CONFERENCE CAPACITY REACHED
Keynote: Robyn Gobbel LMSW-Clinical
DAY 1: Friday, February 24 - Keynote
All Behavior Makes Sense: Play Therapy with Children with Vulnerable Nervous Systems with Robyn Gobbel LMSW-Clinical
All behavior makes sense- except the ones that don’t! Some children have big, baffling behaviors that leave even seasoned play therapists confused, overwhelmed, burned-out or referring-out. This confusion leaves play therapists feeling ineffective and parents feeling hopeless.
Theories of human development and behavioral neuroscience, including polyvagal theory (Stephen Porges), the neurosequential model of therapeutics (Bruce Perry), and attachment theory (John Bowlby) help us make sense of even the most baffling behaviors in our play therapy clients. Understanding what behavior really is begins the roadmap for treatment planning. Play therapists (and parents) can stop playing behavior whack-a-mole and experience better client outcomes by shifting the focus away from behavior and toward the brain and autonomic nervous system.
Attendees will learn a playful paradigm that will decode even the most confusing behaviors in children, as well as in parents and even ourselves. When children learn how their challenging behaviors are the heroic ways their watchdog and possum brains are working hard to keep them safe, they can develop the inner felt safety to connect with and soothe these overworked and confused parts of self. Playfully connecting to our client’s inner communities decreases shame and increases integration, ultimately decreasing challenging behaviors.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After attending this workshop, participants will be able to
- List the 2 branches of the autonomic nervous system and how they respond during play therapy
- Describe how a sensitized stress response system contributes to confusing and baffling behaviors in play therapy clients
- List 3 parts of play therapy clients’ inner communities that often present in play therapy
- Identify 3 play therapy techniques that strengthen a play therapy client’s ‘owl’ brain (ventral vagal complex)
- Identify 3 play therapy techniques that bring safety to a play therapy client’s ‘watchdog’ brain (sympathetic nervous system)
- Identify 3 play therapy techniques that bring safety to a play therapy client’s ‘possum’ brain (dissociation continuum/dorsal vagal complex)
*falls under APT's primary instruction areas of "Play Therapy Special Topics”
DAY 2: Saturday, February 26
Morning – 3 hour Session: 2/25/23 - 8:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
Supporting Resistant Play Therapy Parents and Caregivers with Robyn Gobbel LMSW-Clinical
Many play therapists report that working with resistant and uncooperative play therapy parents is the most stressful part of their job. This stress contributes to compassion fatigue, decreased satisfaction in our work, and some play therapists even leave the field. Play therapists can rediscover confidence and contentedness in their work by applying the theory of the autonomic nervous system to play therapy parents, seeing their resistant and uncooperative behaviors as signs of stress. Workshop participants will learn a step-by-step process for connecting with -- and setting boundaries with -- even the most challenging parent or caregiver.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After attending this workshop, participants will be able to
- Describe challenging parent behavior through the lens of the autonomic nervous system
- Identify 6 steps to take when connecting with resistant play therapy parents and caregivers
- Identify a 3-step process to setting boundaries with challenging play therapy client behavior
*falls under APT's primary instruction areas of "Play Therapy Special Topics"
Afternoon – 3 hour Session: 2/25/23 - 1:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Working with Toxic Shame in Play Therapy with Robyn Gobbel LMSW-Clinical
Toxic shame often presents itself as such confusing and overwhelming behaviors that the origins of those behaviors - the toxic shame- go unnoticed. The treatment intervention for shame is compassion. Unfortunately, it is very hard for even the most experienced play therapist to stay regulated and compassionate when they are confronted with shame-based behaviors like fury, destruction, or dissociation. Therefore, the first step in working with toxic shame in the play therapy room is understanding the neurobiology underneath. The second step is exploring how toxic shame impacts our own nervous system. Next, play therapists can stay firmly rooted in their stance of compassion and curiosity- the antidote to shame.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After attending this workshop, participants will be able to
- Describe the neurobiological underpinnings of toxic shame in play therapy clients
- Identify three shame-based behaviors that often go misidentified in play therapy clients
- Develop a plan to help the play therapist stay regulated and compassionate in the face of dysregulated and shame-based behaviors from play therapy clients
*falls under APT's primary instruction areas of "Play Therapy Special Topics”
PRESENTER BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION:
Robyn Gobbel, LMSW-Clinical, has 20 years of practice in family and child therapy experience, specializing in complex trauma, attachment, and adoption. Robyn is a therapist, trainer, and consultant who recently relocated to Grand Rapids, MI from Austin, TX. Robyn’s diverse clinical training includes EMDR (including EMDR adapted for children with attachment trauma), Somatic Experiencing, Theraplay, Trust Based Relational Intervention®, Circle of Security Parent Educator, The Alert Program® and Yogapeutics Aerial Yoga Level 1 Teacher Training. Robyn has integrated these training modalities with a foundation of attachment theory and the relational neurosciences to create an attachment-rich, sensory-sensitive, and relational neurosciences supported healing environment for children and families. Robyn consults, teaches, and trains extensively throughout the US. She previously served as an instructor for the Foundations of Interpersonal Neurobiology Certificate Program at Portland Community College as well as with the Adoptive & Foster Family Therapy Post-Graduate Certificate Program. Robyn has served on the working board of the Global Association for Interpersonal Neurobiology Studies (GAINS). Her first book, Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors: Brain-Body-Sensory Strategies that Really Work, will be published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers in late spring 2023.
And her playful side?
Robyn loves coffee, P!NK, and everything about the brain. Once (recently!) her teenager went ballistic on her for getting ANOTHER (glitter!) coffee mug in the mail. Robyn loves cultivating deep, resonant connections with anyone who is up for it, and is especially fond of all the grown-ups in the world who love and care for kids impacted by trauma- helpers, healers, educators, and parents. Her favorite thing ever (besides glittery coffee mugs) is teaching anyone who will listen to harness the power of neuroscience so they can cultivate deep, resonant connections. What would change in the world if we could all do that? To see, be with, feel, and deeply know each other…and ourselves. Robyn thinks everything could change. You can get your hands on all sorts of free resources at www.RobynGobbel.com, including her podcast, Parenting after Trauma with Robyn Gobbel.
Thank you to our Supporting Sponsor:
REGISTRATION COSTS:
FOOD: Coffee, tea, & water are provided on site and included in the registration fee.
Lunch is on your own
Member:
One Day: $120
Both Days: $210
Non-Member:
One Day: $140
Both Days: $240
**Student:
One Day: $55
Both Days: $100
**Student: A participant registering as “student” must be a full-time student at a college or university and provide a written letter from their university verifying the status.
***An early bird registration discount of $25 has been applied to prices listed above. $25 will be added to registration costs after 2/1/22.
*Continuing Education:
CE Processing Fee: $30. This fee is payable to The Institute for Continuing Education at the time you submit a completed CE Packet. DO NOT include this fee with your registration.
CONFERENCE LOCATION: ***NEW***
Hilton Garden Inn Lansing West
633 N Canal Road, Lansing, MI 48917
WORKSHOP SCHEDULE:
Friday, February 24, 2023
08:30 - 09:00 a.m. Registration
09:00 - 10:30 a.m. Presentation
10:30 - 10:45 a.m. Break and Exhibits
10:45 - 12:15 p.m. Presentation
12:15 – 12:30 p.m. MIAPT Annual Business Meeting
12:30 - 01:45 p.m. Lunch ON YOUR OWN
01:45 - 3:15 p.m. Presentation
03:15 - 3:30 p.m. Break and Exhibits
03:30 - 5:00 p.m. Presentation
Saturday, February 25, 2023
08:00 - 08:30 a.m. Registration
08:30 - 10:00 a.m. Morning Presentation
10:00 - 10:15 a.m. Break and Exhibits
10:15 - 11:45 a.m. Presentation
11:45 - 01:00 p.m. Lunch ON YOUR OWN
01:00 - 02:30 p.m. Afternoon Breakout Presentations
02:30 - 2:45 p.m. Break and Exhibits
02:45 - 4:15 p.m. Presentation
04:15 p.m. Conference concludes
*NEW*HOTEL INFORMATION: There is a block of discounted rooms available at the venue site: Hilton Garden Inn Lansing West, 633 N Canal Road, Lansing, MI 48917, 844-209-3921. Click here to book your room.
HANDOUTS: Our policy is to email all handouts. Please include a valid email address with your registration to receive the handouts.
EXHIBITS: Books and therapeutic materials will be on display and available for sale Friday & Saturday.
CANCELLATION POLICY: If you notify MIAPT you are canceling prior to 2/1/2023, and we are able to fill your spot, you will receive a refund for the registration fee minus $25 administrative fee. No refunds will be issued for cancellations following 02/01/2023 or related to weather.
If registration payment isn't received within 14 days of registration or by February 1, 2023 (whichever comes first), your registration will be canceled.
PHOTO RELEASE: By registering for this conference, you are giving permission for MIAPT and APT to use any photographs that are taken at the event containing your likeness for as long as MIAPT deems appropriate and desirable. Photographs may be used for any purpose, such as the MIAPT website, social media, and newsletters. By completing the registration, you are also consenting to waive any rights to the photographs indefinitely.
If you do not wish to have your photo used, it is your responsibility to notify mymiapt@gmail.com at registration of your request to be omitted.
HEALTH AND SAFETY: Covid 19 Statement: Our goal is to offer a safe, healthy event to our in-person participants. We expect our participants (including vendors, speakers, and attendees) to make a good faith effort to avoid spreading Covid-19 through a combination of vaccination, negative rapid testing and self-screening for symptoms prior to travel, and to adhere to any public health policies that may be in place at the time of the event. By registering and attending this event you are accepting responsibility to manage to your own risk and absolve MIAPT event planners of responsibility for your health-related decisions.
By participating in person, you agree to follow the meeting’s health and safety policies as mandated by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the federal, state, local government, and venue requirements.
ACCEPTANCE: By registering for and attending MIAPT events, I hereby agree that I accept the terms stated above and indemnify and hold harmless MIAPT, its affiliates, and their respective directors, employees, and agents (including, without limitation, any agent acting on its behalf) from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs or debt, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) resulting from attendance at MIAPT events.
Michigan Association for Play Therapy: MIAPT is a professional organization striving to advance the theory and practice of play therapy through activities such as conferences, seminars, and networking in order to serve the mental health needs of Michigan children, families, schools and communities. For more information on the Conference visit our website at www.miapt.org.
CONTINUING EDUCATION: This workshop for mental health professionals is co-sponsored by the MI Assn. Play Therapy and the Institute for Continuing Education. CE credit is offered for the disciplines listed below. The program offers 12.00 CE contact hours (6.00 hrs. per day), with full attendance required for the days attended. The CE processing fee is $30 and is payable by participants with completed CE Packets. The $30.00 CE fee should not be included with registration. Application forms for other CE materials will be available on site. CE verification is mailed to attendees following the program. To receive CE credit, participants must complete all CE paperwork, sign in/out at designated locations, and submit a completed evaluation of the program. If you have questions regarding CE credit, the program, learning objectives, or grievance issues, contact The Institute at: instconted@aol.com.
Note: It is the responsibility of participants to determine if CE credit offered by The Institute for Continuing Education meet the regulations of their licensing/certification board.
Note: This program offers no “ethics” hours. CE hours offered are not “academic” and may not be utilized toward fulfillment of a degree.
Counseling/ MFT: For counseling seeking CE credit, The Institute will submit a co-sponsorship application to NBCC for this program. This website will be updated regarding approval by NBCC.
Social Work: The Institute for Continuing Education is recognized as a provider of continuing education by the Indiana Board of Social Work, Counseling, MFT, Provider 98000996-A, expiration 04/01/2024.
Play Therapy: The Institute for Continuing Education is approved by The Association for Play Therapy to sponsor continuing education specific to play therapy. The Institute maintains responsibility for the program. APT Approved Provider 98-040.
Nursing: The Institute for Continuing Education is an approved continuing education provider by the California Board of Nursing, Provider CEP 12646.
ADA/Section 504: If you have special needs, please contact mymiapt@gmail.com.
