Play Therapy with Children & Families Impacted by ICE Presence Workshop Pasadena 10.3.26

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

 Training date: October 3rd, 2026

Session time: 1:30 pm-4:45 pm PST 

Location: Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 1972 N Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103

APT Continuing Education Hours: 3.0 APT Contact CEs 

Description:

Children of color are experiencing increased rates of race-based trauma amid the escalation of ICE presence in their communities. Play therapy offers a developmentally responsive approach to addressing the emotional and psychological impact of ICE-related stress, fear, and uncertainty. Children of color may experience heightened anxiety due to concerns about their own safety or the potential detention, deportation, or harm of loved ones by immigration enforcement officers. This workshop explores how the therapeutic powers of play can support healing from both real and perceived traumatic experiences associated with ICE presence. 

Learning Objectives:

1. Discuss cultural considerations in play therapy with children and families of color at-risk for interactions with immigration enforcement 
2. Review the use of play therapy seminal theories to address traumatic stress in children and families impacted by immigration enforcement 
3. Analyze play-based techniques to engage clients and families impacted by immigration enforcement presence 

Agenda: 

• 12:30 pm-2:00 pm Lecture & experiential learning 
• 2:00 pm-2:15 pm Break 
• 2:15 pm-4:30 pm Lecture & experiential learning 
• 4:30 pm-4:45 pm Q&A and wrap up