Welcoming Hard Things In Play Therapy with Clinical and School Based Applications
Date: November 6, 2026
Time 9:00-4:30 Mtn Time Zone
Training Details
Location: 2 Options to Attend
Virtual - Zoom
In-Person- Bayard Community Center 209 Hurley Ave, Bayard, NM
Price: $150
Training Objectives
• Identify at least 3 topics that are challenging for you that may arise during a Play Therapy session and describe the associated challenges with each.
• Identify at least three personal reactions, biases, or emotional responses that may arise when difficult subjects or behaviors are present in Play Therapy sessions.
• Identify at least three emotional, physical, or cognitive reactions you may experience when encountering challenging topics, behaviors, or play themes in Play Therapy.
• Demonstrate at least two ways to be aware of which part of your brain Is in charge of your response to sensitive topics in Play Therapy.
• Learn at least two ways to respond to sensitive topics in a respectful, supportive, and nonjudgemental manner in Play Therapy.
• Demonstrate an appropriate Play Therapy based response to at least two challenging client scenarios through role-play and case-based exercises.
• Demonstrate at least two self-reflection or grounding techniques that can be used during challenging sessions to recognize and manage your own reactions in Play Therapy sessions.
Training Description
Exploring how to understand and respond to aggression, challenging behaviors, and difficult play in Play Therapy while staying present with curiosity. Children may bring intense emotions, behaviors, and play themes into the therapeutic relationship that challenge our assumptions, evoke strong reactions, or make it difficult to know how to respond. This training invites therapists to examine what happens within themselves when the work feels hard, including emotional, physical, and cognitive reactions that can shape their clinical responses. Participants will explore how self-awareness, regulation, and curiosity can help them remain engaged and responsive rather than becoming reactive, avoidant, or judgmental. Through discussion, reflection, and case-based practice, participants will develop practical strategies for working with challenging behaviors while maintaining a supportive, respectful, and Play Therapy-informed approach.
Available CE In-Person attendees will qualify for 6 contact APT CE or Virtual attendees will qualify for 6 non-contact APT CE All attendees qualify for 6 NBCC
Training Schedule
830-900 Check in. 9:00-10:30 Presentation 10:30-10:40 Break 11:30-12:30 Lunch 1230-2:10 Presentation 2:10-2:30 Break 2:30-4:30 Presentation 4:30 End of Day
Meet Your Presenters
Aretha Amundson, LPCC, RPT
Aretha graduated from Western New Mexico University with a Master’s in Counseling in 2016 and is an independently licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LPCC) in New Mexico. She specializes in working with children, adolescents, and families and provides clinical services in Silver City, New Mexico.
Aretha is the Grant County Clinical Director for Winborn Wellness & Counseling, where she enjoys supporting both clinicians and the families they serve. She is a Registered Play Therapist and served on the Board of the New Mexico Association for Play Therapy for three years. In addition to her clinical and leadership work, Aretha is passionate about supervising, teaching, and training mental health professionals. She especially enjoys creating opportunities for therapists to be curious, reflective, and supported as they grow in their work, while continuing to find meaningful and creative ways to serve children, families, and the broader community.
MariaElena is a Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LPCC) in New Mexico with over a decade of experience working with children and families. She holds a Master’s in Counseling from Western New Mexico University, is a Registered Play Therapist, a Child-Parent Psychotherapy rostered provider, and holds a Level III Infant Mental Health Specialist Endorsement (IMH-E®).
MariaElena fell in love with play therapy during her internship and has continued to grow her skills and passion for the work ever since. She has worked in community mental health, infant mental health, private practice, and school settings. In addition to her clinical work, she enjoys teaching, training, and supporting other professionals. She is currently working toward becoming a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor and is passionate about advocating for play therapy and relationship-based approaches for children and families throughout New Mexico.
Cancelation Policy
Training Cancellation and Continuing Education Policy
We look forward to welcoming you to a Winborn Wellness & Counseling training. This policy applies to both online and in-person trainings.
Participant cancellations and transfers
If you cancel 10 or more calendar days before the training begins, we will refund your registration fee less a $25 administrative fee.
Cancellations received fewer than 10 calendar days before the training begins are not eligible for a refund or credit. We cannot issue a refund or credit if you miss a training or do not attend.
You may transfer your registration to another person at no additional charge. Before the training begins, email Irene@winbornwc.com from the address used to register. Include the replacement attendee’s full name, email address, and phone number. We will send them the information needed to attend. Any continuing education credit will be issued to the person who attends and completes the requirements.
Continuing education credit
The continuing education hours and credit types available for each training will be listed in its registration details.
To receive a certificate, attendees must complete the training’s attendance and evaluation requirements, as well as any stated assessment or additional study requirements.
We do not award partial continuing education credit. Attendees must participate for the full instructional time.
Play therapy continuing education hours are based on instructional time and are available to eligible mental health professionals. Each training’s registration details will state whether it offers APT contact or non-contact hours. Online trainings, including live webinars, offer non-contact hours.
Registration covers the training fee only. Attendees are responsible for their own travel, lodging, internet access, and other related expenses.
Changes or cancellations by Winborn Wellness & Counseling
We may need to change a training’s date, location, format, or presenter, or cancel a training. We will notify registered attendees as soon as reasonably possible.
If we cancel a training, you may choose a full refund of your registration fee or transfer your registration to a future offering of the same training, if available. If we reschedule a training and you cannot attend on the new date, you may request a full refund. We cannot reimburse travel, lodging, or other expenses related to a training.
For questions, cancellation requests, or registration transfers, please contact Irene@winbornwc.com.
Virtual Attendees
If you are attending the training virtually, it is required that you have your video on and are actively participating in order to earn the offered CEs. You will receive an email with the Zoom link and any handouts prior to the training. Virtual attendees are expected to be present and participate in the training experience. You are expected to be active in the chat and participate in breakout rooms. Please ensure you are in a private location as many sessions share delicate information. Driving is not allowed while participating. If you are identified as operating an automobile you will be exited from the session.
CE Approvals
Winborn Wellness & Counseling has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7831. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Winborn Wellness & Counseling is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Winborn Wellness & Counseling is a Approved CE Provider for the Association for Play Therapy (APT) Approved Provider 20-631
