Recognizing these manifestations and understanding their neurobiological underpinnings is crucial for us as therapists to effectively intervene and facilitate healing in the playroom. Without a clear understanding of what to do and how to facilitate the intensity when it enters play, therapists can inadvertently promote aggression and increase low brain disorganisation. It can also lead to the therapist feeling exhausted and hyper-aroused themselves, which impacts their ability to stay attuned and present to a child in the playroom as well as significantly impacting their longevity in the field.

This one-day workshop delves into the neurobiological foundation of aggression and death play within the context of Play Therapy (viewed specifically through the lens of Synergetic Play Therapy), offering valuable insights and practical tools for psychotherapists, psychologists, and counsellors working with children and adolescents. Drawing on the latest findings in neuroscience and interpersonal neurobiology, this programme empowers therapists to understand and effectively engage with aggressive and intense play in a manner that promotes nervous system regulation, facilitates repatterning of autonomic activation, and mitigates compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma. By cultivating a deeper understanding of the neurobiological mechanisms at play, therapists can create a safe and attuned environment conducive to profound healing and growth for both their clients and themselves.

Through a blend of theoretical insights, experiential exercises and case studies, participants will emerge equipped with essential tools to navigate the complexities of aggression and intensity in play therapy sessions. By embracing a neurobiologically-informed approach, therapists can enhance their efficacy and ability to foster deep healing and transformation in their young clients. Join us on this transformative journey towards integrating aggression and intensity into play therapy.

Learning Objectives:

• Regulating Intensity: Discover strategies for maintaining regulation amidst intense play, aggression, and death themes in the playroom.
• Self-Preservation: Learn at least two techniques to work with aggression without succumbing to your own nervous system shutdown, thereby preventing vicarious trauma.
• Neurobiological Correlates: Explore the intricate link between a child’s dysregulated nervous system and their expression of aggression and trauma in play.
• Managing Emotional Flooding: Define emotional flooding and acquire at least two tools to manage this phenomenon effectively during play therapy sessions.
• The Concept of The Set Up: Examine the Synergetic Play Therapy concept of The Set Up as a powerful tool for decoding the underlying messages communicated through a child’s play.
• Boundary Setting: Demonstrate at least two strategies for setting boundaries in the playroom without resorting to shaming or stifling a child’s expression.

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