Pilina in

the Playroom

PAST EVENT: A 5-Day Hawaiian Play Therapy Retreat

WE CAN PLAN ANOTHER RETREAT LIKE THIS ONE!

THIS EVENT ENDED
July 29-August 2, 2019
Laie, Hawaii
BUT WE CAN PLAN IT AGAIN 😉

Pilina in the Playroom: Neurobiology and Attachment in Play Therapy is a 5- Day Play Therapy Retreat held on the peaceful North Shores on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. At a relaxed island pace, the theories of attachment and neurobiology come together as Lisa Dion, LPS, RPTS and Clair Mellenthin, LCSW, RPTS present on how to develop connection to self, others, and communities. You will learn how to create an authentic attachment to yourself which becomes a powerful tool in the play therapy room with our clients young and old. By developing play-based regulation and co-regulation strategies for use in the playroom, we can encourage and foster stronger connections in the families we work with. You will discover how attachment theory can guide your play therapy practice and how to encourage and develop deeper attachment relationships between you, your child clients, and their caregivers.

Participants will spend five days learning new and innovative play therapy techniques including hands on experiential activities, guided imagery, regulation strategies, sand tray interventions, and expressive arts in a gorgeous setting with plenty of time for self-care, rest, and rejuvenation built into the program. We will be spending an entire afternoon doing Sandtray ON THE BEACH learning attachment centered Sandtray interventions! You will leave with a creative toolbox of tips, techniques, and a clear understanding of how attachment styles impact relationships and the confidence and competence needed to make a difference in the lives of many.

Each day has been carefully planned to allow time for self-reflection, learning, case studies, and hands on experiential learning. You will be treated with 22 hours of play therapy education and come home with a toolbox of play therapy interventions. Most importantly, you will leave this beautiful island retreat rejuvenated and ready to jump back into practice, feeling confident and competent in the knowledge you have gained.

Why You Should Come

HOST THIS RETREAT!

"

Being a play therapist is hard work and we need each other. This retreat is an experience that I believe we all deserve and need. It is about learning in community in a way that allows us to go deeper, make new friends, receive some much needed care and discover that we are not alone on the journey. And one of the best parts is that families are welcome, because they are important too. The bottom line is that I love play therapists and I am beyond honored to be a part of this experience.”

Lisa Dion
Instructor, LPC, RPT-S

"

Our goal is to create an experience where you deepen your understanding of how integral the brain, heart, and soul of a person are and how this can either hinder or strengthen the ability to form a secure attachment to others. We hope throughout this retreat you will develop personal connections with the presenters and the other participants in a way that deepens your learning. At the end of the retreat, you will leave feeling confident and competent in your play therapy practice, as well as feeling more connected to your purpose as a person and as a clinician.

Clair Mellenthin
Instructor, LCSW, RPT-S

"

My vision for this conference is for you to start to do the things you always thought were out of reach for you. This event combines all of my passions: creating a vision of your best self, having unforgettable experiences with your loved ones, and getting play therapy training that will serve you throughout your entire career.

Jen Taylor
Host LCSW, RPT-S

WE CAN PLAN A RETREAT LIKE THIS ONE!

All The Important Details

Program Description

Pilina in the Playroom: Neurobiology and Attachment in Play Therapy (22 Contact Hours)

Pilina in the Playroom: A 5 Day Play Therapy Retreat on Neurobiology and Attachment in Play Therapy is a 5- Day Play Therapy Retreat held on the peaceful North Shores on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. At a relaxed island pace, the theories of attachment and neurobiology come together as Lisa Dion, LPS, RPTS and Clair Mellenthin, LCSW, RPTS present on how to develop connection to self, others, and communities. You will learn how to create an authentic attachment to yourself which becomes a powerful tool in the play therapy room with our clients young and old. By developing play-based regulation and co-regulation strategies for use in the playroom, we can encourage and foster stronger connections in the families we work with. You will discover how attachment theory can guide your play therapy practice and how to encourage and develop deeper attachment relationships between you, your child clients, and their caregivers.

Learning Objectives

Analyze the connection between a child’s symptoms and their states of nervous system activation in play therapy sessions.
Explain the four primary threats of the brain and how to use this information to create a neuroception of safety in play therapy sessions.
Determine the three primary nervous system patterns that get activated during challenging play.
Analyze the components of regulation and how to develop it within a child during play therapy sessions.
Conceptualize what it means to become the external regulator in a play therapy session to help children be able to attach to themselves and others.
Determine what interoception is and how to cultivate it in the play therapy session to help both the child and therapist develop a deeper awareness of themselves.
Analyze how “shoulds” interfere with being able to attach to self and other and the implications for this in a play therapy session.
*Identify at least 3 obstacles/challenges that prevent them from staying connected to themselves in the playroom and becoming the child’s external regulator.
Implement two different play therapy treatment strategies, once attachment style has been ascertained, based on your client’s attachment style.
Utilize mindfulness practices to address negative self-talk and move clients towards a positive sense of self in play therapy.
Employ play therapy based mindfulness practices to address self-regulation and co-regulation between parent and child to repair and build emotional safety.
Analyze various family systems through the lens of attachment theory to strengthen clinical assessment skills.
Practice Sand tray interventions to assess for attachment injuries.
Analyze attachment theory as it applies to play therapy to provide integrated therapeutic treatment.
Conceptualize attachment patterns that impact parent-child relationships to further advance your clinical play therapy practice.
Implement play therapy interventions to foster engagement with parents in family play therapy in order to repair, and enhance the parent-child relationship.

Evaluate the four key concepts of attachment theory and how these concepts apply to attachment centered play therapy.
Determine the developmental stages of attachment needs and behaviors to identify maladaptive responses in children and families.
Compare various attachment play centered interventions for use with insecurely attached families.
Differentiate between verbal and nonverbal processing in attachment and trauma-based play therapy.
Practice attachment centered engagement strategies for use with distressed family systems in play therapy.
Analyze how to work with fears that arise in the playroom

**Presenters reserve the right to make minor changes to the wording of the objectives, without changing the substantive goals of the training.

Schedule Overview

Sunday, July 28, 2019 : Arrival Day

Aloha Reception 7:00pm

After arriving at the Honolulu airport, you will make your way to the North Shore and check into your hotel. After settling in, join us at the patio for an Aloha Reception (and conference registration). Meet Jen, Lisa and Clair and get your agenda for the week. This is a perfect time to finalize your family plans for the week during your off time and get introduced to your fellow participants. **(no APT/NBCC credits on this date).

Monday, July 29, 2019 : Program Begins DAY 1

8:30am - 12:30pm Play Therapy Instruction Begins with Clair Mellenithin, LCSW, RPT-S & Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S (4 APT/NBCC credits)

12:30pm-6:00pm FREE TIME (on your own)

6:00pm - 8:00pm BONUS PRACTICE BUILDING EVENT: Fireside Chat with Jen Taylor, LCSW, RPT-S

(fireside chat is included in registration fee, but not for APT/NBCC credits).

Tuesday, July 30, 2019: DAY 2

8:30am - 12:30 pm Play Therapy Instruction with Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S (4 APT/NBCC credits)

12:30pm-4:00pm FREE TIME (on your own)

4:00pm-6:00pm Play Therapy Instruction with Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S (2 APT/NBCC credits)

Wednesday, July 31, 2019: DAY 3

8:00am - 11:00 am Play Therapy Instruction with Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S (3 APT/NBCC credits)

11:00am and on: *Group CONNECTION excursion to the Polynesian Cultural Center

(*Admission, dinner luau, and dinner show at the Polynesian Cultural Center for participant included in admission. Additional tickets for family members available for purchase. Event is within walking distance of hotel. This event is not for APT/NBCC credit).

Thursday, August 1, 2019: Day 4

8:00am-1:00pm FREE TIME (on your own)

1:00 - 5:00 pm Play Therapy Instruction with Clair Mellenthin, LCSW, RPT-S (4 APT/NBCC credit)

5:00pm -7:00pm FREE TIME (on your own)

7:00pm - 9:00 pm BONUS PRACTICE BUILDING EVENT: Fireside Chat with Jen Taylor, LCSW, RPT-S

(fireside chat included in registration, not for CE credits)

Friday, August 2, 2019 - Day 5

8:00am- 1:00pm FREE TIME (on your own)

1:00pm - 4:00pm Play Therapy Instruction with Clair Mellenthin, LCSW, RPT-S (3 APT/NBCC credit)

4:00pm - 6:00pm Play Therapy Instruction with Clair Mellenthin, LCSW, RPT-S & Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S (2 APT/NBCC credit)

7:00pm-9:00pm Pilina Party (Ending of program...details to be announced. Not for play therapy credit).

22 Total APT/NBCC Credits

Participant must register for and be present for the entire program. No partial credit will be given. This is a live, in person event. No APT/NBCC credits awarded for fireside chats provided by Jen Taylor or for included group excursion.

Saturday, August 3, 2019 Departure Day

Check out of your hotel or extend your stay on your own.

Detailed Program Agenda

Sunday, July 28, 2019 : Arrival Day

Aloha Reception 7:00pm

Monday, July 29, 2019 : Program Begins DAY 1

8:30am - 9:30am Welcome Activity with Clair, Lisa and Jen
Play Therapy Instruction Begins with Clair Mellenthin, LCSW, RPT-S (1 hr)

What are you Bringing with you? Expressive arts intervention

Get oriented to the program by participating in an attachment based expressive arts activity that is used to help participants get to know each other, but can also be used in distressed family systems within play therapy sessions.

Practice attachment centered engagement strategies for use with distressed family systems in play therapy

9:30am -12:30pm
Play Therapy Instruction with Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S (3hrs)

The Inner Building Blocks of Attachment: The Brain and Nervous System in Play Therapy

Learning how to understand a child’s symptoms and your own through the lense of neuroscience and nervous system states is a key component in being able to identify patterns in the playroom and understand what is in the way of being able to develop a secure attachment with self and other.

Analyze the connection between a child’s symptoms and their states of nervous system activation in play therapy sessions.
Explain the four primary threats of the brain and how to use this information to create a neuroception of safety in play therapy sessions.
Determine the three primary nervous system patterns that get activated during challenging play.

12:30pm-6:00pm
FREE TIME (on your own)

6:00pm - 8:00pm
BONUS PRACTICE BUILDING EVENT: Fireside Chat with Jen Taylor, LCSW, RPT-S

Stepping Into Your Brilliance

Let’s GO BIG! Join Jen Taylor at this fireside chat and get an updated professional headshot (optional)! Begin identifying the best and most brilliant version of yourself by putting Lisa’s lessons into a plan for your professional practice. Explore your personal and professional vision and begin to map out a plan for the next 3 months to become your own biggest cheerleader. Nothing big comes from being small in your own life!
(Fireside chat is included in registration fee, but not for APT/NBCC credits).

Tuesday, July 30, 2019: DAY 2

8:30am - 12:30 pm
Play Therapy Instruction with Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S (4 hours)

Attaching to Self in the Playroom: What Regulation is and isn’t?

Before a child can begin the journey of learning how to safely attach to other, they must first learn how to attach to themselves. This requires the help of an external regulator as the child learns about their own inner landscape and how to navigate the highs and lows of their own activation.

Analyze the components of regulation and how to develop it within a child during play therapy sessions.
Conceptualize what it means to become the external regulator in a play therapy session to help children be able to attach to themselves and others.
Determine what interoception is and how to cultivate it in the play therapy session to help both the child and therapist develop a deeper awareness of themselves.

12:30pm-4:00pm
FREE TIME (on your own)

4:00pm-6:00pm
Play Therapy Instruction with Clair Mellenthin, LCSW, RPT-S (2 hours)

Building Bridges of Connection in the Playroom

Explore what roadblocks may be stopping you from maximizing attachments with your play therapy clients and how through the use of self can enhance your clinical work

Implement two different treatment strategies, once attachment style has been ascertained, based on your client’s attachment style.
Utilize mindfulness practices to address negative self-talk and move clients towards a positive sense of self.
Employ mindfulness practices to address self-regulation and co-regulation between parent and child to repair and build emotional safety

Wednesday, July 31, 2019: DAY 3

8:00am - 11:00 am
Play Therapy Instruction with Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S (3 hours)

What is in the Way of Attaching to Self in Play Therapy?

On the journey towards learning how to attach to self and other, we are often blocked by our beliefs, fears, and internal dialogue. This can prevent us from being able to attune to our clients and fully allow them to be themselves.

Analyze how “shoulds” interfere with being able to attach to self and other and the implications for this in a play therapy session.
*Identify at least 3 obstacles/challenges that prevent them from staying connected to themselves in the playroom and becoming the child’s external regulator.
Analyze how to work with fears that arise in the playroom

10:00am and on: *Group CONNECTION excursion to the Polynesian Cultural Center

Thursday, August 1, 2019: Day 4

8:00am-1:00pm
FREE TIME (on your own)

1:00 - 5:00 pm
Play Therapy Instruction with Clair Mellenthin, LCSW, RPT-S (4 hours)

Incorporating Sandtray Principles into Play Therapy Practice
(training to take place on the beach, weather permitting)

Explore attachment patterns within family relationships, how these relationships impact mood, behavior, and connection with others, as well as different attachment centered sandtray interventions to use in your practice.

Analyze various family systems through the lens of attachment theory to strengthen clinical assessment skills.
Practice Sand tray interventions to assess for attachment injuries.
Analyze attachment theory as it applies to play therapy to provide integrated therapeutic treatment.

5:00pm -7:00pm
FREE TIME (on your own)

7:00pm - 9:00 pm
BONUS PRACTICE BUILDING EVENT: Fireside Chat with Jen Taylor, LCSW, RPT-S

When (and How) to Say No.

Join Jen Taylor at our second fireside chat as we talk about boundaries in your professional life. How can you take the lessons learned this week about self-care and relationships back to the “real world?” Tonight, we discuss and practice where you can say NO with confidence to make room for the things that bring you the greatest joy.
(Fireside chat is included in registration fee, but not for APT/NBCC credits).

Friday, August 2, 2019 - Day 5

8:00am- 1:00pm
FREE TIME (on your own)

1:00pm - 4:00pm
Play Therapy Instruction with Clair Mellenthin, LCSW, RPT-S (3 hours)

Forming connections through Attachment Centered Play Therapy

Understanding how to utilize an attachment orientated assessment for use with children and families is a critical component to play therapy that is often overlooked. Without understanding the dynamics of the family system, we may be missing the whole picture when working with children and teens. During this workshop, we will dive into assessment, inviting parents to join in the play therapy process, and begin repairing and treating attachment injuries.

Analyze various family systems through the lens of attachment theory to strengthen clinical assessment skills.
Conceptualize attachment patterns that impact parent-child relationships to further advance your clinical practice.
Implement play therapy interventions to foster engagement with parents in family play therapy in order to repair, and enhance the parent-child relationship.

4:00pm - 6:00pm
Play Therapy Instruction with Clair Mellenthin, LCSW, RPT-S & Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S (2 hours)

What are you taking with you?

The program ends with an expressive arts intervention that serves as an ending point for the experience and models a termination activity that can be used in play therapy sessions with families.

Practice attachment centered engagement strategies for use with distressed family systems in play therapy

7:00pm-9:00pm
Pilina Party (Ending of program...details to be announced. Not for play therapy credit).

22 Total APT/NBCC Credits

Target Audience

Instructor: Clair Mellenthin, LCSW, RPT-S

Instructor: Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S

Host: Jen Taylor, LCSW, RPT-S

Bonus Activities Included in Registration

The following bonus opportunities for connection are included in your registration fees; however, are not available for APT/NBCC credit hours.

FIRESIDE CHATS:

Enjoy two nights of focused collaboration and networking with your colleagues about the business side of your professional development.

MONDAY 7/29/19 7pm (At the hotel fire pit)

Let’s GO BIG! Begin identifying the best and most brilliant version of yourself by putting Lisa’s lessons into a plan for your professional practice. Explore your personal and professional vision and begin to map out a plan for the next 3 months to become your own biggest cheerleader. Nothing big comes from being small in your own life!

Thursday 8/1/19 (At the hotel fire pit)

Description: When (and How) to Say No. Join Jen Taylor at our second fireside chat as we talk about boundaries in your professional life. How can you take the lessons learned this week about self-care and relationships back to the “real world?” Tonight, we discuss and practice where you can say NO with confidence to make room for the things that bring you the greatest joy.

GROUP EXCURSION:

Enjoy a day of cultural exploration at the Polynesian Cultural Center (located within walking distance of hotel). Explore freely and then meet the group for dinner and show.

WEDNESDAY 8/1/19 7pm (At the hotel fire pit)

Enjoy an afternoon with your family immersing yourself in the culture of all of the Polynesian Islands . Stay for the evening as your trip to Hawaii is not complete without a traditional Hawaiian luau (participant luau included in registration fee) and optional Breath of Life show. The Breath Of Life show.

Additional Guests and Info

If you are bringing guests with you, additional tickets for this experience may be added during registration. Tickets may be purchased after registration; however, it is not guaranteed that your party will be seated with our group. This event is included in registration regardless of your attendance. However, all participants are strongly encouraged to "talk story" with Jen, Lisa, and Clair and partake on this cultural experience.

Pilina In The Playroom: Hawaiian Play Therapy Retreat