1. Tackling the Difficult Relationship: How to Use Creative Techniques to Gain Rapport Presented by Leah Probasco-Burns, LPC, RPT-S & Laura Probasco, LCSW, RPT-S, CDWF

2. Learning Objectives  Develop a greater understanding of why these students have difficulty opening up.  Understand the importance of using nonverbal techniques to help build strong relationships.  Walk away with ready to use expressive art and play therapy techniques to help these students achieve emotional success and important life skills.

3. Empathy vs. Sympathy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Evwgu369Jw

4. The Why’s  Discomfort  Disconnection  Shame ( I am not _____ enough or I will be enough when_____)  Fear of Vulnerability  Numbing

5. The Answers  People who have a sense of worthiness a sense of love and belonging believe they are worthy of love and belonging and have a sense of  courage to be imperfect(own their story)  Compassion (to be kind to self and then to others)  Connection(letting go of what they think they should be)  Fully embraced vulnerability(what makes them vulnerable makes them beautiful)

6. The Lessons  You are imperfect and you are wired for struggle but you are worthy of love and belonging  Let ourselves be deeply seen  Love with our whole hearts even when there is no guarantee  Practice gratitude and joy in the moments of fear  Believe we are enough

7. Why Play Therapy? You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation” -Plato -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_QIe_ODx2ghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_QIe_ODx2g

8. Marble Jar  Materials: Jar, marbles  Directions:

9. Word Poetry  Materials: Magnetic Words  Directions: Now- Stupid people, it’s hard, questions, tear Future- Trust, be happy, understand Self- give up, feel like screaming, Dad wants me to suffer Friends- safe, comfort, relief Now- Speed, circus, humiliate self Future- peaceful, vision, relief (God) Self- Train of thought, profound, love Family- wheel, gene pool, don’t know (don’t understand a lot of the time)

10. Story Telling Rocks  Materials: rocks with pictures on them  Directions

11. Change it Up  Materials: several pictures out of magazines, glue, scissors, construction paper, markers  Directions

12. Bravery Song  Materials: computer, phone, printers  Directions

13. Permission Cards  Materials: Notecards, Markers, writing utensils  Directions:

14. Playlist  Materials: computer, phone, printer, CD, or ability to make a playlist  Directions

15. Draw my Life  Materials: you tube, write board, dry erase markers  Directions

16. Let your Light Shine Materials: Glow Sticks, quote Directions:

17. Jar of Hope  Materials: Jar, rocks, paint pens, permanent markers, magazine clippings, glue, mod podge  Directions:

18. Gratitude Journal  Materials: blank journals, magazines (words and pictures), markers, paint, variety of craft material, etc.  Directions

19. Mantra  Materials: Paper, markers, paint pens, puffy paint, magazine clippings, quotes  Directions:

20. How to become and Play Therapist  must hold an active license in a mental health field such as counseling, psychology, or social work  150 hours of play therapy instruction or APT Approved Provider that specifically says the words “play therapy” in the course/training title  500 hours of working as a play therapist under the supervision of a RPT-S  50 hours of direct supervision in play therapy  State approved supervisors need to have additional training in supervision ww.a4pt.org

21. Questions Leah Probasco-Burns  Leah.Probasco@gmail.com Leah.Probasco@gmail.com Laura Probasco  Lauraprobasco@gmail.com Lauraprobasco@gmail.com Art of Play  Artofplay.org