The Heart of Healing a Child in Play Therapy:
Webinar Presented by Dr David Crenshaw
Approved Training with the Association for Play Therapy:
APT Approved Training Provider: #18-556 and the Australian Play Therapists Association (APTA)
Offered as a Live Webinar and Webinar Recording to Those in Different Countries Across the World!
The Play Therapy Online Training Academy is honored to offer a live webinar presented by award-winning, internationally renowned
Dr David Crenshaw, PhD, ABPP, RPT-S: Clinical Psychologist, Play Therapy Supervisor, Training Presenter and Author.
You are warmly invited to join us for this very special opportunity to hear Dr Crenshaw from the United States present:
“The Heart of Healing a Child in Play Therapy.” Drawing on decades of clinical practice and deep immersion in therapeutic work with children, he will share his wisdom and his beautiful, empathic approach to connecting deeply with children in Play Therapy.
In this inspiring webinar, you will learn from one of Play Therapy’s most respected trainers. Dr Crenshaw’s presentations are widely regarded as deeply moving, profoundly enriching and a gift to Play Therapists and Mental Health Professionals at every stage of their professional journey.
Dr David Crenshaw, PhD, ABPP, RPT-S: Clinical Psychologist, Play Therapy Supervisor, Training Presenter and Author.
You are warmly invited to join us for this very special opportunity to hear Dr Crenshaw from the United States present:
“The Heart of Healing a Child in Play Therapy.” Drawing on decades of clinical practice and deep immersion in therapeutic work with children, he will share his wisdom and his beautiful, empathic approach to connecting deeply with children in Play Therapy.
In this inspiring webinar, you will learn from one of Play Therapy’s most respected trainers. Dr Crenshaw’s presentations are widely regarded as deeply moving, profoundly enriching and a gift to Play Therapists and Mental Health Professionals at every stage of their professional journey.
We are Grateful to These Internationally Recognized Trainers in Play Therapy for Sharing Their Reflections:
“What I most appreciate about David is the quality of his presence. He reminds us that healing does not begin with technique --
it begins with empathy, steadiness, and authentic connection. His leadership continues to guide our field back to the relational core of Play Therapy.”
- Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S Founder and President, Synergetic Play Therapy Institute
“Dr. David Crenshaw is a dedicated professional with decades of experience making meaningful emotional connections with
children and youth. He is one of the most authentic voices, consistent and compelling, providing wisdom each time he speaks.
Give yourself the gift of attending and listening from one who has deep knowledge of heart healing.”
- Eliana Gil, PhD, RPT-S Recipient of the Association for Play Therapy: APT Lifetime Achievement Award
“Dr David Crenshaw’s extensive head knowledge about healing work with children is eclipsed only by his heart knowledge of the children
themselves. As a Storykeeper for some of the most hurt children in his time at the Poughkeepsie Children’s Home, his storytelling in
training inspires and equips. David’s congruence, curiosity, and playful presence make him a delightful teacher. You are in for a treat.”
- Paris Goodyear Brown, LCSW,RPT-S, Creator of. Trauma Play, Clinical Director, Nurture House
it begins with empathy, steadiness, and authentic connection. His leadership continues to guide our field back to the relational core of Play Therapy.”
- Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S Founder and President, Synergetic Play Therapy Institute
“Dr. David Crenshaw is a dedicated professional with decades of experience making meaningful emotional connections with
children and youth. He is one of the most authentic voices, consistent and compelling, providing wisdom each time he speaks.
Give yourself the gift of attending and listening from one who has deep knowledge of heart healing.”
- Eliana Gil, PhD, RPT-S Recipient of the Association for Play Therapy: APT Lifetime Achievement Award
“Dr David Crenshaw’s extensive head knowledge about healing work with children is eclipsed only by his heart knowledge of the children
themselves. As a Storykeeper for some of the most hurt children in his time at the Poughkeepsie Children’s Home, his storytelling in
training inspires and equips. David’s congruence, curiosity, and playful presence make him a delightful teacher. You are in for a treat.”
- Paris Goodyear Brown, LCSW,RPT-S, Creator of. Trauma Play, Clinical Director, Nurture House
Read All About the Webinar and Register Below
The Heart of Healing a Child in Play Therapy
Presented by Dr David Crenshaw PhD, ABPP, RPT-S
Non-Contact CE /PD/OPD Training Hours: 2
Live Webinar & Recording:
Play Therapy Training Overview:
What are the essentials of a healing process with a child in Play Therapy?
While there are multiple contributing factors, perhaps most important is the creation of moments of heart-to-heart connections in Play Therapy that lead to the child experiencing being seen, heard, and understood. These are potentially transformative moments of deep connection and understanding. The heart is where feelings live and reside.
In many cultures, religious, and contemplative traditions dating back to ancient times, the heart symbolizes the emotional center of the person, the life blood, the soul, and the spiritual core of the individual. Cognition and emotions are both important, but arguably the heart is the portal of entry and holds the key to meaningful change in Child Therapy and Play Therapy.
In this training for both Child-Centered Play Therapists and Directive Play Therapists, ways of engaging children in heart-to-heart connections will be emphasized including realizing more of the potential in Child-Centered Play Therapy and directive techniques for facilitating meaningful heart-centered engagement in Play Therapy.
Learning Objectives:
On completion of the training, participants will be able to:
- Describe how at least two of the powers of play can be strengthened to increase the potential of heartfelt connection in Play Therapy
- Utilize two drawing and expressive writing activities to encourage heartfelt engagement and expression in Play Therapy
- Identify at least two tools to use to self-monitor the affect and reactions of the Play Therapist
Bio of Dr David Crenshaw:
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David A. Crenshaw, Ph.D., ABPP is Retired, Clinical Director of the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie. He received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 1969 from Washington University in St. Louis. He is a Board-Certified Clinical Psychologist (American Board of Professional Psychology, ABPP). Dr. Crenshaw is a Fellow in the American Academy of Clinical Psychology. He was also awarded a Fellow in the American Psychological Association (APA) and a Fellow in the APA Division of Child and Adolescent Psychology. He is a licensed psychologist in New York State and a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor by the Association for Play Therapy. He has taught graduate courses in Play Therapy and child/adolescent counseling at Johns Hopkins University, and Columbia University.
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Dr. Crenshaw has been a vigorous advocate for Courthouse Dogs to provide comfort to child witnesses when testifying in criminal and family court trials. He serves on the Advisory Board and Research Committee of the Courthouse Dogs Foundation in Seattle. He is the author, co-author, editor, or co-editor of 22 books and over 100 journal articles and book chapters on topics of child and adolescent therapy, child trauma and abuse. He was awarded in 2009 the “Excellence in Psychology Award” by his colleagues in the Hudson Valley Psychological Association (HVPA). In 2012, HVPA honored him with its first ever Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2013, the Coalition against Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault (CASADA) honored him with its CASADA Award for contributions to combating Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault. In 2015, Dr. Crenshaw was given the “Great Friend to Children Award by the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum. He was awarded a 2nd Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 by the New York Association for Play Therapy, and in 2021 a Lifetime Achievement Award (3rd) from the Association for Play Therapy (International).
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Who is this Play Therapy Training for?
This training is being offered internationally. It is highly recommended for Play Therapists and Mental Health Professionals including Psychologists, Social Workers, Counsellors, Psychotherapists, Creative Arts Therapists, School Counsellors, interns and students in these fields. It is also suitable for those in Education and Allied Health who wish to deepen their understanding of Play Therapy.
Date & Time of Live Webinar:
Wednesday April 22, 2026:
- 7pm to 9pm New York, USA (EDT - Eastern Daylight Time) UTC-4
- 4pm to 6pm California USA Pacific Daylight Time (PDT - UTC-7)
- Central Time (CDT – UTC-5): 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Chicago, US)
Thursday April 23, 2026:
- 9am to 11am Sydney, Australia (AEST)
Cost & Training Hours:
2 Hour Play Therapy Training Live Webinar + Recording Access Available for 30 Days
Includes 2 CE/PD/CPD Non-Contact Training Hours (APT Approved Training)
Early Bird Rate: $57 USD | $85 AUD (until March 31, 2026)
Standard Rate: $67 USD | $95 AUD
Includes 2 CE/PD/CPD Non-Contact Training Hours (APT Approved Training)
Early Bird Rate: $57 USD | $85 AUD (until March 31, 2026)
Standard Rate: $67 USD | $95 AUD
Special Group Rates:
We offer a Special Group Rate for agencies, organisations, universities, schools and other groups registering four or more people. Please email us for more information: [email protected]
Certificate of Attendance:
A Certificate of Attendance will be emailed to you after successful completion of the post training quiz
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Play Therapy Online Training Academy is an Approved Training Provider with the Association for Play Therapy, USA: APT Approved Training Provider: #18-556 and with the Australian Play Therapists Association (APTA)
Our training is also accepted by many workplaces
and registering bodies in different countries |
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Please review the webinar information and participation requirements before completing your registration:
Register/Enrol:
We are pleased to offer the option to register in US dollars or AUD Australian dollars.
You can join the live Webinar or access the recording of Dr Crenshaw's training event.
The recording of the webinar will be available to access for 30 days after the date of the live webinar.
Please email us: [email protected] if you need a tax invoice for your workplace!
The Heart of Healing a Child in Play Therapy Webinar/Recording:
Early Bird Rate: $57 USD | $85 AUD (until March 31, 2026)
Standard Rate: $67 USD | $95 AUD
Please note: After completing payment you will receive a tax invoice/receipt and an email with information about the training.
Occasionally these emails go into a junk/spam folder so please check this if you do not receive this email.
Occasionally these emails go into a junk/spam folder so please check this if you do not receive this email.
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