brain
2) the neurological and physiological changes that occur during a threat response
3) at least five basic skills to provide immediate first aid to self regulate yourself and your children
4) how play therapy can help children heal from trauma
Your agency can contract with us to present these topics during a brown bag lunch for a small fee of $150 or you can come to the Family Connections office free of charge. Space is limited at Family Connections so please register in advance. The dates for the "Lunch and Learn Education Series" at Family Connections are listed above.
To attend the "Lunch and Learn Educational Series" at Family Connections, you must register due to space limitations. Please send email with the following information: "NAME", "YOUR PHONE NUMBER" and what "LUNCH AND LEARN" you plan on attending. In the event more people register than Family Connections is able to hold, we have access to a larger meeting area. So please check this website prior to attending. However, Family Connections will make every attempt to contact all registrants in advance of any changes to the meeting place.
Presentations on Play Therapy
Is your agency or clinic seeking an in-house training? Consider hiring Joyce Arendt for a half day or full day presentation that will provide a different and unique perspective on children's motivation for negative and destructive behaviors.
Joyce is able to provide you with her knowledge and physiology of the brain, how the brain is impacted by traumatic events in one's life, and how the body is impacted and remembers traumatic events via the neurological system. She will provide an interesting perspective on the Triune Brain, how the fight/flight thwarted efforts create a freeze response, how the sympathetic and parasympathetic systems of the autonomic nervous system become activated and relaxed depending on the environmental cues of potential threat. She is able to illustrtate how emotional regulation is dependent on the activation and over stimulation of the sympathetic system and how it directly relates to the child's environment. More importantly, Joyce is able to demonstrate how this physiology of the brain can be permanently altered toward healing and emotional regulation.
Children love to play. While they play they are actually learning about their world, the people in their world and themselves. Play therapists say "play is the language of children" and the "toys are their words." During play therapy, children have access to a variety of toys to express themselves as they desire through dramatic and imaginary play, sand, and art. The Experiential approach is a client centered model which is used most effectively with children who have experienced trauma, such as child abuse. While there are many playful techniques available to connect with children, the experiential approach developed by Drs. Byron and Carol Norton provides children with the ability to safely access experiences, discharge energy, integrate memories and regulate emotions.
Joyce will connect the healing components of play therapy with basic physiology of the brain and body by supplying valuable techniques for you in your environment whether it is a residential facility, a county agency, a juvenile detention center, foster care, day treatment program, partial hospitlization, clinic, or school setting.
Participants will...
1) Learn how trauma affects the brain and negatively impacts children and families.
2) Learn Drs. Byron and Carol Norton's model of Experiential Play Therapy.
3) Learn how symbols and metaphors/themes play a role in play therapy and will be able to identify at least 5 of each.
4) Learn 4 sequential ways children integrate traumatic memories toward healing.
Cost for half day presentation $600
4 hours continuing education credits available from the Association for Play Therapy
Full day presentations $1200
6-8 hours continuing education credits available from the Association for Play Therapy
. . . Restorative Healing for All Generations
February Lunch & Learn Full
No space available
