Previous Conference Information

2025 Annual Fall Conference

  • Trauma Informed Supervision: Expressive Approaches in Play Therapy Supervision presented by Sueann Kenney-Noziska (September 10, 2025)
  • Integrative Play Therapy for the Treatment of Childhood Abuse and Trauma presented by Sueann Kenney-Noziska (September 11, 2025)
  • The Intersection of Play Therapy and Childhood Sexual Abuse presented by Sueann Kenney-Noziska (September 12, 2025)

2025 Annual Spring Conference (April 11, 2025)

  • Expressive Arts in Play Therapy: A Keynote Panel on the Use of Art, Drama and Music in Clinical Work with Children. Moderated by Dr. Andrew Beer, Ph.D., LMFT, RPT-S
  • Behind the Locked Door: What Really Goes on at a Child Advocacy Center for Play Therapists- Sunnycho Teeling, LMHC, NCC
  • Cultural Considerations In Play Therapy- Joella Gerber LISW, RPT-S and Emma Harding LMFT
  • Rhythms of Resilience: Fostering Emotional Wellness Through Music in Play Therapy PART ONE and PART TWO- Miranda Peyton, LISW, MT-BC, and Erica Wassenaar, LMHC
  • Using Early Recollections in Adlerian Play Therapy- Terry Kottman and Nikki Pauli
  • Trauma Work and Children: What I Was Never Told- Sunnycho Teeling, LMHC, NCC
  • Working with the Grown-Ups from a Relational Parenting Perspective- Kate Haberman, LISW, MFT, RPT-S, CTP
  • Crucial Cs in Adlerian Play Therapy: All kids could use a little boost!- Nikki Pauli

2024 Annual Fall Conference

  • Welcome to Iowa: Fields of Opportunities for Ethical Play Therapy Dilemmas in Rural Communities presented by Nikki Pauli (September 11, 2024)
  • Considering Temperament for Conceptualization and Intervention in Adlerian Play Therapy presented by Nikki Pauli (September 12, 2024)
  • Let’s get Messy: Play Therapy with Divorced and Blended Families presented by Nikki Pauli (September 13, 2024)

2024 Annual Spring Conference (April 12, 2024)

  • Across Disciplines: Somatic Approaches & Play Therapy- Jess Pladsen
  • Familial Encouraging Connection Therapy (FECT): Promote Parent Involvement with Adlerian Play Therapy- Nikki Pauli & Erica Wassenaar
  • Conceptualizing Play Therapy from a Systemic Approach- Kate Haberman
  • Understanding and Using the Self in Play Therapy- Joella Gerber
  • Unlocking Healing Through Play: A History of Play Therapy- Erica Wassenaar
  • Building Bridges of Neurodiversity: Integrating Play Therapy and Occupational Therapy in the Play Room- Nolan Vitzthum
  • How to Care for Gender Diverse Children in the Age of Queer Erasure: A Guide for Play Therapists- Heather Sowada, PhD, LMFT & Remi Andrews, LMFT, RPT

2023 Annual Fall Conference

  • Technology and Ethics in Distance Play Therapy Supervision presented by Franc Hudspeth (September 20, 2023)
  • Addressing the Impact of Bullying from a Complex Trauma Perspective by Utilizing Neurobiologically-Informed Play Therapy presented by Franc Hudspeth (September 21, 2023)
  • The Disruptive Child in Play Therapy: Conceptualizing and Treating Disruptions from all Angles presented by Franc Hudspeth (September 22, 2023)

2023 Annual Spring Conference (April 21, 2023)

  • Boards, Complaints, and Ethics in Play Therapy: Protecting Ourselves and Our Clients With Tony Raymer, LISW, RPT-S
  • Beyond Toys:  Integrating Culture into Your Playroom With Sunnycho Teeling, MA, LMHC
  • Letter Writing for Gender Affirming Care 101:  A Play Therapist’s Guide With Heather Sowada, PhD, LMFT & Remi Andrews, MA, LMFT, RPT
  • Bibliotherapy: Using Books in Play Therapy (Beginning) With Joella Gerber, LISW, RPT
  • Moving Through Play Therapy:  Incorporating Movement and Dance in Play Therapy With Nikole Pauli, LMHC, NCC, RPT-S, CAdPT & Ellen Daly, LISW, RPT-S, CAdPT

2022 Annual Fall Conference

  • Exploring Our Ethical Responsibility When Working with the Court System presented by Kate Haberman (September 21, 2022)
  • Play Therapy for Children with a History of Trauma/Attachment Difficulties presented by Dr. Sue Bratton (September 22, 2022)
  • Expressive Arts in Play Therapy Across the Lifespan: Therapeutic Use of Symbol, Image, & Metaphor presented by Dr. Sue Bratton (September 23, 2022)

2022 Inaugural Spring Conference

  • Play Therapy in the Epoch of COVID
  • Cultivating Compassion Resilience in Play Therapy Supervision
  • Play Therapy Interventions for Attachment Needs
  • Exploring Spirituality in Play Therapy
  • Gender-Affirming Care for Trans and Non-binary Children & Teens

2021 Annual Conference

  • The Secret Ingredient to Long-lasting Play Therapy Results: Family Approaches to Play Therapy, presented by Risë VanFleet (September 9, 2021)
  • Play-Based Interventions for Children and Families with Trauma and Attachment Challenges, presented by Risë VanFleet (September 10, 2021)
  • Play Therapy Supervision: Recognizing & Managing Countertransference, presented by Jennifer Null (September 8, 2021)
IAPT 2021-Conference BrochureDownload

2020 Annual Conference

  • Jungian Analytical Play Therapy: A Deeper Understanding of Children’s Play, presented by J.P. Lilly (September 10 & 11, 2020)
  • Ethics & Other Expectations of Play Therapist, presented by Dr. Kristin Meany-Walen (Sept. 9, 2020)
IAPT 2020-Conference BrochureDownload

2019 Annual Conference

  • A Relationally Sensitive Neurobiological Approach to Play Therapy, presented by Dr. Rick Gaskill (September 12 & 13, 2019)
  • Supervision in Play Therapy: Integrating Therapist Wellness, presented by Dr. Kristin Meany-Walen (September 11, 2019)
IAPT 2019-Conference BrochureDownload

2018 Annual Conference

  • Play Therapy with Teens & Tweens: Individual & Family Interventions, presented by Dr. Jeff Ashby (September 13, 2018)
  • Play Therapy with Angry & Aggressive Clients, presented by Dr. Jeff Ashby (September 14, 2018)
  • The Ethics of Play Therapy in a Changing World, presented by Dr. Jeff Ashby (September 12, 2018)
IAPT 2018-Conference BrochureDownload

2017 Annual Conference

  • Expressive Arts and Play Therapy Strategies for Adolescents, presented by Dr. Kara Holt (September 14, 2017)
  • Healing Rational Trauma & Attachments Through Humanistic Play Therapy, presented by Dr. Kara Holt (September 15, 2017)
  • The Journey Within: Play Therapy & Expressive Art Strategies for Counseling Supervision (September 13, 2017)
IAPT 2017-Conference BrochureDownload

2016 Annual Conference

  • Innovative Evidence-Based Interventions for Traumatized Children, presented by Liana Lowenstein (September 22, 2016)
  • Creative Family Therapy Techniques, presented by Liana Lowenstein (September 23, 2016)
  • Ethics for Play Therapists, presented by Dr. Kristin Meany-Walen (September 21, 2016)
IAPT 2016-Conference BrochureDownload

Previous Trainings

  • Let’s Get Regulated: Trauma-Informed Play Therapy Interventions That Improve Regulation for Youth and Families by Jen Alexander, M.A., NCC, SB-RPT (June 20, 2025)
  • Play Therapy and Working with the Courts by Kate Haberman, LISW, MFT, RPT-S (January 16, 2025)
  • Superheroes and Pop Culture in Play Therapy by Sophia Ansari, LPCC, RPT (November 3, 2023)
  • Using Play to Build & Heal Lost & Wounded Attachments by Kate Haberman, LISW, MFT, RPT-S & Holly van Gulden (August 11 & 12, 2022)
  • Integrating Play Therapy Theories and EMDR, presented by Kim Feeney, Denise Folsom, & JaCarie Owens (August 28, 2021)
  • Working with the Courts as a Play Therapist, presented by Kate Haberman (August 27, 2021)
  • Expanding Expression: Utilization of Art-Based Interventions in Play Therapy, presented by Kim Feeney & Madison Musson (April 17, 2021)