The University of Arkansas Office of Play Therapy Research and Training will present a two-day workshop to offer students and professional mental health practitioners the opportunity to gain 12 continuing education units toward becoming a registered play therapist or certified child parent relationship therapy trainer.

The workshop will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 12 and 13. Online registration is open now. The cost for professionals will go up after April 1. The workshop will be held at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 224 N. East Ave., Fayetteville.

Garry Landreth, founder of the Center for Play Therapy at the University of North Texas, will lead the workshop focusing on the dynamic relationship facets of training parents to be therapeutic agents in their children's lives. Landreth is a licensed professional counselor and registered play therapist who is internationally recognized for his writing and work in promoting the development of child-centered play therapy.

Using a format of didactic instruction, demonstration play sessions, required at-home play sessions, and supervision, parents learn basic child-centered play therapy principles and skills including tracking, responsive listening, reflecting feelings, returning responsibility to children, the ACT model of limit setting, building children's self-esteem and how to structure weekly 30-minute play sessions with their children using a special kit of selected toys.

Kristi Perryman, U of A assistant professor of counselor education and licensed professional counselor, directs the Office of Play Therapy Research in the College of Education and Health Professions.