Updated (twice in 2023!) There are now FIVE TEDx Talks that have been given by PLAY THERAPISTS as of today. This post was updated to add the new talk given by Liliana Baylon in 2023. And then updated again in 2023 to add the first ever Sand Tray talk given by Tammi van Hollander.
Bookmark this post so that you can find them anytime you need to reference them.
*There are several play therapists that have applied and if they are accepted, then I will add them to this post. (GOOD LUCK, btw!).
Who would you like to see next?
#1: The Curative Touch of a Magic Rainbow Hug
Dr. Janet Courtney
TEDx Delray Beach September 20, 2013
Dr. Janet Courtney was a pioneer for the play therapy field with her TEDx talk in 2013. She is the creator of FirstPlay Therapy and the author of many publications on topics related to the ethics of touch, infant mental health, nature and play and expressive arts.
This is the description from her talk:
Janet Courtney has invented a new process of kinesthetic storytelling, merging imagery relaxation skills with joyful first-play touch activities. Her interactive storybook, The Magic Rainbow Hug makes this technique directly accessible to professionals, parents, and the children who can most benefit from it's use. ~ Dr. Janet Courtney, TEDx Delray Beach (Sep 20, 2013)
#2: Play is the Child’s Language: Play Therapy
Joanne Wicks
TEDx Darwin September 28, 2016
Joanne Wicks is an Australian Registered Play Therapist (AAPT-RPT) and a Registered Counsellor who is an Associate Lecturer at Charles Darwin University, School of Psychological and Clinical Science where she is a Unit-Coordinator of three post graduate courses in Play Therapy.
This is the description for her talk:
All behaviour is communication and children are often unable to verbalise their experiences and strong emotions in the same way that they can express them through play. Learning how to speak their language, the language of play can provide access into a child’s world which is often left silent. ~ Joanne Wicks, TEDxDarwin (September 28, 2016)
#3: Trauma & Play Therapy: Holding Hard Stories
Paris Goodyear-Brown, MSSW, LCSW, RPT-S
TEDx Nashville June 14, 2021
Paris Goodyear-Brown, LCSW, RPT-S, is a child trauma expert and a professional player with 23 years of experience in helping traumatized children and their families heal. She is the founder and Clinical Director of Nurture House, serves the Association for Play Therapy in several roles, is a sought-after international speaker and a prolific author.
This is the description of her talk:
How do children heal from trauma? Play therapy and trauma expert, Paris Goodyear-Brown, takes us on a journey through the stories of children from hard places, the neuroscience of play, and the importance of each of us in bearing witness to the hurt. Graphic images may evoke strong emotions but will reveal the amazing ability of children to tell us what happened and play their way to healing. ~ Paris Goodyear-Brown, TEDx Nashville, June 14, 2021
#4: Being Understood as an Immigrant
Liliana Baylon, LMFT, RPT-S
Tedx Breckinridge February 1, 2023
Liliana Baylon is a bilingual (English/Spanish) and bicultural therapist with a master’s degree in Counseling & Marriage, Family, & Child Therapy from the University of Phoenix. Liliana brings a unique cultural lens into her therapy sessions and supervision as she primarily treats LatinX while providing therapy and supervision in English, and Spanish
This is the description of her talk:
In this talk, Liliana Baylon shares the immigrant experience—exploring trauma response, the role of children as “cultural brokers,” and the nervous system response. She invites viewers to become curious about understanding the experience and challenges of immigrants, how to support them in resettlement to a new country and what it means for their identity and their internal/external sense of safety.
#5: Stories in the Sand: Healing Trauma, Anxiety, and Grief
Tammi van Hollander, LCSW, RPT-S
Tedx Cape May, NJ October 15, 2023
Tammi van Hollander LCSW, RPT-S is an international speaker, teacher and author of several books. She is the owner of Main Line Play Therapy and has more than 25 years of experience working with children and families. Additionally, she is as a founding board member of The World Association for Sand Therapy Professionals (WASTP).
This is the description of her talk:
In this talk, Tammi van Hollander talk about how there are many people suffering today from trauma, grief, and anxiety. Mental health is at a crisis point. But words do not always reach the deep places where hurt can live. In this talk, clinical social worker and play therapist Tammi Van Hollander introduces an expressive approach that flies under the radar that can reach those places that words do not. It’s called sandtray therapy. Be open. Be intrigued. Be playful
Again, if there is one that I missed, be sure to email me so that I can update this and feel free to use this post as a reference in the future.
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