Friday, August 14th, 2026
9am-12:15pm
Location: The Moose Lodge in Fairfax, 3529 Chain Bridge Rd, Fairfax, VA 22030
Playful, Not Childish: Integrating Play Therapy in Tween and Teen Groups
Presenter: Jenni Showalter, LCSW, RPT-S
Year-At-A-Glance
The Play Cafe – Monthly Lunch and Learn
August 5th, 12-1 PM,EST
This virtual, one-hour lunch and learn session will be held monthly. Earn one Play Therapy CE while discussing various aspects of play therapy, including techniques, theories, and the process of becoming a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). This is also a great opportunity to network with fellow and aspiring play therapists. Register for this month’s session using the link below!
August TOPIC: Playful Terminations: Ending Therapy with Sessions that Honor the Relationship
Ending play therapy is more than the final session—it’s a meaningful therapeutic intervention. Whether therapy ends because goals have been met, circumstances have changed, or the goodbye comes unexpectedly, thoughtful termination helps children process endings, celebrate growth, and honor the therapeutic relationship. Join us for this engaging Play Café as we explore creative, developmentally appropriate play therapy interventions that help children navigate goodbyes We’ll also discuss common challenges—including cancellations, ghosting, inconsistent attendance, and therapist discomfort—and share practical strategies for creating meaningful closure, even when play therapy doesn’t end as planned.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
- Differentiate between planned, goal-achieved, and unexpected play therapy terminations while considering the developmental, relational, ethical, and clinical factors that shape the termination process.
- Identify and apply at least five developmentally appropriate play therapy termination interventions that help children process endings, celebrate progress, strengthen resilience, and prepare for future transitions.
- Recognize and respond to common barriers to successful play therapy termination—including caregiver ambivalence, inconsistent attendance, avoidance, systemic challenges, and therapist discomfort—and develop practical strategies for creating meaningful closure whenever possible.
Led by Jenni Showalter, LCSW, RPT-S
CE’S: 1 hour for APT, NBC, ASWB
Cost $10.00
Location: Virtual Event-The Play Cafe- Monthly Lunch and Learn
Upcoming Training Sessions