AKAPT Fall Conference with Sueann Kenney-Noziska, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S

Day 1 Integrative Play Therapy for the Treatment of Childhood Abuse and
Trauma

 Date/Time: September 17 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM AKST

Presenter: Sueann Kenney-Noziska, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S TM

Workshop Length: 6 hour CE contact Training (Live in-person)

Workshop Overview: This workshop will explore an integrative approach to using
play therapy with victims of childhood abuse and trauma. Research, including findings
from the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study, and literature describing
trauma's impact on the brain, treatment of posttraumatic stress, and trauma-informed
treatment will be reviewed. This will include a description of findings in the field of
neuroscience which support the use of play therapy & other expressive interventions in
the treatment of trauma and abuse for children and adolescents. The use of
posttraumatic play and trauma-informed play therapy interventions will be discussed.
Lecture, experiential activities, group discussions, & case examples will provide
participants with a comprehensive learning experience.

Learning Objectives: After the session, participants will be able to:
1. Define integrative play therapy
2. Describe at least three findings from the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) Study
3. Describe at least two ways that trauma impacts the brain
4. Discuss one to two ways play therapy & other expressive interventions are consistent with findings in the neurosciences
5. Describe at least two ways that posttraumatic play therapy interventions can be used in clinical practice with abused and traumatized children and adolescents
6. Identify a minimum of five trauma-informed cognitive behavioral play therapy (CBPT) interventions to use as part of treatment for abuse and trauma

Day 2 The Intersection of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Play Therapy (6-hour
full day in person)

 Date/Time: September 18, 2026 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM AKST

Presenter: Sueann Kenney-Noziska, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S TM

Workshop Length: 6 hour CE contact Training (Live in-person)

Workshop Overview:  This workshop will emphasize using play therapy with victims of sexual abuse and
trauma. Frameworks for conceptualizing the impact of sexual abuse, treatment
components from evidence-based practice models, & play therapy will be integrated to
create abuse-informed assessment and interventions that are developmentally
appropriate & clinically sound. This will include discussion of differences between
dynamic and toxic posttraumatic play. Attendees will receive a variety of directive play
therapy interventions which address core components of sexual abuse treatment
including psychoeducation, emotional expression, cognitive coping, & trauma narration.
Furthermore, areas of clinical need for children & adolescents who have been victims of
childhood sexual abuse will be identified to delineate ways in which play therapy can be
utilized to meet these needs. Cultural influences of childhood sexual abuse will be
explored. Additional special considerations for play therapists working with sexually
abused children and adolescents will be discussed, including self-care and scope of
practice. Lecture, experiential activities, group discussions, & case examples will
provide participants with a comprehensive learning experience.

Learning Objectives: After the workshop, participants will be able to:
1. Identify a minimum of ten play-based interventions to use in clinical practice with sexually traumatized children and adolescents
2. Identify the difference between dynamic and toxic posttraumatic play
3. Identify at least three dynamics of sexual abuse that may be utilized to underscore play therapy assessment and intervention of sexually abused individuals
4. Describe areas of clinical need for children and adolescents who have been victims of childhood sexual abuse and discuss ways in which play therapy can be utilized to meet these needs
5. Identify two to three cultural considerations when using play therapy with sexually abused children
6. Discuss one to two areas of special consideration when using play therapy with sexually traumatized children and adolescents