Group Play Therapy: Creative Techniques and Troubleshooting Ideas
Topics: Play Therapy, Group Therapy, Social Skills
Audience: Professional Counselors, Social Workers, Psychologists, Play Therapists, Marriage & Family Therapists (MFT)
On-demand Course
Instant Access
Group Play Therapy: Creative Techniques and Troubleshooting Ideas
Liana Lowenstein
MSW, RSW, CPT-S
Celebrated Play Therapist - Canada
Certified TF-CBT Therapist
Liana Lowenstein is a Registered Social Worker, Certified Play Therapist-Supervisor, and Certified TF-CBT Therapist who has been working with children and their families in Toronto since 1988. Her 15 books are used by mental health professionals all over the world. She is a dynamic speaker who has provided trainings throughout North America and abroad, including China, South Africa, Israel, England, New Zealand, Australia, and Slovenia. She is winner of the Monica Herbert award for outstanding contribution to play therapy in Canada.
Show MoreAll times listed are EST (New York time). All prices are USD.
Course Overview
Skills and Methods: 3 CE
Total Play Therapy CE Hours: 3 CE
Group play therapy enables busy therapists with scarce resources to work with more clients in a shorter amount of time, while capitalizing on the many benefits that groups have to offer. This dynamic and practical webinar will equip play therapists with the tools needed to run successful children’s therapy groups in a variety of settings including schools, mental health agencies, and in-patient units. Issues covered will include:
- Guidelines for developing successful play therapy groups
- Fun icebreakers to increase group cohesion
- Strategies to encourage participation among all group members, including resistant children and teens
- Ideas for encouraging meaningful group interactions
- Techniques for managing challenging behaviors
- Innovative activities for group termination
Both beginning and seasoned group facilitators will walk away with new and innovative activities and solutions to common challenges inherent in play therapy groups.
Note: Please remember to bring the following supplies to participate:
- Scissors
- Colored Markers
- 1 thick marker
- 4 pieces of paper
- Print the star template on page 50 of your handout
- List at least 3 key guidelines to consider when developing play therapy groups
- Describe at least 2 strategies to address common challenges in play therapy groups including engaging resistant participants and managing challenging behaviours
- Implement at least five play therapy techniques for use in children’s groups including icebreakers, psychoeducational activities, and termination activities
Epel N, Zohar AA, Artom A, Novak AM, Lev-Ari S. The Effect of Cognitive Behavioral Group Therapy on Children's Self-Esteem. Children (Basel). 2021 Oct 24;8(11):958. doi: 10.3390/children8110958. PMID: 34828671; PMCID: PMC8617969.
Haen, C., & Aronson, S. (2017). Handbook of Child and Adolescent Group therapy: A practitioner's reference. Routledge.
Melero S, Morales A, Espada JP, Méndez X, Orgilés M. Effectiveness of Group vs. Individual Therapy to Decrease Peer Problems and Increase Prosociality in Children. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Apr 9;18(8):3950. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18083950. PMID: 33918640; PMCID: PMC8069038.
Mellenthin, C., Stone, J., Grant, R. (Eds.) (2022). Implementing play therapy with groups. Routledge.
Nøvik TS, Haugan AJ, Lydersen S, et al. Cognitive-behavioural group therapy for adolescents with ADHD: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open. 2020;10(3):e032839.
Sweeney, D., Baggerly, J., and Ray, D. (2014). Group play therapy: A dynamic approach. Routledge.
Course Access Information:
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Group Play Therapy: Creative Techniques and Troubleshooting Ideas
Professional Counselors, Social Workers, Psychologists, Play Therapists, Marriage & Family Therapists (MFT)
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Core Wellness Reviews
Ms. Liana Lowenstein is a very knowledgeable and experienced play therapist who provides informative professional information, playful interventions and recourses regard to working with children and adolescents to facilitate the participant’s professional learning and growth. She also helps to contribute to the connection with mental health professionals and/or play therapists around the world in order to build an international play therapy community.
Read MoreRu-Chi Yang, Ph.D., Licensed Psychologist (US)
This presenter was very enjoyable and encouraged lots of group participation. She didn't just present the different group play activities but engaged the attendees to actually participate in the activities themselves. I liked her style of teaching and presenting the material.
Read MoreLive Participant
As one that is reluctant to host groups for children, this training effectively showed how it can be done giving me the confidence that I can execute a successful group.
Read MoreTangie White, LCPC
Liana always provides a consistent and thorough training. The experiential activities are wonderful and enhance the learning experience.
Read MoreMaria Aresco, LCSW, RPT
This was a great, interactive training and Liana clearly has a lot of knowledge and experience.
Read MoreLive Participant
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2026 - Core Wellness, LLC. All rights reserved. Some images may be for illustrative
purposes
only.
The distribution or usage of any course video or materials outside of personal use by the
purchaser
alone is strictly prohibited.
Copyright ©
2026 - Core Wellness, LLC. All rights reserved. Some images may be for illustrative
purposes
only.
The distribution or usage of any course video or materials outside of personal use by the
purchaser
alone is strictly prohibited.
