https://alabamaplaytherapy.org/2024/01/24/dr-lakaavia-taylor-lpc-s-ncc-rpt-friday-april-12-2024/

Dr. LaKaavia Taylor LPC-S, NCC, RPT™ Friday, April 12, 2024

Playing for  Resilience: Utilizing Play Therapy to Foster Strength in African American Children

Description

Historically, African American children and their families have been impacted by systemic racism, resulting in racial stress and marginalization. Parents and caregivers are tasked with the added challenge of helping African American children navigate racism and discrimination (Harris & Graham, 2014). These challenges can lead to a heightened risk of psychological distress. Despite the risks, African American children overcome the many racial barriers, obstacles, and adversity they face (APA, 2008). This is attributed mainly to protective factors such as resilience. Resilience is a learned ability that helps one to heal and live fully in the face of adversity. Play therapy has therapeutic benefits and processes to promote resilience and overall wellness in children. In this conference, participants will learn the unique needs of African American children and how play therapy can help foster strength and resilience. Participants will also have opportunities to explore their own beliefs and biases.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants of this workshop will identify three sociopolitical experiences that impact the African American children and families.

2. Participants of this workshop will identify three risk and protective factors in African American children related to coping with adversity.
3. Participants of this workshop will describe the clinical implications and special considerations in working with African American children in play therapy.
4. Participants of this workshop will explain the relationship between resilience, African American children, and play therapy.
5. Participants of this workshop will explain three ways play therapy can facilitate strength and resilience in African American children.
6. Participants of this workshop will identify four play themes of racial and cultural exploration.
7. Participants of this workshop will practice three activities and play-based interventions to support strength and resilience in African American children.
8. Participants of this workshop will identify two strengths-based assessment measures to assess strength and resilience in play therapy.
9. Participants of this workshop will identify three relevant play therapy attitudinal traits, skills, and methods needed to work effectively with African American children and families.
10. Participants of this workshop will identify three strategies to affirm and engage African American families in play therapy and treatment.

Presenter

Dr. LaKaavia Taylor is a Clinical Associate Professor of Counseling at Southern Methodist University (SMU). She earned her Ph.D. in Counseling with a specialty in play therapy and psychoeducational assessment from the University of North Texas, where she served as a director of the Child and Family Resource Clinic (CFRC) and Internship Coordinator. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, National Certified Counselor, Registered Play Therapist, Certified Child-Centered Play Therapy Supervisor, and Certified Child-Parent Relationship Therapy Supervisor. For over a decade, Dr. Taylor has provided counseling services to children, adolescents, adults, and families in various settings, including community agencies, public schools, private practice, and university clinics. Her specialty is multicultural counseling and trauma-informed practices.

 Dr. Taylor has delivered numerous presentations at local, national, and state professional conferences, published chapters and research on play therapy, and engaged in social justice advocacy efforts in her leadership positions in national counseling organizations. Dr. Taylor is a Counselor Educator Trustee for the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling (ACAC). She is the former recipient of the Rho Kappa Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota Outstanding Research Award and College of Education Outstanding Lecturer Award. Dr. Taylor’s lifelong commitment is to reduce mental health barriers for individuals and families from marginalized and underserved populations. 

Schedule

Continuing Education Credit

Six Contact Hours will be awarded for a full day of attendance.  

Counselors:  Alabama Association for Play Therapy (AAPT) has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6211.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are identified.  Alabama Association for Play Therapy is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.

Marriage and Family Therapists: The Alabama Board of Examiners in Marriage and Family Therapy (ABEMFT) automatically approves NBCC-approved courses for CE credit. 

Play Therapists: AAPT is approved by the Association for Play Therapy (APT) to offer continuing education specific to play therapy. APT Approved Provider No. 98-045.   

Social Workers: AAPT is approved by the Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners (ASBSWE) to offer continuing education to social workers. ASBSWE Provider No. 0284. 

Registration Fees   

Group Discount

A discount of $10.00 per registrant for groups of 3 or more registering together. Email the Treasurer ([email protected]) to complete a Group Registration. Credit Cards are accepted if registering online. No purchase orders accepted.

Scholarships

Scholarships to attend the AAPT workshop will be offered to full-time students who volunteer to be available Thursday evening, April 11th, and all day Friday, April 12th, to assist with the conference. Volunteer duties may involve working registration, assisting with setup before the event, cleaning up after the event, selling books for the presenter, and preparing materials for the workshop. Students interested in volunteering for the event should contact Sarah Knapp at [email protected] and submit proof of enrollment in a counseling or related program (SW, MFT, etc). 

Location

Lifeline Children’s Services- 200 Missionary Ridge, Birmingham, AL 35242

Special Needs

Please contact CE & Registration at [email protected], Registration & CE Coordinator

Cancellations

Registrants canceling up to 48 hours before a workshop will receive a tuition refund less a $20 administrative fee (per day). All requests must be made in writing or by email. No refunds will be issued for any reason after April 10, 2024.  If the workshop cannot be held, registrants will receive complimentary admission to a rescheduled workshop or a full-value voucher, good for one year, for a future workshop.

Membership Information

To join the Association for Play Therapy, click here.

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