Registration Cost: 

• EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION: 

  • Before 4/4/2026: $180 

• REGISTRATION:

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

* Early Bird Discount Tickets only available through April 4th, 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 training supports play therapists in developing a clear and ethically grounded theoretical identity by exploring how personal philosophy, worldview, cultural context, and clinical style influence the selection of a foundational play therapy theory. Participants will examine key philosophical traditions that underpin psychology and play therapy, including humanistic, empiricist, constructivist, holistic, and culturally responsive perspectives, and how these worldviews shape beliefs about human nature, relationships, and mechanisms of change. 

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Through an examination of major play therapy theories and their founders, clinicians will explore core theoretical tenets, therapist roles, and change agents from a philosophical lens. Emphasis is placed on understanding why play therapy theories work, for whom, and under what conditions, rather than applying techniques in isolation. 

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The workshop further addresses the ethical and culturally responsive integration of prescriptive and integrative play therapy approaches, supporting clinicians in maintaining fidelity to their primary theoretical orientation while adapting interventions to meet the diverse developmental, cultural, and systemic needs of children and families within evidence-based practice.

Choosing Your Theoretical Home in Play Therapy:

A Philosophical & Clinical Guide for Play Therapists

Saturday, April 18, 2026

9:30 am - 5:30 pm

1811 Santa Rita Road, Suite 214, 

Pleasanton, CA 94566

Leslie Baker

MA in Clinical Psychology, LMFT, NCC, RPT-S™

Leslie Baker, MFT, NCC, RPT-S™, is a licensed marriage and family therapist with over 30 years of experience in mental health. She is the Owner and Executive Director of Therapy2Thrive® Marriage and Family Counseling Center, Inc., where she provides therapy, consultation, and supervision. A former Lead Area Chair at the University of Phoenix, Leslie is passionate about helping play therapists explore theory and find their theoretical home in play therapy. 

Speaker Disclosures:

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

Non-financial:   Leslie Baker is a member of APT, Cal-APT, NCC, and various other professional organizations..  

After the full conference, participants will be able to: 

• After the session, participants will be able to describe how major philosophical traditions (e.g., empiricism, rationalism, humanism, constructivism, and holism) have influenced the development of contemporary psychology and seminal play therapy theories, and discuss how these philosophical assumptions shape therapeutic goals and methods in play therapy practice. 
• After the session, participants will be able to identify and list at least 2 the founders, core tenets, therapist roles, and primary mechanisms of change associated with major play therapy theories, including Child-Centered Play Therapy, Adlerian Play Therapy, Jungian Play Therapy, Theraplay®, Developmental Play Therapy, Object Relations Play Therapy, Gestalt Play Therapy, CBT-Play Therapy, Filial Play Therapy, and Ecosystemic Play Therapy.
• After the session, participants will be able to explain how a therapist's stance, level of directiveness, and beliefs about change differ across play therapy theories, and apply this knowledge to select developmentally appropriate and ethically sound play therapy approaches for diverse children and families.
• After the session, participants will be able to differentiate between prescriptive and integrative play therapy approaches and demonstrate how a clearly identified foundational play therapy theory supports ethical integration of techniques from other models within the scope of practice.
• After the session, participants will be able to apply the Therapeutic Powers of Play and the 20 Core Agents of Change to specific play therapy theories, identifying which therapeutic powers are most intentionally activated within at least two theoretical orientations the participant identifies with.
• After the session, participants will be able to reflect on and articulate their cultural, philosophical, and clinical values, and to formulate a personal theoretical orientation statement that identifies a primary play therapy theory and supporting integrative influences for professional practice.

Saturday, April 18, 2026:  6 CE credits

9:00 AM - 9:15 Welcome, Conflict of Interest & Play Therapy limitations 

9:15 - 9:45 Philosophy as the Foundation of Play Therapy 

9:45 -10:00 Philosophical Influences 

10:00 -10:30 Experiential - “What do I believe helps children heal?” & T-pop & 20 core Agents of change 

10:30 - 10:45 Humanistic & Depth-Oriented Play Therapy Theories 

10:45 - 11:15 Child-Centered Play Therapy (Virginia Axline / Carl Rogers) Case examples 

11:15 - 11:45 Jungian Play Therapy (Carl Jung; Dora Kalff) Case examples 

11:45 - 12:00 Developmental, Attachment, and Relational Models 

12:00 - 12:45 Adlerian Play Therapy (Alfred Adler; Kottman); Theraplay (Jernberg & Booth); Developmental Play Therapy - Case examples 

12:45 - 1:00 Insight-Oriented & Experiential Approaches 

1:00 - 1:30 Object Relations Play Therapy, Gestalt Play Therapy (Violet Oaklander) - Case examples 

1:30 - 1:45 Cognitive, Behavioral, and Family-Based Models 

1:45 - 2:30 CBT-Play Therapy; Filial Play Therapy (Bernard & Louise Guerney); Ecosystemic Play Therapy - Case examples 

2:30 - 2:45 Prescriptive vs Integrative Practice 

2:45 - 3:15 Prescriptive Play Therapy; Integrative Play Therapy-Case examples 

3:15 - 3:45 Experiential Integration - Activity 

3:45 - 4:15 Closing -Personal theoretical identity statement activity 

4:15 - 4:30 Questions & Answers

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 (3.5 hours), Skills and Methods (1 hour), Cultural & Social Diversity (1.5 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.