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Annual Conference Event
San Diego, CA
12.0 CEs
August 28th & 29th, 2026
San Diego, CA
Play Therapy to Heal Wounded Attachment & Dissociation
Speaker:
Ann Beckley-Forest, LCSW, RPT-S™,
&
Annie Monaco, LCSW, RPT-S™
*Discounts for: Members, Students, and Early Registration!
Play therapists are often at loss when treating attachment wounds and managing dissociative symptoms. We will take a prescriptive approach to play therapy treatment of attachment wounds using neurosequential thinking, dyadic play therapy techniques, attachment-focused modalities, to involvement of family/caregivers in these attachment-focused play therapy activities to increase their ability to mentalize for the child.
We will also focus on developing an in-depth case formulation and treatment plan using Child-Centered, Gestalt, and other play therapy approaches within a prescriptive framework based on the current literature on polyvagal theory, developmental trauma, and attachment. We will also discuss the complications therapists may encounter when using trauma approaches such as trauma narratives, EMDR or TF-CBT to heal “attachment trauma”.
Let's help children heal from the exposure of severe and long-term trauma can lead children to exhibit concerning behaviors such as rage, destruction, self-harm, etc., which are now understood as related to attachment wounds and dissociation, and the accompanying fragmentation of the self.
Networking Events:
Conference Networking Event
In-Person
Networking & Vendor Event
Come connect and visit. We can be ready to talk, walk, support and live Play Therapy! Event open to: Attendees of the conference, non-Attendees that are in the area, those interested in learning more about the field of Play Therapy and happen to be in the area, etc. Come out and let's seize the opportunity to share in time together. If you're in the area, come on over!
There will be light snacks, vendors, shopping, and time to relax after Day 1 of learning together.
FREE registration! Please let us know how many people we can expect at this event.
Various Attendees / Vendors
Live / In-Person Event
Friday, August 28th
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
The Dana on Mission Bay:
1710 W. Mission Bay Drive, San Diego CA 92109
Networking Events:
Monthly Musings
Virtual
Topics: Various
CalAPT has heard you all share that you want more time to connect with one another. More networking events. One offering for this from the larger statewide perspective: Monthly Musings.
Each month will introduce a different topic related to Play Therapy. To help connect, encourage and inspire one another. Roughly 1-2 hours together. Past Monthly Musing Topics: Bibliotherapy, Puppets, Road to RPT, etc.
FREE registration, and links will be sent out prior to event.
Various Speakers/Connectors
Virtual Events
Your CalAPT Board is planning for more to come in 2025!
Check back for more details.
Contact president@calplaytherapy.org to volunteer with CalAPT or share your input!
Past Events
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