Registration Cost: 

• EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: 

  • Before 2/7/2026: $180

• REGISTRATION:

  • Non-Member: $240
  • CalAPT Member: $210
  • Student: $150

* Early Bird Discount Tickets only available through February 7st, 2026!​

PLUS

* APT Members must provide their APT/CalAPT member number to receive their discount. Otherwise they risk being invoiced for full registration price. Not yet an APT member? Join here and start enjoying the discounts and other member benefits today.

* Students provide your student ID number and name your University you CURRENTLY attend during checkout to receive a student pricing!  

All discounts are automatically applied. 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.

This workshop introduces play therapists to play-based music interventions that can be integrated into clinical work with children and families. Participants will learn how musical elements—lyrics, rhythm, melody, tempo, improvisation, and instrument play—can enhance emotional expression, regulation, trauma processing, parent–child connection, and engagement for children and teens with diverse needs. No musical experience or skill needed!

The healing power of music and its relevance and impact within the mental health field is well studied and documented (Yiwei 2025, Rodwin et al. 2022). In addition to being a fun and engaging way to interact in the playroom, current research is helping us understand exactly how music impacts our brain. Imaging studies demonstrate the power of music to activate different regions of the brain. Music can release dopamine, improve focus, provide a link to emotional memories via the limbic system, as well as provide opportunities for regulation (Ferreri 2019).

Despite the growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of music based interventions, many play therapists rely primarily on traditional play modalities (toys, art, sand, storytelling) and may lack familiarity or training in music-based

interventions. Music is one more element that can enhance play therapy work by adding a dynamic & multisensory layer. Rhythm, melody, and emotional nuance can help clients access that which may not otherwise be spoken or shared. Music may be played and/or processed in the playroom as a means to addressing a wide variety of presenting problems. Play based music interventions complement the core principles of play therapy by incorporating many, if not most of the identified therapeutic powers of play (Schaefer & Drewes 2014).

This workshop will discuss the evidence supporting the benefits of incorporating music into play therapy and provide hands on experiential opportunities to practice specific interventions in order to build confidence and competence in this area.

Play Therapy Rocks!

Saturday, February 21, 2026

9:30 am - 5:30 pm

Alexander Hughes Community Center -- Padua Room 

1700 Danbury Road

 Claremont, CA 91711

Jodi Smith

LCSW, RPT-S™, CAAIS

Jodi Smith MSW, LCSW, RPT-S™, CAAPT runs her private practice, Play Is Powerful!, in Claremont, California. She has worked extensively with families in a wide variety of settings including residential treatment centers, hospitals, and schools and was an adjunct assistant professor for the USC School of Social Work for over 10 years. She has a Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California, is a licensed clinical social worker in California, as well as a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and a Certified Animal Assisted Intervention Specialist. Jodi and her canines, Daltrey and Daenerys specialize in providing play therapy and Animal Assisted Therapy to children, teenagers and families. Additionally, Jodi provides supervision and consultation to individuals and organizations.

Speaker Disclosures:

Financial:   Jodi Smith owns her own private practice. She provides supervision and consultation for a fee. Jodi Smith has written various articles, and is receiving an honorarium for this presentation.

Non-financial:   Jodi Smith is a member of APT, AAAIP and various other professional organizations..  

After the full conference, participants will be able to: 

• After the session, participants will be able to discuss how play therapy interventions utilizing music can be adapted to meet the diverse needs of clients.
• After the session, participants will be able to demonstrate three music based play therapy techniques.
• After the session, participants will be able to discuss how music impacts the brain.
• After the session, participants will be able to apply music based play therapy interventions across the life span.
• After the session, participants will be able to identify appropriate music-based interventions for specific play therapy goals.
• After the session, participants will be able to describe at least three evidence-supported therapeutic benefits of incorporating music into play therapy.

Saturday, February 21, 2026:  6 CE credits

9:30-9:45 Registration

9:45-10:15 Intro & Overview

10:15-11:15 Music , Play, history & science

11:15-11:30 Break

11:30-12:30  Music , Play, history & science

12:30-1:30 Lunch

1:30-1:45 Raffle and Membership Drive

1:45-3:15  Play Therapy Interventions and Practice

3:15-3:30 Break

3:30-5:15 Play Therapy Interventions and Practice

5:15-5:30 Wrap up and Q&A

Continuing Education: This workshop meets the qualifications for a total of 6 hours of continuing education credit 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, morning and afternoon breaks, lunch (not provided by CalAPT).  

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:  ​Seminal Theories or Historically Significant Theories (1), Skills & Methods (4), Cultural & Social Diversity(1)

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.