Play Therapy Symposium at Sea

Join us February 22 - March 1, 2026 aboard the Carnival Celebration for a one-of-a-kind play therapy symposium—sailing through St. Thomas, Amber Cove, and Grand Bahama! Earn up to 25 contact (in-person) CE credits!

Click here for information and prices of tickets. Please note, that the symposium cost is nonrefundable. Some funds may be refundable for cabin accommodations through Carnival, until November 24, 2025.

For the full schedule, please click here.

Rejuvenation Training and Consulting is an Association for Play Therapy (APT) Approved Provider 25-762.

Featured Workshops include...

Techniques, Techniques, and More Techniques

Conducted by Kelly James, PhD, LPC, NCC, CCTP, CATP, CPC, RPT-S (retired)

Utilizing Client-Centered Play Therapy, Adlerian Play Therapy, and Theraplay modalities to allow participants to understand and engage in play techniques to address common issues that children, adolescents, and families are currently

experiencing, including trauma, attachment, and impaired family

communications. Earn 3 face-to-face credit hours.

Learner Objectives include:

Gain understanding of how to select a play therapy technique to meet their client’s needs.
Gain understanding of how to facilitate family communication through effective techniques
Gain understanding of how different activities and techniques can establish, or reestablish, attachment.

Kids & Anger: The Not-So Bite-Sized Bully

Conducted by Stephanie Hester, MSW, LSW

Anger is a normal, human emotion; however, kids are often told they “Can’t be angry.” This myth needs to be ‘busted’, as kids should be encouraged to have any of their feelings yet reminded that it is what they do with their feelings that is important. In this workshop, we will explore ways to communicate this to kids, as well as some ways to safely, and creatively, help them let out that anger in a safe space. These are also things that they can do at home and real-life tools that they can return to, to help them in that anger, but also that they can draw from for future experiences. Earn 3 face-to-face credit hours.

Learner Objectives include:

Gain increased competencies in the use of play therapy strategies for treating children who manifest anger outwardly.
Be exposed to at least three Integrative art/play therapy techniques for implementation in clinical practice.
Increase clinical skills specific to the integration of research-supported models of interventions and play therapy practice.

Anchoring Hope: Play Therapy for Climate-Related Trauma in Marginalized Children

Marquitta Garrett, PhD, LPC, RPT-S, NCC, ACS

Integrating climate change awareness and environmental justice into play therapy, this workshop equips clinicians to support marginalized children coping with trauma through culturally responsive interventions. Earn 3 face-to-face credit hours.

Learner Objectives include:

Participants will identify how climate change and environmental injustice create trauma and anxiety in marginalized children, affecting their development and play.
Participants will apply culturally responsive, developmentally appropriate play therapy techniques (e.g. nature-based play, storytelling, expressive arts) to help children process climate-related grief and eco-anxiety.
Participants will develop play therapy interventions that integrate empowerment and advocacy (aligned with ACES climate competencies) to promote resilience and social justice for underserved youth.

It's More than Just Play: Using a Trauma Lens for an Ethical Approach to Play Therapy

Conducted by Julie Oates, M.Ed, LPCC-S, SC

This experiential workshop will provide participants Play Therapy strategies in understanding ethical dilemmas with children who have impacted trauma. Earn 3 face-to-face credit hours.

Learner Objectives include:

Participants will become knowledgeable of ethical factors and impact within the Play Therapy Model.
Participants will utilize ethical dilemma model to understand ethical dilemmas and challenges
Participant will become knowledgeable regarding Association Play Therapy Best Practices and ways to address these in the clinical playroom.

Play Therapy and the Treatment of Eating Disorders

Conducted by Lesha Malone, MA, LPCC, LCDCIII, CCTP, CEDS

Play therapy offers innovative and powerful strategies for individuals who present with disordered eating. This training will explore play therapy theories for this population. Earn 3 face-to-face credit hours.

Participants will be gain increased awareness of eating disordered diagnosis
Participants will gain valuable strategies for play therapy and eating disordered treatment.
Participants will acquire play therapy strategies for working with families who are impacted by an eating disorder diagnosis.
Participants will gain specific suggestions for integrative play therapy approaches with eating disorders.

Roots and Resonance: A Journey Through the History of Play Therapy

Conducted by Dawn Smith Whiteside, MEd, LPC

Discover the origins, evolution, and pioneers of play therapy in this interactive workshop designed to deepen understanding and enrich practice through historical insight. Earn 3 face-to-face credit hours.

Learner Objectives include:

Identify key historical milestones and influential figures in the development of play therapy.
Analyze cultural and theoretical influences on the evolution of play therapy approaches.
Apply historical understanding to current play therapy practices through reflective and experiential activities.

Parents and Children Sailing Together following Trauma Filial Play Therapy

Conducted by Hilda Glazer, EdD, LPC, RPT-S

Filial Play Therapy transforms the therapeutic process into a family-centered journey of growth and healing. Learn how to incorporate it into your practice. Earn 4 face-to-face credit hours.

The attendees will be able to place Filial Therapy in the context of empirically validated therapies for children and families.
The attendees will be able to describe the theoretical orientation of Filial Therapy and discuss how the match or mismatch with their personal theoretical orientation.
The attendees will be able to describe the variations of Filial Therapy.
The attendees will be able to list treatment objectives often used with Filial Therapy
Attendees will be able to list the contents of the Filial Therapy Kit.

Setting Limits: A Child-Centered Approach in Play Therapy

Conducted by Cheri Catron, LPC-S, RPT-S & Dawn Smith Whiteside, MEd, LPC

The course is designed to equip counseling professionals and play therapist, with helpful tools for limit setting within the play environment. Earn 4 face-to-face credit hours.

Learner Objectives include:

Evaluate the purpose of limits and how they enhance our relationship with clients in play therapy.
Identify how to differentiate limit setting according to the child’s development as well as cognitive and physical abilities within the play environment
Differentiate between child-centered limited setting and current behavior modification and discipline models within play therapy practice
Demonstrate setting limits in play therapy without shaming a child, which will result in more effective communication.
Regulate their own emotional responses to aggressive or dysregulated play, maintaining a calm, therapeutic presence.
Apply evidence-based de-escalation strategies to safely diffuse heightened behaviors in the playroom.