Introduction to Child-Centered Documentation

This module explores the foundational theories to the Child-Centered Documentation framework. Understanding the Person-Centered theory and how change occurs in a person in therapy setting will help explain the CCD framework. 

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize the primary challenges in documenting play therapy
• Understand the core conflict between CCPT theory and medical model requirement
• Understand the theoretical foundations of CCD (person-centered theory)
• Understand the two-lane approach to documentation in CCD

Treatment Planning and Case Conceptualization in Child-Centered Play Therapy

Treatment planning is antithetical to the person-centered philosophy, which discourages focusing on the problem. This can lead to a disconnect between what is required in most clinical settings, namely, long-term goals and short-term objectives, and the therapist’s way of being in the playroom. This training teaches participants to conceptualize treatment planning in a way that supports this need for measurable objectives based on managed care, while making space for clinicians to continue to focus on their own theory of change based on the person-centered philosophy.

Learning Objectives: 

• Identify the key reasons for treatment planning for play therapists 
• Describe the primary theory of personality and theory of change behind Child-Centered Play Therapy 
• Demonstrate an understanding of case conceptualization in play therapy including measurable objectives and the theory of change 
• Apply principles to create treatment plans that are quantifiable, allow for the way of being in the playroom, and emphasize CCPT theory

Assessing Progress in Child-Centered Play Therapy

This module provides an overview of existing methods for assessing progress in play therapy including themes, stages, and caregiver feedback. Most importantly, the training will introduce the importance of tracking progress towards incremental changes in play and provide a framework for doing so. Learning how to assess progress in play therapy can help clinicians build the language for communicating how change occurs in CCPT and ultimately be able to help caregivers understand this process of change.

Learning Objectives: 

• Identify at least 3 common themes in play therapy 
• Identify the stages of play therapy
• Demonstrate an understanding of assessing progress towards internal growth and integration in play therapy by being able to name at least one example
• Demonstrate an ability to translate progress examples from play therapy to parents in a way that speaks to growth while maintaining confidentiality

Progress Notes in Child-Centered Play Therapy

Documentation is a source of anxiety for many Child-Centered Play Therapists. Despite the prevalence and the need for  progress notes, many play therapists received very little training on how to complete progress notes. This training will review basic requirements for clinical notes, review types of note formats, practice using objective language, and track progress towards goals and objectives.

Learning Objectives: 

• Identify the key components of a play therapy progress note as emphasized by APT Best Practices
• Analyze progress notes to identify descriptive language versus interpretive language in a play therapy progress note  
• Demonstrate ability to synthesize play and changes in play into language for a play therapy progress note

Building Bridges: Caregiver Involvement in Child-Centered Play Therapy

Working with caregivers is one of the most challenging parts of a child therapist’s job. This workshop aims to demystify the process of working with caregivers alongside child clients in Child–Centered Play Therapy. Using the Child-Centered Documentation framework, we will explore case examples of working with caregivers alongside child clients, to identify the caregiver’s needs, work towards parenting goals in caregiver consults and increase caregiver buy-in by learning new tools for explaining how change occurs.

Learning Objectives:

• Apply the CCD framework of treatment planning and case conceptualization to working with caregivers alongside child clients in child-centered play therapy
• Describe common challenges in working with caregivers and learn ways to address these issues
• Explain how progress in play therapy will address the caregiver’s behavioral concerns