The sixth annual Office of Play Therapy Research and Training Conference, "Child Centered Play Therapy: Deeper Issues," will be held online Saturday, June 26.

Garry Landreth, internationally recognized for his writings and work in promoting the development of child-centered play therapy, will lead the interactive workshop. It will focus on a variety of issues that are not often examined in the field, including play therapy as a process of living out beliefs about a child rather than applying techniques, methods or skills; expectancy versus expectations; and returning responsibility to children.

Kristi Perryman, U of A associate professor of counselor education and a licensed professional counselor, directs the Office of Play Therapy Research and Training in the College of Education and Health Professions. She said the workshop will challenge participants to look within and examine their core beliefs about children and the therapeutic process. Workshop activities will include personal experiential learning and videos of Landreth's play therapy sessions.

Landreth is a Regents Professor Emeritus in the Department of Counseling and founder of the Center for Play Therapy at the University of North Texas. His more than 150 journal articles, books and DVDs include the 2020 2nd edition Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT): An Evidence-Based 10-Session Filial Therapy Model and the accompanying 2020 2nd edition Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) Treatment Manual. Landreth's other recent publications include the DVD CPRT In Action: Four Couples In A CPRT Group and the 3rd edition of the Taylor & Francis best seller Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship. His CPRT Model received the Best Practices in Parent/Family Education Award. Landreth is Director Emeritus of the Association for Play Therapy (APT). He received the APT Lifetime Achievement Award and the APT Research Award.

Online registration is open now. Six play therapy credits are available to mental health professionals and graduate students enrolled in a mental health program. Contact Kristi Perryman at klperry@uark.edu for more information.