Why ODU for Registered Play Therapy?

Our Play Therapy program provides professionals and students with the opportunity to explore play therapy techniques or work toward becoming a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). It offers specialized training through a series of eight weekend workshops aligned with the guidelines established by the Association for Play Therapy (APT).

You will gain hands-on experience while covering key areas, including Play Therapy History, Seminal Theories, Skills and Methods, Special Topics, and Cultural & Social Diversity. Each workshop provides continuing education hours and helps fulfill the 150-hour requirement for RPT certification.

ODU can also support your professional growth by offering expert-led instruction in an interactive learning environment.

When you complete the program, you will be equipped with the skills and training necessary to integrate play therapy into mental health practice.

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Program Information

The Registered Play Therapy workshops are held at the main ODU Campus in Norfolk, Virginia on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 5 pm. Lunch is not provided, but there are many places on campus to grab a bite to eat.

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Seats are limited to the first 30 participants. Registration is required to attend the Registered Play Therapy workshops. Registration closes the Sunday, six (6) days prior to the start of the weekend workshop at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time). Participants MUST attend the entire workshop and submit the final workshop quiz to earn CE Certificate.

Expand your expertise in play therapy with ODU’s specialized training workshops. Enroll in the courses below and take the next step toward becoming a Registered Play Therapist (RPT).

Questions? For questions about the Registered Play Therapy Program, please contact Dr. Sharon Silverberg at playtherapyce@odu.edu or by phone 757-831-6890.

  • Mental Health Counselors
  • Marriage and Family Therapists
  • School Counselors
  • Social Workers
  • Psychologists
  • Psychiatric Nurses
  • Other Mental Health Professionals

The Registered Play Therapy workshops are held at the main ODU Campus in Norfolk, Virginia on Saturdays and Sundays from 9 am to 5 pm. Lunch is not provided, but there are many places on campus to grab a bite to eat.

Get Directions

Seats are limited to the first 30 participants. Registration is required to attend the Registered Play Therapy workshops. Registration closes the Sunday, six (6) days prior to the start of the weekend workshop at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time). Participants MUST attend the entire workshop and submit the final workshop quiz to earn CE Certificate.

Expand your expertise in play therapy with ODU’s specialized training workshops. Enroll in the courses below and take the next step toward becoming a Registered Play Therapist (RPT).

Questions? For questions about the Registered Play Therapy Program, please contact Dr. Sharon Silverberg at playtherapyce@odu.edu or by phone 757-831-6890.

  • Mental Health Counselors
  • Marriage and Family Therapists
  • School Counselors
  • Social Workers
  • Psychologists
  • Psychiatric Nurses
  • Other Mental Health Professionals

Workshop Schedule

WorkshopUpcoming Dates
Principles of Play Therapy

This workshop will provide information about the rationale, philosophy, history and theoretical underpinnings specific to the application of play therapy with various populations and in different settings.

September 27-28, 2025

Register for Principles of Play Therapy Workshop

Expressive Arts in Play Therapy

The therapeutic power of selected games, structured activities and expressive arts will be explored as they pertain to play therapy. Techniques specific to art, drama, children's literature, puppets and music will be illuminated as ideal mediums through which children and adolescents express and heal themselves through the process of play therapy.

November 8-9, 2025

Register for Expressive Arts in Play Therapy Workshop

 

Games, Activities, and Narrative Techniques in Play Therapy

The therapeutic power of selected games, structured activities, and narrative techniques will be explored as they pertain to play therapy. Basic techniques and strategies for incorporating such tools and techniques will be described, demonstrated, and practiced.

March 21-22, 2026

Register for Games, Activities, and Narrative Techniques in Play Therapy Workshop

Group Play Therapy: Play Therapy Skills and Methods in Group Work

Theoretical and philosophical concepts of Group Play Therapy with children, adolescents, and adults will be discussed. Group logistics, process, conflict resolution, and group facilitation skills will be described. Basic skills and methods to incorporate in group play therapy will be described, demonstrated, and practiced. In addition, multicultural and ethical considerations in group play therapy will be addressed.

May 9-10, 2026

Register for Group Play Therapy: Play Therapy Skills and Methods in Group Work Workshop

Systematic Interventions: Family Play Therapy and Filial Therapy

Fundamental theoretical and philosophical concepts related to systems theory and utilizing play therapy techniques in family counseling will be presented.

September 26-27, 2026

Register for Systematic Interventions: Family Play Therapy and Filial Therapy Workshop

Play Therapy and Creative Interventions with Adolescents, Teens, and Adults

This workshop will explore the process of play therapy and creative interventions when working with adolescents and adults.

November 7-8, 2026

Register for Play Therapy and Creative Interventions with Adolescents, Teens, and Adults Workshop

Utilizing Sandtray in Play Therapy

Through experiential sand tray exercises and didactic methods, information about the rationale, history, and general application of sand tray in play therapy will be illustrated.

February 6-7, 2027

Register for Utilizing Sandtray in Play Therapy Workshop

Addressing Trauma, Grief, and Loss Through Play Therapy

This workshop will investigate specific issues faced by children, adolescents, and families affected by difficult environmental and systematic situations. The implications of trauma, grief, and loss as a result of abuse, crisis, death and divorce will be reviewed as they pertain to the process.

May 22-23, 2027

Registration for this workshop opens soon.

CEUs Awarded
19

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) are nationally recognized credits that certify participation in professional development and training programs, helping individuals maintain credentials and enhance their skills.

*19 CEUs hours for each 2-day workshop (14 contact CEUs & 5 non-contact CEUs)

Cost & Aid

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Calculating Cost
Per 2-Day Workshop
$339

Continuing Education can accept payments for courses in several different forms. ODU's helpful staff can assist you in determining if you might qualify for any number of various funding options that could assist you with non-credit continuing educational opportunities to improve your marketability and advance your career.

Explore Continuing Education Financial Information
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Refund Policy

To cancel your registration, you must send a request in writing to ssilverb@odu.edu at least seven (7) days before the workshop start date. Failure to attend a workshop does not constitute cancellation. Course registration fees, less a $50 processing fee, will be refunded via the original form of payment. In the unlikely event that this workshop is cancelled or postponed due to insufficient enrollments or unforeseen circumstances, ODU Continuing Education will fully refund registration fees, but cannot be held responsible for any other expenses, including change or cancellation charges to include but not limited to airlines, hotels, travel agencies, or other organizations.

Careers in Play Therapy

Our graduates pursue roles as registered play therapists, child and adolescent counselors, school-based mental health professionals, and family therapists, using play-based techniques to support emotional and behavioral development in children.

Marriage and Family Therapists
Growth
16.2%
Median Salary
$58,510
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
Growth
4.9%
Median Salary
$53,940
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
Growth
4.5%
Median Salary
$61,710

Learning Objectives by Workshop

Discuss the historical context and the beginnings of utilizing sandtray in play therapy.

  1. Explain the benefits and rationale for utilizing sandtray in play therapy.
  2. Analyze the benefits of using sandtray in play therapy.
  3. Assess critical factors to consider when choosing sandtray as an intervention in play therapy.
  4. Review counseling theories commonly used in sandtray.
  5. Discuss how to choose sandtray directives with intention and grounded in counseling theory.
  6. Discuss specific examples of sandtray in play therapy.
  7. Demonstrate basic ability to perform sand tray interventions presented through role-plays and small group activities.
  8. Identify at least three ways sandtray interventions presented and practiced can be used.
  9. Describe the most current research and literature involving sandtray.
  10. Identify three ethical considerations when using sandtray.
  11. Identify potential multicultural considerations when using sandtray.

Discuss the historical context and the beginnings of utilizing play therapy to address trauma.

  1. Explain the benefits and rationale for utilizing play therapy interventions and techniques to address trauma.
  2. Analyze the benefits of using play therapy to address trauma.
  3. Assess critical factors to consider when choosing play therapy to address trauma.
  4. Review counseling theories commonly used in addressing trauma through play therapy.
  5. Discuss how to choose play therapy interventions to address trauma with intention and grounded in counseling theory (CBT, Gestalt, Psychodynamic, Adlerian, etc.).
  6. Discuss specific examples of play therapy that can be used to address trauma.
  7. Demonstrate basic ability to perform play therapy techniques when addressing trauma as presented through role-plays and small group activities.
  8. Identify at least three ways the play therapy interventions that address trauma presented and practiced can be used.
  9. Describe the most current research and literature involving play therapy to address trauma.
  10. Identify three ethical considerations when using play therapy interventions to address trauma.
  11. Identify potential multicultural considerations when using play therapy interventions to address trauma.

Discuss the historical context and the beginnings of play therapy.

  1. Explain the benefits and rationale of utilizing play therapy with young children, adolescents, teens, and adults.
  2. Analyze the benefits of using play therapy with young children, adolescents, teens, and adults.
  3. Assess critical factors to consider when utilizing play therapy with young children, adolescents, teens, and adults.
  4. Review counseling theories in play therapy.
  5. Discuss how to choose play therapy interventions for young children, adolescents, teens, and adults with intention and grounded in counseling theory.
  6. Discuss specific examples of play therapy interventions to use when working with young children, adolescents, teens, and adults.
  7. Demonstrate basic ability to perform play therapy techniques with young children, adolescents, teens, and adults using creative interventions presented through role-plays and small group activities.
  8. Identify three play therapy interventions presented can be used with young children, adolescents, teens, and adults.
  9. Describe the most current research and literature involving play therapy interventions with young children, adolescents, teens, and adults.
  10. Identify three ethical considerations when using play therapy interventions with young children, adolescents, teens, and adults.
  11. Identify potential multicultural considerations when using play therapy interventions with young children, adolescents, teens, and adults.

Discuss the historical context and the beginnings of utilizing expressive arts in play therapy.

  1. Explain the benefits and rationale for utilizing expressive arts play therapy interventions and techniques.
  2. Analyze the benefits of using expressive arts interventions in play therapy.
  3. Assess critical factors to consider when choosing expressive art interventions in play therapy.
  4. Review counseling theories commonly used in expressive arts in play therapy.
  5. Discuss how to choose expressive art interventions with intention and grounded in counseling theory (CBT, Gestalt, Psychodynamic, Adlerian, etc.).
  6. Discuss specific examples of expressive arts in play therapy.
  7. Demonstrate basic ability to perform expressive art play therapy techniques and interventions as presented through role-plays and small group activities.
  8. Identify at least three expressive art play therapy interventions presented and practiced.
  9. Describe the most current research and literature involving play therapy interventions with adolescents, teens, and adults.
  10. Identify three ethical considerations when using expressive arts in play therapy.
  11. Identify potential multicultural considerations when using expressive arts in play therapy.

March 21-22, 2026

The therapeutic power of selected games, structured activities, and narrative techniques will be explored as they pertain to play therapy. Basic techniques and strategies for incorporating such tools and techniques will be described, demonstrated, and practiced.

Learning Objectives

Discuss the historical context and the beginnings of utilizing games, activities, and narrative technique in play therapy.

  1. Explain the benefits and rationale for utilizing games, activities, and narrative technique in play therapy interventions.
  2. Analyze the benefits of using games, activities, and narrative technique in play therapy.
  3. Assess critical factors to consider when choosing games, activities, and narrative technique in play therapy.
  4. Review counseling theories commonly used with games, activities, and narrative techniques in play therapy.
  5. Discuss how to choose games, activities, and narrative techniques in play therapy.
  6. Discuss specific examples of games, activities, and narrative techniques in play therapy.
  7. Demonstrate basic ability to perform games, activities, and narrative techniques in play therapy presented through role-plays and small group activities.
  8. Identify at least three games, activities, and narrative techniques in play therapy.
  9. Describe the most current research and literature involving games, activities, and narrative techniques in play therapy.
  10. Identify three ethical considerations when using games, activities, and narrative techniques in play therapy.
  11. Identify potential multicultural considerations when using games, activities, and narrative techniques in play therapy.

Register for Games, Activities, and Narrative Techniques in Play Therapy Workshop

Discuss the historical context and the beginnings of utilizing family play therapy and Filial therapy.

  1. Explain the benefits and rationale for utilizing family play therapy and Filial therapy.
  2. Analyze the benefits of using family play therapy and Filial therapy.
  3. Assess critical factors to consider when choosing to use family play therapy and Filial therapy.
  4. Review counseling theories commonly associated with family play therapy and Filial therapy.
  5. Discuss how to choose play therapy interventions for family play therapy and Filial therapy.
  6. Discuss specific examples of play therapy interventions for family play therapy and Filial therapy.
  7. Demonstrate basic ability to perform play therapy techniques in family play therapy and Filial therapy through role-plays and small group activities.
  8. Identify at least three ways the family play therapy and Filial therapy interventions presented and practiced can be used.
  9. Describe the most current research and literature involving family play therapy and Filial therapy.
  10. Identify three ethical considerations when using family play therapy and Filial therapy.
  11. Identify potential multicultural considerations when using family play therapy and Filial therapy.
Contact Continuing Education
Phone: 757-683-5650
Email: cepd@odu.edu
Address: 1105 Student Success Center, Norfolk, VA 23529