THERAPLAY: Level One & MIM

Theraplay Level 1 & MIM

Theraplay® is an evidenced-based, attachment-focused intervention utilising non-symbolic, interactional play to re-create experiences of secure attachment formation between parent and child. Therapist-guided short-term, dyadic therapy focuses on improving the child’s behavioural and emotional challenges through the parent-child relationship. In a session, the therapist guides the parent and child through playful games, challenging activities, and nurturing interactions. Theraplay® helps the child experience previously difficult interactions in new ways, helps overcome fear/ shame, increase trust, and create a positive change in the child’s sense of self. Theraplay® helps the parent be attuned to the child, understand the motives of the child’s behaviour and the underlying needs, manage environmental stimuli, and carefully challenge their child in a safe place. While other therapies may work primarily with the child alone or work with parents on managing the child’s behaviours, Theraplay® has shown that the parent-child relationship is the most powerful and influential element for change. It is also a complementary approach to Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (developed by Dan Hughes).

Theraplay® has been used successfully to help:

• Children with developmental trauma
• Shy, withdrawn children
• Overactive, controlling or aggressive children
• Foster/adoptive children with attachment difficulties
• Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder & Pervasive Development Disorder
• Children with physical disabilities, developmental delays or those who are non-verbal
• Children who live in group settings
• Early childhood students and others who receive services in group settings

You will learn:

• History, core concepts & evidence base of Theraplay®
• The four dimensions of Theraplay®: Structure, Engagement, Nurture & Challenge. Undertake activities for each of the dimensions
• Administer the Marshack Interaction Method (MIM) & analyse it at a beginning level
• Conduct feedback sessions with parents based upon the MIM analysis
• Use the MIM as a guideline for Theraplay® treatment planning
• Observe demonstrations of Theraplay® treatment and techniques
• Practice Theraplay® activities in dyads
• Identify the types of behaviours that require a particular dimension
• Utilise the four Theraplay® dimensions to treat the specific needs of a child
• How Theraplay® is applied to meet the needs of children with behaviour problems, foster and adopted children, children with ASD, & older children
• How to guide parents to participate in a Theraplay® treatment session

Participants must attend all hours of the course to receive the certificate.

Audience: for Education and Mental Health Professionals at All Levels & Any Professional that Applies Behavioural & Developmental Science to their Practice.

Mental Health Professionals: All mental health professionals including, but not limited to Social Workers, Psychologists, Nurses, Occupational Therapists, Youth Workers, Mental Health Workers, Family Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Residential Care Workers and Foster Support Worker, Play Therapists, and all other mental health professionals looking to enhance their therapeutic skill with early childhood.

Education Professionals: Professionals who work with children or youth including, but not limited to K–12 School Counsellors, School Paraprofessionals and all other professionals who support behavioural challenges and complex learning needs.