Registration Cost: 

• SINGLE DAY Conference: $250 (Early Bird $225)
• TWO DAY Conference: $450 (Early Bird $430)
• LATE REGISTRATION (Register on or after August 5-9):
• • Single Day Conference: $260
  • Two Day Conference: $460

* Early Bird Discount Tickets only available through June 15, 2025

PLUS

* APT Members use coupon code CALAPTMEM20 and remember to provide your APT member number during checkout to take advantage of your CalAPT $20 per day member discount! Not yet an APT member? Join here and start enjoying the discounts and other member benefits today.

Member discounts are not automatically applied and a discount code is required. Please check you have added applicable discount code prior to completing the payment process. Discounts cannot be combined. Refunds will not be issued for registration discounts not applied.   

Students use coupon code STUDENT20 and remember to provide your school ID number, and name your University you CURRENTLY attend to receive a $20 per day student discount. 

All discounts are not automatically applied and a discount code is required. Please check you have added applicable discounts prior to completing the payment process. Discounts cannot be combined. Refunds will not be issued for registration discounts not applied.  

Please note that your course will not automatically appear upon payment. To confirm that you are registered for your events, please refer to your invoice. Courses will be available to you one week prior to your registered events. Please email president@calplaytherapy.org for more information or questions.

Get ready to dive into a hands-on, heart-centered workshop! Join us for TWO DAYS as we blend the powerful approaches of Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) and Attachment-Centered Play Therapy (ACPT) in a fun, immersive experience. This workshop will deepen your skills in culturally sensitive play therapy, which is perfect for mental health professionals, psychotherapists, and play therapists. Discover new ways to use ACPT techniques—like Family Play Therapy and EFFT—while embracing the richness of diverse cultural perspectives. Come ready to learn, play, and connect! You will leave with a toolbox of new play therapy interventions, ways to incorporate parents into the playroom, and an understanding of the nuances of family relationship patterns.

Understanding the relationship dynamics that drive human behavior is an essential aspect of the clinical work a play therapist engages in. Learning how to engage the family system in play therapy is also crucial, as a child’s world is directly impacted by their home and family systems. This workshop builds upon contemporary attachment science and integrates Attachment-centered Centered Play Therapy to help participants understand attachment, behavior, and emotions.     

Throughout the workshop, developing and understanding cultural competence, including awareness, knowledge, and skills necessary for cross-cultural communication and intervention, will be addressed. Viewing diverse families through the lens of attachment theory will also explore how culture, ethnicity, and relationships can be exhibited via attachment-seeking behaviors.  

Conference Day 1:

Integrating Emotionally Focused Family Therapy with Attachment-Centered Play Therapy

Friday, August  8, 2025

9:00 am - 4:30 pm

St. Mark Presbyterian Church 

2220 San Joaquin Hills Rd. 

Newport Beach, CA 92660

* This Day 1 workshop meets the qualifications for 6 hours of continuing education credit.

Conference Day 2:

Integrating Emotionally Focused Family Therapy with Attachment-Centered Play Therapy

Saturday, August 9, 2025

9:00 am - 4:30 pm

St. Mark Presbyterian Church 

2220 San Joaquin Hills Rd. 

Newport Beach, CA 92660

* This Day 2 workshop meets the qualifications for 6 hours of continuing education credit.

Clair Mellenthin

PhD, LCSW, RPT-S

Clair Mellenthin, PhD, LCSW, RPT-S, is an international speaker, award-winning author, and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. She is the creator of Attachment Centered Play Therapy and specializes in working with children, teens, and families. Mellenthin frequently presents on play therapy and family therapy worldwide. She is the former president of the Utah Association for Play Therapy and has authored several best-selling books, including Attachment Centered Play Therapy and Play Therapy: Engaging & Powerful Techniques for the Treatment of Childhood Disorders. Mellenthin is also a frequent media expert on child and family issues. 

​​Li​liana Baylon

LMFT-S, RPT-S, ICEEFT EFT Supervisor

Liliana Baylon, LMFT-S, RPT-S, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, MBA, is a bilingual (English/Spanish) and bicultural therapist with a Master’s Degree in Counseling and Marriage, Family, and Child Therapy from the University of Phoenix. She has extensive experience in speaking, training, and consulting, with a focus on mental health, cultural diversity, and social justice in a global context. Liliana's work draws on over a decade of clinical experience, specializing in treating LatinX community members and offering bilingual therapy and supervision. She is a respected expert in working with families, couples, and children impacted by global migration, trauma, abuse, and multicultural issues. 

Speaker Disclosures:

Clair Mellinthin

Financial:   Clair Mellenthin has employment relationships with Wasatch Family Therapy and the University of Louisiana Monroe. She is a published author and receives royalties. Clair Mellenthin receives a speaking honorarium, recording royalties, and book royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations. 

Non-financial:   Clair Mellenthin is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, the Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the American Psychological Association, and the Association for Play Therapy.  

Lilliana Baylon 

Financial:   Lilliana Baylon maintains a private practice and has employment relationships with University of Colorado and Healing Relationships Counseling SVC, PLLC. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations. 

Non-financial:   Lilliana Baylon serves on the board of directors for EMDR International Association and is the secretary for Synergetic Play Therapy Institute. She is a member of the International Center for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy, the Colorado Counseling Association, the Association for Play Therapy, and the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.  

Two Day Conference (Friday/Saturday, August 8-9, 2025):

After the full conference, participants will be able to: 

• Describe core tenets of  EFFT, highlighting its fundamental principles and techniques and their application in play therapy. Particular focus will be on understanding emotional responses within family systems. 
•  Explain how EFFT can be adapted and integrated into the context of play therapy for a holistic healing experience. 
• Discuss the fundamentals of Attachment-Centered Play Therapy (ACPT), emphasizing the significance of secure attachment in childhood development. 
• Evaluate the four key concepts of attachment theory and how these concepts apply to attachment-centered play therapy. 
• Practice three practical play therapy techniques for incorporating play as a medium for expression, exploration, and healing within the therapeutic process. 
• Implement play therapy interventions with a cultural lens to suit EFFT and Attachment-Centered Play Therapy (ACPT). 
• Address potential complexities in play therapy when combining EFFT,  ACPT, and cultural adaptations. 
• Utilize practical play therapy strategies for navigating areas of intersectionality within the family play therapy process. 
• Describe how attachment theories apply across different cultural contexts, including recognizing attachment style variations and behavior influenced by cultural norms and family dynamics during play therapy sessions.  
• Ascertain and respect cultural differences in therapeutic environments, including during the course of play therapy in  the playroom. 
• Develop skills for building cultural competence, including awareness, knowledge, and skills necessary for effective cross-cultural communication and  attached based play therapy intervention. 

Conference Day 1 (Friday, August 8, 2025):  6 CE hours

8:45am-9:00am ​ ​Registration / Check-In

9:00am-10:00am ​​​Introduction to attachment theory and key concepts

10:00am-10:30am ​Intro to EFFT

10:30am-10:45am ​Morning Break

10:45am-12:00pm EFFT continued

12:00pm-1:00pm ​ ​Lunch Break

1:00pm-2:30pm EFFT

2:30pm-2:45pm ​ ​Afternoon Break

2:45pm-4:30pm ​ ​Intro to ACPT

Conference Day 2 (Saturday, August 9, 2025):  6 CE hours

8:45am-9:00am ​ ​Registration / Check-in

9:00am-10:00am ​​Introduction to  ACPT

9:30am-10:30am ​ ​Integrating ACPT with EFFT 

10:30am-10:45am ​​​Morning Break

10:45am-12:00pm ​​Continued Integration ACPT with EFFT

12:00pm-1:00pm ​​Lunch Break

1:00pm-2:30pm ​ ​ACPT & EFFT 

2:30pm-2:45pm ​ ​Afternoon Break

2:45pm-4:30pm ​ ​Integrating culture, cultural adaptations to ACPT & EFFT models

Continuing Education: This workshop meets the qualifications for up to 12 hours of continuing education credit (6 hours for Conference Day 1, 6 hours for Conference Day 2) for Psychologists, MFTs & LCSWs and LPCC’s. The California Association for Play Therapy (CALAPT) is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to play therapy. APT Approved Provider # 00-094 maintains responsibility for the program. Play therapy credit is only awarded to mental health professionals. The California Association for Play Therapy (CALAPT) has been approved by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7409. CALAPT is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. The California Association for Play Therapy (CALAPT) is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. The California Association for Play Therapy maintains responsibility for this program and its contents. NO CREDIT FOR PARTIAL ATTENDANCE. Programs that do not qualify for APA, NBCC or APT credit are clearly identified.   

*CalAPT recommends that participants check with their state licensing board and/or state psychological association to inquire whether credits will be accepted. CalAPT does not have any authority over whether credits earned will be accepted, as the requirements are set by the state licensing boards, and CalAPT is therefore unable to provide information regarding their requirements. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit.   

Non-Credit Events: Light refreshments, lunch, and vendor halls.  

Who Should Attend: Psychologists, Social Workers, Marriage, Family & Child Therapists, School Counselors, Students and Interns. 

Instructional Level: Introductory.

Instructional Methodology: May include lecture, demonstration, audio/visual, experiential practice of techniques, case examples, large and small group discussion.

Play Therapy Areas:  Skills and Methods (6 hours), Special Topics (3 hours), Cultural & social Diversity (3 hours).

By registering for this event, you certify that you understand and agree to the following policies and disclaimers: 

Eligibility Policy: CalAPT events are open to mental health professionals or full-time graduate students in a mental health field. Although not eligible to receive continuing education credit, when available, allied professionals (pediatricians, nurses, etc.) are welcome to attend. Due to the confidentiality and nature of topics presented, children (of any age) are not permitted at CalAPT events, unless otherwise specified. CalAPT has the right to refuse or cancel ineligible registrations at any time and shall not be held accountable for any outside fees associated with this cancellation. If you have any specific questions regarding your eligibility status, please contact president@calplaytherap.org.  

Cancellation & Refund Policy: Requests for refunds must be made in writing by e-mail to president@calplaytherapy.org. Because registrations generate contractual and non-refundable guarantees between CalAPT and other parties, registration refunds will neither be made after 14 days preceding the event nor to parties who register but do not attend. Requests must be made at least two weeks prior to the training to receive a refund. There is a $25.00 administrative fee for refunds. There are no refunds for cancellations after the deadline, however, registration may be transferred to another individual. There are no price breaks for partial attendance. CalAPT reserves the right to cancel this event in the event of unforeseen circumstances.  If such occurs, CalAPT will attempt to notify registrants at least 10 calendar days prior to the event and refund all registration fees. In all instances, the liability of CalAPT is limited to refunding such fees.  

Disclaimers:   

• The opinions expressed by presenters at the CALAPT events do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the CALAPT Board of Directors or its membership. CALAPT reserves the right to make changes to the conference schedule, speakers and presentation, if this becomes necessary.  
• CalAPT training events are sponsored by CalAPT for educational purposes only. The material presented is not intended to represent the only or best approaches to the topics being discussed and participants waive any claim they may have against CalAPT for assurance on information presented.   
• Registration and participation in CalAPT workshops and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant to the use and distribution (both now and in the future) of the registrant or attendee's image or voice in photographs, videos, electronic reproductions, and audiotapes of such events and activities by CalAPT.  

Unacceptable Behavior Policy: Professional conduct by attendees is expected while attending CALAPT workshops and other activities. Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to:   

• Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form.  
• Physical or verbal abuse of any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor/vendor, CALAPT volunteer, service provider, or other guest. Examples include, but are not limited to, verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations, or threatening or stalking any attendee, speaker, exhibitor/vendor, CALAPT volunteer, service provider, or other guest.  
• Disruption of presentations during sessions, in the exhibitor/vendor hall, or at other events organized by CALAPT at the meeting venue.  
• Presentations, postings, and messages should not contain promotional materials, special offers, job offers, product announcements, or solicitation for services. CALAPT reserves the right to remove such messages and potentially ban sources of those solicitations.  

CALAPT has zero-tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment, including but not limited to sexual harassment by participants or our CALAPT volunteers at our meetings. If you experience harassment or hear of any incidents of unacceptable behavior, CALAPT asks that you inform us at president@calplaytherapy.org so that we may take the appropriate action.  

CALAPT reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from CALAPT workshops and other activities without warning or refund, in response to any incident of unacceptable behavior, and CALAPT reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future CALAPT event.  

Accessibility Information: CALAPT is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. Please contact president@calplaytherapy.org to request disability accommodations per ADA/504. Advance notice is necessary to arrange some accessibility needs. Please provide notification two weeks prior to the workshop date.  

Health and Safety Information: CALAPT follows all guidance and recommendations set forth by the CDC and other state, local and federal health and safety governance.  

Personal Responsibility and Liability Waiver:  

CALAPT’s goal is to ensure a safe meeting environment. Therefore, CALAPT will follow the guidance (such as masking) established by the facility hosting the event, the county department of public health in which the event is located, the State of California, and/or federal government agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. As such, you also agree to abide by any prevention or safety measures that CALAPT or facility hosting the event, the county health department in which the event is located, the State of California, and/or federal government agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may have in place during CALAPT workshops or other activities. You also agree not to attend CALAPT workshop or other activities if you become ill, are aware that you have been directly exposed to the COVID-19 virus within 7 days prior CALAPT workshops or other activities or exhibit any symptoms of the COVID-19 virus prior to or during CALAPT workshops or other activities.  

Should public health guidelines prevent in-person gatherings, we will provide registration refunds upon request. Please take care when booking travel arrangements; CALAPT is not responsible for airfare or other travel reimbursements should public health guidelines require cancellation of in-person workshops or other activities.   

By attending CALAPT workshops or other activities, you are acknowledging that an inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 and its variants exists in any public place where people are present.  COVID-19 and its variants are extremely contagious diseases that can lead to severe illness and death.  According to the Centers for Disease and Control Prevention, senior citizens and others with underlying medical conditions are especially vulnerable. By attending CALAPT workshops or other activities, you voluntarily assume all risks related to exposure to COVID-19 and its variants and agree not to hold the California Branch of the Association for Play Therapy or its officers, directors, members, agents, volunteers, or contractors liable for any illness or injury.   

Grievances: We are dedicated to delivering a high-quality workshop that meets the needs and expectations of our participants. If, at any time, you are dissatisfied with the workshop or its procedures, feel that you have been treated unfairly, or would like to request a copy of our full grievance policy, we encourage you to share your concerns. Please reach out to us at president@calplaytherapy.org, and we will work to address them promptly. 

Questions: Please contact us at president@calplaytherapy.org with your event or registration related questions.