Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Conscious Language, Play and Interactions in Play Spaces – Exploring Messaging, Microaggressions, and Managing Bias in Play Therapy

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Conscious Language, Play and Interactions in Play Spaces – Exploring Messaging, Microaggressions, and Managing Bias in Play Therapy
Presented by: Melanie Davis, LCMHC, founder of PLAE Therapy
April, 14, 2023
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
181 East 5600 South, Murray, UT 84123 – or online

We are doing both online and in-person options. Please note the CE options below.

For those attending live – 3 Direct Contact CE’s from APT* – Participant may choose to apply this training toward requirement for the RPT (TM) credential: Play Therapy Ethics, Play Therapy Special Topics, or Applicant’s Choice

For those attending online – 3  CE’s from APT* – Participant may choose to apply this training toward requirement for the RPT (TM) credential: Play Therapy Ethics, Play Therapy Special Topics, or Applicant’s Choice

Description:
This workshop is designed to offer a foundational understanding of bias, microaggressions, and the impact language and interactions have within play therapy setting. Participants should leave with a clear understanding of bias, to include reflection surrounding how to identify personal bias. In addition participants should leave with a clear understanding of microaggressions. Clients will explore hands-on the ideas of varying narratives and perspectives and how to connect with clients in play therapy settings who may have differing views, background and cultural practices from them as their provider. 

Objectives:

Gain a clear understanding of the meaning of microaggressions and how they can present in a play therapy environment.
Gain an understanding of the relationship between microaggressions and creating a safe and productive play therapy environment for children of color.
Gain a clear understanding of the meaning of bias and how it can present in a play therapy environment.
 Gain an understanding of the relationship to bias and creating a safe and productive play therapy environment for children of color.
Gain an understanding of how to continuously self-evaluate for potential bias in the course of play therapy and your clinical environment.
Learn tools to assess your play space for inclusivity
Explore ongoing methods to engage clients’ lived experiences in a play therapy setting. 

Hourly Breakdown:

●  9:00 -10:00 AM Exploring Growth-mindset and Bias

●  10:00-10:30 AM Expressive Arts exploring Bias. Intervention and reflection

●  10:30 -:10:45 Break

●  10:45 – 11:30 Exploring Microaggressions and Language

●  11:30 -11:45 PM – Intervention and reflection

●  11:45 -12:00 PM – Questions and Answers 

Registration Fee:

UAPT Members $50.00

Non-UAPT $75.00

Students $50.00

About Melanie:

Melanie D. Davis has dedicated her nearly decade-long career as a licensed clinical mental health counselor to creating opportunities for individuals of varying ages and backgrounds to feel seen and heard. From her work as the owner of Planted Healing Mental Health Practice, to co-founding both Continuum Mind + Body Collaborative . Melanie’s passion for helping individuals develop deeper connections with themselves and others is at the center of her work. 

Melanie earned her undergraduate degree in Sociology from the University of Utah and her Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Phoenix. To add, she’s completed advanced training in Nutritional Psychology through John F. Kennedy University in Pleasant Hill, CA. Her creative therapeutic interventions have been published in Attachment Centered Play Therapy, Play Therapy: Proven Strategies for Childhood Disorder, one of the numbers of publications that boast her achievements. 

Melanie has cultivated intentional connections through her work within varying clinical settings as a child and family therapist and as a highly regarded psychotherapist, speaker and educator. She frequently appears on local media as a child advocate and as an expert on family issues, cultural topics, and transracial adoption-related topics. The latter hits particularly close to home, as she is an adoptee from a transracial family. 

Melanie experienced firsthand the effects of solid connections and their correlation to the acceptance of her unique path. The elevated play space that she’s created is an extension of that journey, her passion, and her knowledge. It all comes together to create an accepting environment and one-of-a-kind experience: PLAE.  

“When I think of PLAE Children’s mental health space and community, the images that come to mind are families that just need to be elevated, supported and connected. Helping families to feel capable and like they have the tools they need to fully thrive and support their children with attaining optimal mental health.” 

contact utahplaytherapy@gmail.com for more info 

APT approved provider #98-036 

Cancellation Policy: UAPT does not offer refunds for live or recorded webinars.