The Language of Play

Art & Play Therapy Studios Presents:

The Language of Play:
Recognizing Trauma Expression in Child-Centered Play Therapy

Presented by:

Wes Davis, MA, LPC/S, CCPT

Date/Time:

Saturday August 9, 2025 - 8:30am - 4:00pm

Location:

Beauty for Ashes Counseling, LLC 1527 Wade Hampton Blvd., Greenville, SC 29609

Designed for:

Play therapists, counselors, clinical social workers, and supervised clinicians who incorporate play-based interventions, this training reinforces foundational child-centered principles while building competency in trauma-informed play therapy practice.

Cost:
$150

spaces are limited

**3 CEs/Supervision hrs included (LMSW, LISW, LPCA, LPC, LMFTA, LMFT, RPT)

Play therapy credit is only awarded to mental health professionals.

Based on the research of Wes Davis, this workshop will emphasizes the non-directive approach to play therapy, highlighting how children possess an innate capacity to work through trauma when provided with appropriate therapeutic conditions.

This series of experiential workshops gave me the tools and strategies I needed to build a Child-centered play therapy practice.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will identify trauma-related themes and patterns in children's play by recognizing specific toy preferences, repetitive play sequences, and symbolic representations that may indicate traumatic experiences or unresolved trauma responses.

Participants will be able to distinguish between healthy trauma processing and trauma-related stuckness in the play therapy environment by observing behavioral indicators, play progression patterns, and the child's ability to move through traumatic material versus becoming fixated or overwhelmed.

Participants will be able to apply non-directive play therapy principles to create therapeutic conditions that support children's natural capacity for trauma recovery while maintaining appropriate therapeutic boundaries and safety within the play space.

“This training is perfect for someone working toward their Registered Play Therapy Credential.”

Tentative Schedule:

August 9, 2025, 9:00AM – 12:00PM

8:30 AM-9:00 AM Registration/Check-in and Networking Meet and Greet


9:00 AM-9:15 AM Introduction of the presenter & intro to The Language of Play.


9:15 AM – 10:00 AM Identifying trauma-related themes and patterns in children's play


10:00 AM-10:45 AM Distinguishing between healthy trauma processing and trauma-related stuckness.


10:45 AM – 11:30 AM Applying non-directive play therapy principles.


11:30 AM – 12:00 PM Questions, final discussion, certificates and survey.

Group practice discounts available

Included with this workshop:

3 CEUs for LISW, LMSW, LPC, LMFT, RPT / Group Supervision Hours
(Play therapy credit is only awarded to mental health professionals.)

ABOUT Wes Davis, MA, LPC/S, CCPT:

Wes is a therapist at Art and Play Therapy Studios and Beauty for Ashes Counseling in Greenville, SC. He provides play therapy to children, adolescents, adults, and elders focusing trauma related situations. Wes is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor. www.Beautyforashescounseling.com - www.artandplaytherapystudios.com

Refund & Cancellation Policy: There will be a $25 cancellation fee per person up to 48 hours prior to the start of the first session, NO REFUNDS FOR CANCELLATIONS LESS THAN 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE.

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Play therapy credit is only awarded to mental health professionals.