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 2025
November 13 & 14, 2025: Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy Parts 1 (6.5 Contact hours) and Part 2 (5.5 Contact hours) - $300
December 12, 2025: Supporting Grieving Children through Play Therapy (6 contact hours) - $150
Spring 2026
January 30, 2026: Play Therapy in the Digital Age: Understanding Technology, Parenting, and the Modern Family System (3 Contact hours) - $75
April 24, 2026: Psychotropic Medications: Why Play Therapists Should Care and What They Need to Know(3 contact hours) - $75
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:
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.
Play Therapy in the Digital Age: Understanding Technology, Parenting, and the Modern Family System - REGISTER NOW
Date: Friday, January 30, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Format: In-person
APT CE Hours: 3 Contact Hours
Cost: $75
Facility name and address: Alexander JFS, 4131 S Braeswood Blvd, Houston, TX 77025
Description: This 3-hour training gives a brief overview of the impacts of technology on child development and its implications for play therapy. Therapists will gain an understanding of assessing for problematic technology use and when intervention is necessary.
Objectives:
Differentiate between evidence-based findings and common misconceptions about the effects of technology and social media on child development and behavior.
Describe the impacts of adverse technology use on children and family functioning.
Apply theoretically supported methods of assessment, including family communication, parental functioning and parenting behaviors which influence children's technology use.
Identify behavioral and emotional indicators of problematic digital engagement in children through play observation and assessment.
Demonstrate play therapy techniques that enhance connection and co-regulation in digitally distracted families.
Design play-based and parent–child interventions that promote digital wellness, mindful technology use, and family connection.
Psychotropic Medications: Why Play Therapists Should Care and What They Need to Know - REGISTER NOW
Date: Friday, April 24, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM-12:00 PM
Format: In-person
APT CE Hours: 3 Contact Hours
Cost: $75
Facility name and address: Alexander JFS, 4131 S Braeswood Blvd, Houston, TX 77025
Description: Aaron H. Fink, MD was trained in and practices play therapy. His child psychiatry fellowship included a weekly psychopharmacology seminar, but because the program was so biased against using medications in children, he only wrote 3 prescriptions during the two year program. With a more open view and advances in clinical research, psychopharmacology now plays a prominent role in his treatment of children. The presentation will help play therapists learn what they need to know about child psychopharmacology so they can better help their young patients and collaborate more effectively with psychiatrists.
Objectives:
Participants will be able to describe the value of combining psychotropic medication and play therapy
Participants will be able to describe potential negative impacts of combining psychotropic medication and play therapy
Participants will develop basic knowledge about the psychotropic medications most commonly used in treating children
Terms & 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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