Introduction to Theraplay©: Healing Relationships Through Connection and Play

Who this is for

Adoption practitioners and managers (Voluntary Adoption Agencies, Regional Adoption Agencies, Local Authorities, and independent social workers), children’s social care services, children and family social workers, foster carers, kinship carers, designated teachers, and other professionals working with children and families.

Details

This session offers an insightful introduction to Theraplay©, a powerful, relationship-focused approach designed to help children and caregivers reconnect, regulate their emotions together, and foster a deep sense of trust. Drawing on years of clinical expertise and leadership at Family Futures, Jay Vaughan will demonstrate how Theraplay© can promote healing and attachment through interactive, playful, and carefully tailored sessions.

During the training, participants will learn about the key elements and principles of Theraplay©, the process of becoming a qualified Theraplay Practitioner, and the role of the MIM (Marschak Interaction Method) as a valuable assessment tool.

This taster session is designed for professionals who want to find out more about Theraplay© — whether you’re considering adding it to your practice or referring children and families for intervention.

Family Futures is a UK centre for Theraplay© training, with a team of qualified and experienced practitioners who specialise in working with children and families affected by trauma. Theraplay© is used nationally and internationally to help vulnerable children feel secure, cared for, connected, and valued.

Please note this webinar introduces the approach and is not a Theraplay© qualification.

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate basic knowledge of the Theraplay© model, a model of play therapy with its roots in Attachment Theory with modifications for Trauma
• Describe how the Theraplay© dimensions of Structure, Engagement, Nurture and Challenge are used to meet children’s needs and address behaviour problems
• Explain basic knowledge of how the MIM is utilized to assess the parent-child relationship and to plan treatment or other interventions
• Explain how parents participate in Theraplay© sessions and the dyadic model

About the trainer

Jay Vaughan

Jay is the Clinical Director at Family Futures CIC and the CEO. She is a certified Theraplay therapist and supervisor as well as a Theraplay trainer. She is also a Dramatherapist, Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapist and Somatic Experience Practitioner. Jay also has an MBE for her work with children and young people.

Jay has been working with traumatised children since qualifying as a Dramatherapist in 1989, and passionately believes in the use of arts, play and body-based approaches in helping traumatised children and their families heal.

Jay’s extensive clinical experience with children and families has informed the Family Futures therapy model, Neuro Physiological Psychotherapy (NPP), which is research-evidenced to significantly improve outcomes for children with high levels of Adverse Childhood Experiences and trauma. This NPP model integrates Theraplay as one of the core modalities.

Instructions

A member of staff will be in touch with attendees one week prior to the event to share a pre-event delegate pack.

If you have any questions regarding this webinar, please contact us at [email protected]. We will aim to answer your query within two working days.

CVAA accept online payments only. In case you do not have instant access to your company card, we suggest using your personal card instead to book a training event and claim it back with your agency in your expenses. Requesting an invoice to pay for our standard practice events is not possible.