Program Details

Dates
Friday, December 19th, 2025

Training Format
Live Interactive Webinar

Location
Live Webinar - Zoom

Presenter
Demi Banchs, MA, LPC, RPT™
Demi Banchs CV 

Program Description

This program delves into the neurobiological underpinnings of play therapy, exploring how play influences brain development and healing. Participants will gain insights into the brain’s adaptive responses to play and how these responses facilitate emotional regulation, cognitive growth, and social connection. Practical applications will be discussed to help therapists integrate neurobiological principles into their play therapy practice.

Learning Objectives

  1. List at least two benefits of being a neurobiologically-informed play therapist
  2. Discuss how principles of neurodevelopment and neurobiology influence play therapy treatment, including their impact on intervention selection, sequencing, and therapeutic engagement.
  3. Identify the 10 core principles of neuroplasticity and integrate their application into the understanding and delivery of play therapy.
  4. Analyze the impact of play therapy on neurobiological processes.
  5. Describe the six core elements required for a positive developmental and therapeutic experience, and demonstrate how to implement play therapy interventions that incorporate all six elements.
  6. Apply the concept of the “just right” dose to the pacing, intensity, and frequency of play therapy interventions to support optimal regulation, positive developmental growth, and healing.

CE Credit

Play Therapy
6 APT Contact CE Credits

This event is sponsored by Children’s Trauma Healing Center. Children’s Trauma Healing Center is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to play therapy (APT Approved Provider No. 24-749).

Play therapy credit available to mental health professionals & graduate students in a mental health program.

Play Therapy Primary Areas of Instruction

  • Play Therapy Skills and Methods
  • Play Therapy Special Topics


Social Work
6 Clinical CE Credits

This course, Wired for Play: The Neurobiology of Play Therapy,  Approval #12132024-1, provided by Children's Trauma Healing Center, LLC is approved for continuing education by the New Jersey Social Work Continuing Education Approval Collaborative, which is administered by NASW-NJ. CE Approval Collaborative Approval Period: Wednesday, December 4, 2024 through August 31, 2026. New Jersey social workers will receive 6 CE credits for participating in this course.

Counseling
This program is approved by the New Jersey Social Work Continuing Education Approval Collaborative, administered by NASW-NJ.

New Jersey Counselors: Eligible for CE credit under N.J.A.C. 13:34-15.4(a)1.

Pennsylvania Counselors: Eligible for CE credit under Pennsylvania Code 49.36(a)2.

Please contact us with any questions regarding continuing education credit eligibility.

Accommodations for the Differently Abled

Individuals needing special accommodations, please contact us, [email protected].

Discount Opportunities

We’re committed to making high-quality training accessible to those supporting children and families. A limited number of discounted registrations are available for the programs listed. All discounts require approval prior to registration and must be obtained by contacting us directly.

Group Discount
For teams from the same organization:
10% off for groups of 3–4 participants
15% off for groups of 5 or more participants

To qualify, participants must register together.

Student Discount
Students currently enrolled in a master’s-level graduate program in a mental health profession (e.g., professional counseling, school counseling, social work) are eligible for a 15% discount. 

Proof of current enrollment is required.

Service-Based Discount
Therapists are eligible for a 20% discount if they meet any of the following:

  • Accept Medicaid clients
  • Work in a nonprofit setting clinically serving children and families
  • Serve as a school counselor or social worker in a Title I school


Verification of employment or licensure status may be requested.


To inquire about a group, student, or service-based discount, please contact us, [email protected], prior to registering. If approved, you’ll receive a custom discount code to apply at checkout.

Discounted spots are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Please note: Discounts cannot be combined. If eligible for multiple discounts, the highest applicable discount will be applied. Previously provided coupons for attending workshops cannot be combined with other discounts.