Black Kids Matter: Play Therapy to Empower Black Children Across the Lifespan STL Workshop 2.20.26

Facilitator: April Duncan, DSW, LCSW, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™

Session Date: February 20th, 2026

Session Time: 1:30 pm-4:45 pm CST

Location: Equal Shares Counseling, 9715 Olive Boulevard, Ground Floor, Olivette, Missouri, 63132

CEs: 3.0 APT Contact CEs

Session Description:

Black children and families are often navigating negative race-based experiences on a daily and continuous basis. However, this is often overlooked in the diagnosis and assessment of their moods and behaviors. This webinar will explore signs of race-based stress and trauma in the playroom including play themes and categories of play. Attendees will also review play-based activities to empower Black children dealing with depression, low self-esteem, anxiety and more. Play therapy theories such as Adlerian Play Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy and Gestalt Play Therapy will be explored as solutions to helping Black children learn healthy coping skills to manage race-based stress and trauma. Additionally, key items to equip in the playroom to promote cultural inclusivity in play therapy with Black children and families.

Learning objectives:

1. Explore play themes that may signal race-based stress and trauma in Black youth.
2. Analyze play therapy seminal theories to address race-based stress and trauma in Black youth.
3. Identify play-based interventions to empower Black youth.

Agenda:

• 1:30 pm-3:00 pm Lecture & experiential learning
• 3:00 pm-3:15 pm Break
• 3:15 pm-4:45 pm Lecture & experiential learning

What you'll get:

• 3 APT Contact Workshop CEs
• Certificate of Completion

*Course evaluation must be completed to receive CE credits. Certificates will be provided upon completion of workshop and evaluation.