Resistance in Play Therapy: Engaging Children and Teens in the Therapeutic Process
Friday February 27 2026 9:00 am – 12:00 pm CST
Description
Sometimes in the playroom, the toys stay on the shelf, it can be so quiet you can hear a pin drop, or the door to the client’s thoughts and feelings is just a little harder to open. This dynamic, playfully serious training invites play therapists to reframe resistance—not as defiance or disinterest, but as meaningful communication and a doorway to deeper connection.
Participants will learn to recognize how resistance shows up in play therapy with children and teens and explore the essential elements of the therapeutic relationship that help soften defenses and invite engagement. We will examine practical ways to collaborate with parents as allies in the therapeutic process, reducing power struggles and supporting consistency across the child’s home and our own playrooms.
Through discussion and applied examples, therapists will also identify concrete, play-based interventions that spark curiosity, choice, and connection—while learning how to intentionally foster resilience in children and adolescents who push back, shut down, or test limits. Grounded in attachment, child development, and neuroscience, this training emphasizes meeting resistance with respect, creativity, and courage.
This course offers a fresh perspective on resistance—helping therapists transform moments of struggle into opportunities for trust, growth, and empowered play.
Objectives
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Identify what resistance looks like in play therapy
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Discuss the key elements of the therapeutic relationship to unlock resistance
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Explore ways to collaborate with parents to alleviate resistance in the therapeutic process
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Identify three interventions to engage children and teens in play therapy
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Explain three ways to foster resilience in resistant children and teens in the play therapy process
This workshop is non-contact, and synchronous. Attendees must be present in the training in its entirety, with camera on, complete the training evaluation and a post-test to be eligible for the CE Certificate.
All trainings require at least a Master’s Degree in a Counseling, Marriage and Family Therapy, Social Work or related field, and completion of EMDR Basic Training (for EMDRIA Approved Advanced Workshops). Graduate Students may enroll in the training, and understand that continued education credit cannot be provided to individuals who do not hold proper credentials.
Play Therapy credit is available to licensed mental health professionals and graduate students in a mental health program.
Teresa Paterson Bartch, LLC and ThriveBright Professional Trainings and Consultation only assumes the responsibility for the registration part of the event. All other costs are the responsibility of the registrant, unless otherwise stated.
This workshop and presenter have no conflict of interest in this workshop, nor is there any commercial or financial support, or any affiliate agreements.
Obtaining CE Credit
Attendees must attend the training in its entirety, with camera on (for non-contact attendance), complete the training evaluation and a post-test (for non-contact attendance) to be eligible for the CE Certificate. Certificates of attendance will be emailed within 7 business days of the completion of the training and receipt of the evaluation and a passing score on the post-test (80% or higher), if applicable.
Workshop Cancellation and Refund Policy
Non-Refundable Fees: $40.00 Administrative Fee is included in your registration fee for each event.
Cancellation requests must be received no later than seven (7) days prior to the date of the event.
Cancellations received at least seven days prior to the event will receive a refund, less the $40.00 administrative fee. Cancellations received within seven days, no shows, or requests after the event will not receive a refund or credit toward future events.
ThriveBright Trainings and Consultation reserves the right to cancel any training, workshops or courses that receive fewer than five (5) registrants within two weeks of the scheduled event and may be rescheduled to a later date. Those who are registered will be notified of the cancellation and rescheduling in a timely manner and will be offered either a refund or a credit toward a future training, workshop or course. If ThriveBright cancels the training, workshop or course for any other reason, you will receive a full refund, or credit toward a future event (including administrative fee).
No partial credit will be given for any training, workshop or course. You must attend the event in its entirety to receive continued education credits. For live webinars, you must have your camera on at all times to receive credit for attendance.
No exceptions will be made to the cancellation or refund policy.
Questions or concerns, including requesting any special needs or accommodations, should be addressed to [email protected].
Grievance Policy
ThriveBright is fully committed to comply with all legal and ethical standards, including non-discrimination, in all of its activities: Marketing, content and treatment of its attendees and trainers.
We do understand that although we are intent on delivering our trainings, workshops and courses in a fair manner, conflict and complaints will arise. In the event that this would happen, ThriveBright will attempt to alleviate the issue as quickly and equitably as possible.
All grievances regarding trainers, content, delivery of material or the training facilities should be addressed by sending a confidential email to [email protected]. Our representative will attentively attempt to address concerns in a timely manner.
ThriveBright Professional Trainings and Consultation is an APT Approved Provider 22-670.
Embark Counseling Services, LLC (ThriveBright) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7305. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. ThriveBright Professional Trainings and Consultation is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
