Steady in the Storm: A Bottom-Up Approach to Trauma in Play Therapy

About this training

Watch a Real Class At Your Own Pace Trauma play can feel overwhelming. When a child begins to act out trauma themes in the playroom, even experienced therapists can feel unsure how to respond, what to tell parents, or how to stay grounded themselves. This training was created to change that. In Bottom-Up Trauma Play Therapy, you will learn a brain-based, nervous system–focused framework for understanding trauma expression in play, so you can feel confident and steady instead of reactive or uncertain. You will see why Child-Centered Play Therapy supports trauma healing, which activities engage different parts of the brain, and how to introduce nervous system education into your sessions. You will also practice mind-body exercises, art, and meditation activities to use with older clients to help them organize and integrate trauma experiences. At the same time, you will explore self-care practices to keep your own nervous system regulated, leaving you with tools for your clients and renewal for yourself. How This Training Can Help YOU ☀️ Finally understand what you’re seeing in the playroom. Learn to recognize trauma themes through a nervous system lens so you can respond with calm confidence instead of uncertainty. ☀️ Connect theory to real practice. Discover how bottom-up healing works through movement, sensory play, and symbolic expression rather than talk alone. ☀️ Support clients of all ages. Use art, mindfulness, and body-based tools that translate beautifully from children to teens and adults. ☀️ Stay grounded and regulated. Practice simple self-regulation strategies to keep your own nervous system steady, even in the midst of intense play. ☀️ Leave inspired. Walk away with a clearer understanding of trauma healing, renewed compassion for your clients, and practical interventions you can use right away. Learning Objectives Upon completion of this 4 CE course, participants will be able to: 🍎 Assess potential trauma risk factors and symptoms with play therapy clients and their parents/caregivers. 🍎 Explain the importance of regulation, attachment, the brain and nervous system, and safety in relation to trauma processing in the playroom. 🍎 Identify at least five indicators that play may be communicating or processing trauma and how/when to communicate trauma play to parents. 🍎 Use at least five play therapy interventions—both ecosystemic and child-centered for facilitating trauma processing in the playroom. 🍎 Describe how the therapist can stay regulated during and after intense trauma play therapy sessions and why it is important.