Playful Approaches to Working with Suicidality in the Play Room
Presented by Teresa Paterson Bartch, LPC, LCPC, RPT-S™
Discover how to navigate suicidal ideation and non-suicidal self-harming behaviors in children and teens, utilizing approaches and interventions in Play Therapy. Identify the risk factors and protective factors, including the influence of traumatic experiences and attachment disruptions, that predict these behaviors. In this Play Therapy training, you will identify ways to assess for suicidal thoughts and behaviors with children and teens who are at risk for SI and non-suicidal self-harming behaviors. This training is designed to foster the Play Therapist’s confidence as they are confronted with these ethical dilemmas in Play Therapy, including working with the parents/guardians to promote healing and facilitate a safety plan that promotes resiliency.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES: After attending this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Identify themes in Play Therapy for children who are at risk with suicidal ideation and non-injurious self-harming behaviors
- Demonstrate three Play Therapy techniques to use with children with suicidal ideation and non-injurious self-harming behaviors
- Discuss how to use assessment tools and crisis planning in Play Therapy for children with suicidal ideation and self-harming behaviors
- Review the legal and ethical responsibilities of the Play Therapist while working with children and their parents
6 APT Non-Contact CE Available. APT Approved Provider 99-050.
This training/event has been applied for NASW-Michigan Chapter for 3.0 hours synchronous General social work CEs.
Trainings are not recorded.
Intermediate Level | Play Therapy Special Topics
ABOUT OUR PRESENTER: Teresa Paterson Bartch, LPC, LCPC, RPT-S™ is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor™. She owns Embark Counseling Services, a group practice in the Greater Kansas City Metropolitan Area, specializing in working with children and teens, from an attachment informed, family systems lens. She also owns ThriveBright Trainings and Consulting, where she actively trains and supervises professionals utilizing the therapeutic powers of play, and advanced EMDR Workshops. She has extensive experience providing trauma competent clinical services, along with her Therapy Dog in Training, Rafi Rose, as well as a board approved clinical supervisor in Missouri and Kansas. She completed her Play Therapy Training at Mid-America Nazarene University, and has authored numerous specialized Play Therapy trainings in working with children and adolescents, complex trauma, and developmental trauma, and has presented at the International Play Therapy Conference, as well as for various state Play Therapy Chapters. She utilizes Play Therapy, Family Systems and EMDR in her clinical work. She is a certified EMDR therapist and an EMDRIA Approved Consultant. She is an adjunct faculty member at Wichita State University, where she teaches the Foundations of Play Therapy and Advanced Topics in Play Therapy. She has served on the Kansas Counseling Association as President (2023-2025) and Executive Director (2025-2026), the Missouri Association for Play Therapy (2022-2026), and the Advisory Council Member of the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (2026).
VIRTUAL: This will be a virtual workshop. Participants will be awarded APT non-contact CE after successful completion of a post-test. Participants are requested to be present and visible throughout the presentation to facilitate engagement. MIAPT is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to Play Therapy. APT Approved Provider 99-050. MIAPT maintains responsibility for the program.
PHOTO RELEASE: By registering for this training, you are giving permission for MIAPT to use any photographs (screenshots) that are taken at the event containing your likeness for as long as MIAPT deems appropriate and desirable. Photographs may be used on the MIAPT website, social media pages, and/or newsletter for any purpose. 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 MIAPT of your request to be omitted.
CANCELLATION POLICY: If you notify MIAPT you are canceling, and we are able to fill your spot, you will receive a refund for the registration fee minus $20 administrative fee. Cancellation requests must be made in writing. No refunds after November 13, 2026.
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ADA/Section 504: If you have special needs, please contact mymiapt@gmail.com.
