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A Taste of Synergetic Play Therapy

CE Hours 3

About this course

This three-hour play therapy training offers participants a brief “taste” of Synergetic Play Therapy, a research-informed model developed by Lisa Dion that integrates the therapeutic powers of play, nervous system regulation, interpersonal neurobiology, attachment, mindfulness, therapist authenticity, and the therapist’s use of self. This introductory training is designed to help play therapists become familiar with foundational SPT concepts and determine whether they may want to pursue formal training through the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute. Participants will explore what Synergetic Play Therapy is and is not, how SPT understands the states of activation, and why regulation in play therapy does not always look calm, quiet, or compliant. The training will introduce several SPT-informed concepts, including the states of activation, definitions of regulation, and the use of the therapist as the “most important toy in the playroom” within Synergetic Play Therapy. This training is for awareness and professional exploration only and does not certify or train participants in Synergetic Play Therapy. After attending this training, participants will be able to: 1. Define Synergetic and Synergetic Play Therapy. 2. Describe at least three ways SPT aligns with basic play therapy tenets and how it differs from other play therapy models including CCPT, AdPT, and CBPT. 3. Discuss and define the states of activation and how these states show up in play therapy and inform the therapist’s actions during play therapy sessions.

Learning Objectives

  • After attending this training, participants will be able to: 1. Define Synergetic and Synergetic Play Therapy.
  • After attending this training, participants will be able to: 2. 2. Describe at least three ways SPT aligns with basic play therapy tenets and how it differs from other play therapy models including CCPT, AdPT, and CBPT.
  • After attending this training, participants will be able to: 3. 3. Discuss and define the states of activation and how these states show up in play therapy and inform the therapist’s actions during play therapy sessions.

Course Instructor(s)

  • Robyn D Reyna, LPC-S, RPT-S, RST

    Robyn Reyna is a Licensed Professional Counselor – Supervisor and a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor ™ in Houston, Texas. She is also certified in AutPlay® and is working on a certification in Synergetic Play Therapy as of 2024. She is the founder of Calming Communities Counseling & Wellness, PLLC, an affirming family therapy agency focused on connecting parents, teachers, and kids with a deeper understanding of the neuroscience behind mental health to help our community raise confident, capable, and connected children. Robyn has been providing play therapy for ten years and play therapy trainings for more than seven years, and has presented locally, nationally, and internationally. Robyn’s trainings focus on Adlerian play therapy, neuroaffirming play therapy, and neuroscience-based parenting strategies. Finally, Robyn is a published author of several children’s books focused on child mental health and social navigation topics. She has also published in APT’s Play Today Magazine, several scientific journals, Dr. Grant’s Play Interventions for Neurodivergent Children and Adolescents and Liana Lowenstein’s Assessment and Treatment Activities for Children, Adolescents, and Families.

References

  • Daniel, S., Berkovits, L., Eisenhower, A., & Blacher, J. (2025). Child-centred play therapy and rhythmic relating improves emotion regulation in autism: A single-N pilot intervention study. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 25(1). https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12671 Dion, L., & Gray, K. (2014). Impact of therapist authentic expression on emotional tolerance in synergetic play therapy. International Journal of Play Therapy, 23(1), 55–67. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0035495. Frawley, C., & Dillman Taylor, D. (2024). The relational change mechanisms of child-centered play therapy with children exposed to adverse childhood experiences. Journal of Counseling & Development, 102(2), 153–162. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12500 Gupta, N., Chaudhary, R., Gupta, M., Ikehara, L.-H., Zubiar, F., & Madabushi, J. S. (2023). Play therapy as effective options for school-age children with emotional and behavioral problems: A case series. Cureus, 15(6), Article e40093. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.40093 Lin, Y.-W., & Bratton, S. C. (2015). A meta-analytic review of child-centered play therapy approaches. Journal of Counseling & Development, 93(1), 45–58. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1556-6676.2015.00180.x Perryman, K. L., Robinson, S., Schoonover, T. J., & Conroy, J. (2024). Psychophysiological insights into child-centered play therapy for trauma: A case study. Trauma Care, 4(3), 208–218. https://doi.org/10.3390/traumacare4030019 Simmons, J. (2020). Moving toward regulation using Synergetic Play Therapy. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 54(3), 242–258. Townsend, B. J., Ishman, L., Dion, L., & Carnes-Holt, K. L. (2021). An examination of child-centered play therapy and Synergetic Play Therapy. Journal of Child and Adolescent Counseling, 7(3), 193–206. https://doi.org/10.1080/23727810.2021.1964931

CE Process Info

Content

  • Materials
    1 parts
    • Powerpoint
  • Video
    1 parts
    • Video

FAQs

  • CC Grievance Policy
    Calming Communities Training Institute Grievance Policy Calming Communities Training Institute is committed to providing high-quality continuing education in a professional, ethical, inclusive, and respectful learning environment. All educational activities are conducted in accordance with applicable professional ethical standards, continuing education requirements, and relevant laws and regulations. Calming Communities Training Institute does not discriminate in its promotional activities, educational content, admission to programs, or treatment of participants on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, culture, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, neurotype, socioeconomic status, or other protected status. Calming Communities Training Institute recognizes that concerns or complaints may occasionally arise. Participants are encouraged to communicate concerns so that they can be addressed fairly, respectfully, and as promptly as possible. Raising a concern or filing a grievance will not result in retaliation or adversely affect a participant’s ability to participate in future educational activities. Informal Concerns When appropriate and comfortable, participants may discuss concerns directly with the presenter or training staff during or following an educational activity. Participants are not required to address a concern directly with the presenter before contacting Calming Communities Training Institute. Concerns may involve, but are not limited to: * Training content or instructional materials * Presenter conduct or teaching practices * Continuing education requirements or credit * Accessibility or accommodations * Registration or administrative processes * Training facilities or technology * Discrimination, harassment, or other concerns regarding the learning environment Calming Communities Training Institute will make reasonable efforts to address informal concerns promptly. Formal Grievances Participants who wish to submit a formal grievance may do so in writing to: Robyn D. Reyna, Program Reviewer Calming Communities Training Institute business@calmingcommunities.com The written grievance should include sufficient information to understand the concern, including the training involved, the nature of the complaint, and the resolution being requested when applicable. Receipt of the grievance will be acknowledged, and the matter will be reviewed as promptly and impartially as reasonably possible. Additional information may be requested when necessary to fully evaluate the concern. A written response will be provided within 30 days of receipt of the grievance whenever reasonably possible. Resolution Depending upon the circumstances, resolution may include corrective action, clarification of policies or continuing education requirements, modification of procedures, transfer or credit toward another educational activity, partial or full refund when appropriate, or another reasonable remedy. The specific resolution will depend upon the circumstances of the grievance and applicable continuing education requirements. Appeals If a participant is dissatisfied with the resolution of a formal grievance, the participant may submit a written request for reconsideration within 30 days of receiving the written decision. When possible, an appeal will be reviewed by an individual who was not directly involved in the original complaint. If an independent reviewer is not reasonably available, Calming Communities Training Institute will take reasonable steps to ensure that the appeal receives a fair and impartial review. The participant will receive written notification of the final decision. Confidentiality and Non-Retaliation Information related to grievances will be handled as confidentially as reasonably possible while allowing Calming Communities Training Institute to appropriately investigate and respond to the concern. Participants will not be subjected to retaliation for raising a good-faith concern, submitting a grievance, requesting an accommodation, or participating in the grievance-review process. Questions regarding this policy or the grievance process may be directed to business@calmingcommunities.com.
  • CELS Grievance
    If a grievance arises pertaining to continuing education activities or processes, please contact Tyler Gibson via confidential email to tyler@celearningsystems.com or Kimberly Daniels via confidential email to kdanielspsyd.com as soon as possible, so that the nature of the concern may be addressed in a timely fashion.
  • APT approved provider info
    CE Process Info: APT Approved Provider 22-677Training is provided by a Texas LPC-S and counts for the minimum 50% approved provider requirement of the Texas Administrative Code.
  • Refund Policy
    Refund & Cancellation Policy We understand that plans change! Calming Communities Training Institute strives to make our cancellation and refund policies fair to participants while honoring the time, preparation, and resources involved in providing high-quality continuing education. Live Trainings Cancellations received 14 or more days before the scheduled training are eligible for a full refund, minus any non-refundable payment processing fees. Cancellations received less than 14 days before the training are not eligible for a refund. However, when possible, the registration fee may be transferred to another Calming Communities Training Institute training of equal or lesser value. Registrations may also be transferred to another participant when requested at least 24 hours prior to the start of the training. Participants who do not attend a scheduled training and have not contacted us in advance are considered no-shows and are not eligible for a refund or transfer. Hybrid Trainings When a training is offered both in person and virtually, participants may request to switch between attendance formats when space and technology allow. Changing attendance format does not guarantee that continuing education requirements will be identical for each format. On-Demand Trainings Because participants receive access to digital educational content immediately after purchase, on-demand and prerecorded training purchases are generally non-refundable once course content has been accessed. If you experience a technical problem that prevents you from accessing a purchased course, please contact us so we can help resolve the issue. Training Cancellation or Rescheduling If Calming Communities Training Institute cancels a training, participants will receive a full refund of the registration fee or may choose to transfer their registration to another eligible training. If a training must be rescheduled, participants may attend on the new date, transfer their registration when an appropriate alternative is available, or request a refund. Calming Communities Training Institute is not responsible for travel, lodging, childcare, lost wages, or other expenses incurred as a result of a training cancellation or schedule change. Continuing Education Credit Registration or attendance does not automatically guarantee continuing education credit. Participants are responsible for completing all attendance, participation, evaluation, post-test, and other requirements applicable to the training and the continuing education approval being requested. Failure to complete required continuing education components does not qualify a participant for a refund. Exceptional Circumstances We recognize that emergencies happen. Requests related to significant unexpected circumstances may be considered individually. Please contact Calming Communities Training Institute as soon as possible so we can determine what options may be available. By registering for a Calming Communities Training Institute program, participants acknowledge and agree to this Refund & Cancellation Policy.
  • Course Completion
    To complete the course, review the course objectives, then watch the video power point presentations following along with the corresponding pdf, and lastly complete an evaluation. Your certificate will be available to download immediately when you complete the evaluation. Note that you can not continue in the course until you complete the previous section.
  • Non-discrimination Policy
    Kimberly M. Daniels, L.L.C., and CE-GO.com do not discriminate against any individual or group concerning any service, program, or activity provided based on gender, race, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression, ability, economic status, religion, age, organizational membership, or any other basis prohibited by law.
A Taste of Synergetic Play Therapy
You Have Completed This course
$75
You are enrolled
  • CE Hours
    3
  • Type
    Self-Paced
  • Publication Date
    Sep 21st, 2026

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