Introduction to Child-Centered Play Therapy
Sponsored by James B. Carroll
September 19-20th, 2025
12 Contact hours
Cost: $240 (To register and play, click here PAYMENTS)
Program Description:
This two-day experiential training provides a comprehensive introduction to Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), a developmentally responsive and evidence-based approach grounded in the humanistic principles of Carl Rogers and Virginia Axline. Designed for mental health professionals, graduate students, and other child-serving clinicians, this training offers foundational knowledge and practical skills necessary to begin implementing CCPT in clinical and school settings.
Participants will explore the historical roots, theoretical framework, and core principles of CCPT, with a strong focus on the therapeutic relationship, the role of the therapist, and the use of play as a developmentally appropriate means of communication. Through a combination of didactic instruction, video case examples, group discussion, videos and hands-on experiential activities, attendees will begin to develop the empathic stance and non-directive skills central to CCPT.
This training meets the requirements set forth by the Association for Play Therapy (APT) and is intended as a foundational course that supports participants in pursuing further credentialing as Registered Play Therapists (RPTs).
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
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Describe the theoretical foundations of Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), including contributions from Carl Rogers and Virginia Axline.
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Identify the core principles and essential attitudes of the child-centered approach, including unconditional positive regard, empathic understanding, and congruence.
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Explain the role of the play therapist in CCPT and how it differs from directive therapeutic approaches.
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Demonstrate basic CCPT skills and techniques, including tracking, reflecting feelings, and limit setting using the ACT model.
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List the key phases of the CCPT process, from relationship building through termination.
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Discuss the role of toys and the playroom environment in CCPT, including how to select and organize materials that facilitate therapeutic play.
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Recognize and reflect on cultural, ethical, and developmental considerations when applying CCPT with diverse child populations.
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Articulate the benefits and limitations of CCPT, including empirical support for its effectiveness and appropriate clinical applications.
DAY 1 – FOUNDATIONS OF CCPT
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Time Session Title Content & Activities
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8:30 AM – 9:00 AM Registration & Welcome Sign-in, introductions, overview of objectives, and training expectations.
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Session 1: History & Theoretical Review of humanistic theory, Carl Rogers,
Foundations Virginia Axline’s 8 principles,
evolution of CCPT. "Day 1 Reflective Activity" + Lecture + discussion.
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM Break
10:45 AM – 12:00 PM Session 2: The Therapist’s Role & Deep dive into therapist stance:
Core Attitudes unconditional positive regard, empathy, congruence. Video, "The Play Therapist's Language of Change" + partner activity, "Stepping Into The Core Conditions."
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch Break
1:00 PM – 2:15 PM Session 3: The Playroom and Setting up a CCPT playroom,
Therapeutic Materials toy selection rationale (categories), cultural considerations. Video, "Toys and
Materials for Play Therapy" + Lecture
2:15 PM – 2:30 PM Break
2:30 PM – 4:00 PM Session 4: Responding to the Core skills: tracking, reflecting
Child in CCPT content and feeling, building
the relationship. Lecture + Demonstration + paired practice, "Core Skills."
DAY 2 – APPLICATION, SKILLS, AND ETHICS IN CCPT
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Time Session Title Content & Activities
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8:30 AM – 9:00 AM Check-In & Reflections from Group sharing, Q&A, and
Day 1 "Day 2 Reflective Activity."
9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Session 5: Limit Setting in CCPT Introduction and practice of the
– The ACT Model ACT model (Acknowledge,
Communicate limit, Target alternative). Video, "Therapeutic Limit Setting in Play Therapy" + "Role-Play."
10:30 AM – 10:45 AM Break
10:45 AM – 11:15 PM Session 6: Phases of the Overview of CCPT phases: warm-up,
Therapeutic Process resistance, working, termination.
Lecture + discussion.
11:15 PM – 1200 PM Session 7: Ethical, Cultural, and Review of confidentiality, culture,
Developmental Considerations and adapting CCPT across ages and populations. Lecture + discussion.
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Lunch Break
1:00 PM - 2:15 PM Session 8: Integrating CCPT - Live or video observation of CCPT
Practice & Reflection session. Q&A.
2:15 PM – 2:30 PM Break
2:30 PM – 3:300 PM Session 8: Integrating CCPT – Practice CCPT session.
Practice & Reflection
3:30 PM- 4:00 PM Final reflection "Final Reflective Activity," completion of evaluation forms, and certificate distribution.
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​The Play Therapy Center
131 Lincoln Place Court, Suite 406
Belleville, IL 62221
Cancellation and Refund Policy:
Registration cancellation refund requests should be submitted to James Carroll in writing. The Registration fee, minus a $50 administrative fee, will be refunded only if the request is postmarked/emailed 15 days prior to the training. James Carroll reserves the right to cancel this training in the event of unforeseen circumstances. If such occurs, James Carroll will attempt to notify registrants prior to the training and refund all registration fees. In all instances, the liability of James Carroll is limited to refunding such fees.
About the Presenter:
James Carroll has a master’s in professional counseling from Lindenwood University. He is licensed as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (IL) and a Licensed Professional Counselor (MO). In addition, he is credentialed as a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S). He was trained in CCPT by Drs. Brittney Wilson and Dee Ray at the University of Northern Texas (UNT), where he is Certified as a Child-Centered Play Therapist and Child-Centered Group Play Therapist.
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APT Approved Provider 25-772 ACEP Number: 7781
Play therapy credit is only awarded to mental health professionals.
