October 30, 2026 9am-12:15pm

NSU, Broken Arrow, OK

Superheroes are Super (as in Extremely) Human:  Utilizing Pop Culture in Mental Health

This training will explore clinical applications and outcomes related to Pop Culture, Geek Therapy informed interventions, and Fandoms.  The collective narratives and character archetypes within fandoms can imbue therapeutic relationships with powerful identification from normalization, hope, and universalization. Utilizing interactive and experiential techniques, participants will explore theory and techniques to build enhanced therapeutic relationships, adaptability within sessions, and a new level of accessibility for challenging clients.

https://oka4pt.com/continuing-education-event/

November 20, 2026 10am-2:30pm CST

Live Virtual Training

With NanDee Walker, NCC, LPC-S, RPT-S

This training will introduce and explore the origins and evolution of Object Relations Theory within a Play Therapy context. With reference to K-Pop Demon Hunters, we will explore foundational concepts from Melanie Klein, Ronald Fairbairn, and others such as internalization, splitting, and integration.

Object Relations is the foundational scaffolding for several powerfully validated modalities including Attachment Theory and Practices. This training will explore methods for building an authentic therapeutic alliance and tools for managing objective countertransference within a Play Therapy Lens. We will explore contemporary research and clinical case presentations through an integration of experiential group work and dynamic geek therapy intervention techniques.

https://www.anewhopeacademy.org/seminal/developmental

December 4, 2026 9:30am-12:30pm

St Johns Owasso, OK

Drowning in Empathy:  Ethical Considerations for Play Therapists

Working as a caregiver utilizing play therapy in today's world has become increasingly more challenging.  Play Therapists willingly engage in high stress encounters with clients and their guardians all while attempting to navigate the Post-Pandemic life of technological and administrative demands, financial concerns, a morass of politics, and a cornucopia of personal life situations.  Marked levels of professional caregivers report a high degree of compassion fatigue and/or burnout, with Play Therapists reporting a lower than expected percentage of perceived self-efficacy.  This presentation will help participants understand the connection between empathy levels and one’s own access to resiliency; giving participant’s permission to acknowledge challenges and engage in quantifiable change in self-care practices.

REGISTRATION COMING SOON!

December 18, 2026 10am-2:30pm CST

Life Virtual Training

With Melissa Winterscheid, LPC-S, RPT-S,

What can a struggling soccer club, a handmade “BELIEVE” sign, and a box of biscuits teach us about Adlerian Play Therapy? Quite a lot, actually. This two-hour training uses the characters, relationships, and memorable moments of Ted Lasso as a playful lens for exploring the foundations and contemporary practice of Adlerian Play Therapy (AdPT).

Together, we will travel from Alfred Adler and Rudolf Dreikurs to Terry Kottman’s development of Adlerian Play Therapy, exploring how concepts such as belonging, private logic, purposeful behavior, social interest, encouragement, and the Crucial C’s come to life both on the pitch and in the playroom. Through discussion, clinical examples, and experiential activities, participants will consider how an Adlerian play therapist looks beyond behavior to understand the beliefs, goals, and needs underneath it. Come curious, bring your play therapy spirit, and perhaps leave believing a little more deeply in the power of encouragement, connection, and play.

https://www.anewhopeacademy.org/seminal/filial-adlerian

May 2-8, 2027

Disneyland

The Force at Play

In the Spring of 2027, the Play Therapy: Disney Bound Conference invites you to journey toward the light and explore the forces that guide us toward healing, hope, and transformation. Through experiential workshops, creative interventions, and immersive learning, we’ll explore heroines rising against the odds, galaxies far, far away, wise guides, and the kind of magic that reminds us that light, joy, and hope still have the power to transform a story.

Join us for Ethics, Supervision, and more!

https://www.anewhopeacademy.org/disneyboundmay2027