IN PERSON: AutPlay® Therapy Training

[12 APT or NBCC Credit Hours]

Use code "EARLYBIRD21" for $50 off until Mar 20, 2023

CE Credit will not be awarded to those who are not mental health professionals. Completed evaluation will be required for credit for all participants.

PRESENTED BY:

Robert Jason Grant Ed.D, LPC, RPT-S

Due to the presenter's credentials, this training will be conducted under the ACA Code of Ethics.

DESCRIPTION:

This is an intensive training that focuses on teaching the AutPlay Therapy protocol, an integrative family

play therapy framework for working with autistic children and adolescents, neurodivergent children, and

children with developmental disabilities and their families. AutPlay Therapy emphasizes a neurodiversity

affirming and informed approach and harnesses the therapeutic powers of play to help address mental

health issues for neurodivergent children and their families. This training presents an overview of

autistic and neurodivergent children. How to build relationship and assess for needs (utilizing several

AutPlay inventories) for target goal areas is covered along with parent and child co-change agent

processes. Goal areas of connection, regulation, and social navigation are described with example play

therapy interventions for each area. The three progressive phases are presented (intake and

assessment, structured play interventions, and termination).

Parent/family/child involvement is explained with protocol for working with parents and children as

partners in the process. The AutPlay Therapy Follow Me Approach is explained which details how to

work with children with little to no engagement and attunement ability creating special play times to

improve connection and relationship development. Additional components such as theoretical

underpinnings, understanding dysregulation, improving regulation ability, research, and case examples

are covered. Several play therapy interventions are explained and demonstrated through session video

clips. Experiential activities are presented, and case conceptualization and planning are discussed.

Once you have registered for the training, you will be emailed a pre-training form with a few instructions

before your two-day in-person training. This includes instructions for purchasing and reading the book

The AutPlay Therapy Handbook: Integrative Family Play Therapy with Neurodivergent Children by Robert

Jason Grant and watching two recorded webinars prior to your training.

OBJECTIVES:

1) Explain neurodiversity and implementing a neurodiversity affirming approach.

2) Describe the components of AutPlay Therapy including conducting an AutPlay Therapy session,

theoretical underpinnings, phases of therapy, assessment and screening instruments, and goal planning.

3) Describe common mental health goals addressed in AutPlay Therapy.

4) Identify several structured play therapy interventions to use for addressing goals.

5) Discuss how to involve parents and other family members as co-change agents (partners).

6) Describe the AutPlay model of dysregulation

7) Identify play therapy interventions to address dysregulation issues.

8) Implement the AutPlay Follow Me Approach, designed for children with higher needs.

9) Describe how to work with parents in implementing AutPlay Follow Me play times at home.

10) Explain research and evidence-based practices in AutPlay Therapy.

11) Outline the theoretical underpinnings of AutPlay, including seminal play therapy theories and other

integrated methods.

12) Identify at least 6 AutPlay interventions to increase experiential knowledge.

PRESENTER BIO:

Dr. Robert Jason Grant received his Doctorate Degree in Educational Leadership (with a research

emphasis in leadership qualities of counseling center and clinic directors), his Master’s Degree in

Counseling, and his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National

Certified Counselor, and a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. He specializes in working with children,

adolescents, families, and adults primarily serving neurodivergent individuals (autism, ADHD, sensory

differences, learning disorders, and developmental disabilities). Dr. Grant is the creator of AutPlay®

Therapy, an integrative family play therapy framework designed to help address the mental health

needs of neurodivergent children and adolescents. He is also trauma informed and trained and utilize

EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).

Dr. Grant is a supervisor, consultant, and life coach and utilizes several years of advanced training and

his own lived neurodivergent experience to provide affirming services to children and their families. He

has infused his experience and love for education and mental health care to create training programs for

professionals and caregivers. He is an international trainer and keynote presenter having presented for

the American Counseling Association, Association for Play Therapy, American Mental Health Counselors

Association, and The World Autism Congress. He is also a multi-published author of several articles,

book chapters, and books including the following titles:

The AutPlay® Therapy Handbook: Integrative Family Play Therapy with Neurodivergent Children

Understanding Sensory Differences: A Neurodiversity Affirming Guidebook for Children and Teens

Understanding Autism: A Neurodiversity Affirming Guidebook for Children and Teens

Understanding ADHD: A Neurodiversity Affirming Guidebook for Children and Teens

Implementing Play Therapy with Groups: Contemporary Issues in Practice

Play Therapy Theories and Perspectives: Diversity of Thought in the Field

In 2015, Dr. Grant was awarded Play Therapist of the Year by the Missouri Association for Play Therapy.

In 2017, He was presented with the APT Service Award by the National Association for Play Therapy. 

He is currently serving as past chair on the board of directors for the Association for Play Therapy and he is

a board member for the Digital Play Therapy program. Dr. Grant also a part time instructor in the Play

Therapy Certificate program at Mid America Nazarene University (MNU).

IMPORTANT POLICIES:

Workshop Withdrawal:

Withdrawal requests should be submitted by email to training@watersedgecounselingnwa.com no later than 7 calendar days prior to the  scheduled workshop date in order to receive a full refund of the paid workshop fee.  Withdrawal requests that are submitted after 7 calendar days prior to the scheduled workshop date will result in a refund of the paid workshop fee minus a $50  administrative fee for 2 day training, and a $25 administrative fee for a 1 day training.

Participants who do not attend a workshop and do not submit a withdrawal request as  outlined in the previous section prior to the completion of the workshop will receive a  refund of the paid workshop fee minus a $100 administrative fee. Refunds are  processed within 7 business days of the completion of the workshop.

Workshop Cancellation:

Water’s Edge Counseling, Play Therapy & Training reserves the right to cancel a workshop due to insufficient enrollment. Water’s Edge Counseling, Play Therapy & Training will email workshop students at least 5 calendar days in advance of the scheduled workshop date to notify students of the cancellation. Notice will be provided  with the option to reschedule for a future course date or to receive a full refund of paid workshop fees.

Water’s Edge Counseling, Play Therapy & Training reserves the right to cancel a workshop due to inclement weather, instructor illness or instructor family emergency. If  a workshop is canceled, students will be notified via email prior to the workshop start  time. Water’s Edge Counseling, Play Therapy & Training will notify the students of a reschedule date for the workshop within 10 calendar days of the cancelled workshop or  as soon as the reschedule date is known.. Notice will be provided with the option to reschedule for the future course date or to receive a full refund of the paid workshop fee.

Grievance Policy:

Concerns should be addressed to Water’s Edge Counseling, Play Therapy & Training, 204 S. 24th Street, Rogers, AR 72756 or 1-479-621-0301. or emailed to training@watersedgecounselingnwa.com. When a complaint, either verbally or written is filed with The WEDGE, the following guidelines are followed with respect to achieving resolution.

Complaints relative to a speaker or workshop leader, contents of instructional materials being presented, or an individual education style being utilized, the person bringing the complaint should first address concerns with the presenter. If the presenter is not available, all comments should be placed in writing and sent to training@watersedgecounselingnwa.com. If complaints concern the facility, or CEU's, they should be emailed to training@watersedgecounselingnwa.com or mailed to 204 S 24th Street, Rogers, AR 72758. The CEO and Director of Operations(DO) will attempt to resolve the matter in a timely manner. If the offer of resolution is not satisfactory to the person filing the complaint, then further action may be taken. In this instance, a written request for reconsideration can be sent to attention of the CEO and DO. The complaint will then be reviewed by the CEO, DO and members of the training committee. A written response will be issued within 30 days of receipt of the written complaint. The decision of the CEO and DO is final.

ADA Needs:

We would be happy to accommodate your ADA needs; please call our office for more information at 1-479-621-0301 or send an email to training@watersedgecounselingnwa.com.