Case Conceptualization for Play Therapist

Case Conceptualization in Play Therapy

Play therapists engage in case conceptualization every session, whether they explicitly identify it or not.

Children communicate through play. Themes repeat, characters reappear, relationships emerge, and familiar stories are acted out in different ways. These patterns provide clinically relevant information that can guide assessment, treatment planning, and intervention.

This 3-hour training examines the process of Adlerian case conceptualization in play therapy. Participants will learn how to identify and organize play-based observations into a coherent understanding of the child’s functioning, beliefs, relational patterns, and goals of behavior. Through an Adlerian framework, clinicians will explore how play themes can inform assessment, guide treatment planning, and support intentional therapeutic decision-making.

The training will focus on moving from observation to clinical formulation, helping participants develop practical strategies for utilizing play therapy material to create meaningful and developmentally appropriate treatment goals.

Learning Objectives