Effective Play Therapy Assessment & Diagnosis with Black Children STL Workshop 2.20.26

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

Session Date: February 20th, 2026

Session Time: 9:00 am-12:15 pm CST

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

APT Continuing Education Hours: 3.0

Session Description:

When working with Black children, clinicians often overlook race-based stressors which may result in incorrect diagnoses and ineffective treatment. Therefore, it is imperative that play therapists develop this lens when treating Black children, including culturally appropriate screening tools, understanding important cultural factors, collaborations with caregivers, and prioritizing the therapeutic relationship. This workshop will explore the use of play therapy as an assessment tool for effectively assessing and treating the mental health needs of Black children. Participants will also discuss the use of play therapy in parent consultations and family play therapy to also build bridges with caregivers to aid in more effective treatment.

Learning objectives:

1. Use Ecosystemic Play Therapy to explore systems affecting Black children.
2. Discuss play-based assessments to use with Black children.
3. List play therapy seminal theories to effectively treat Black children.

Agenda:

• 9:00 am-10:30 am Lecture & experiential learning
• 10:30 am-10:45 am Break
• 10:45 am-12:15 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.