DYSREGULATION TO SELF-REGULATION: USING LEGO-BASED PLAY THERAPY TO HELP CHILDREN REDUCE VULNERABILITY AND BECOME GROUNDED
Presenter: Althea Simpson, LCSW, RPT-S
Objectives:
Describe the distress cycle and the role parent/caregiver responsiveness plays in the development of children receiving play therapy treatment for emotional dysregulation.
Identify and discuss at least three physiological events that contributes to dysregulation often seen in children receiving play therapy treatment.
Identify and discuss at least three causes of emotional difficulties in children receiving play therapy treatment.
Discuss how theory-based practice on emotional regulation skills increase stability in children receiving play therapy treatment.
Discuss the significance of extrinsic emotion regulation and intrinsic emotion regulation when providing play therapy treatment to children who experience emotional dysregulation.
Utilize art-based (2D) and LEGO-based (3D) activities that can be incorporated into play therapy practice to help children improve their self-regulation skills to control their emotions.
ALTHEA SIMPSON, LCSW, RPT-S
Althea T. Simpson, MBA, LCSW, is the founder of Brighter Day Therapeutic Solutions and Unicorn Life Training. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and Certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Facilitator. Althea has a passion for helping children, adolescents, adults, and families from diverse backgrounds and dealing with a range of concerns go from “Hurt to Healed.” She specializes in trauma recovery and has an active psychotherapy practice in Woodbridge, Virginia. Althea has delivered presentations for numerous organizations, community events, and professional conferences and seminars. She also has been a guest on radio programs and podcasts, and authored or co-authored articles for blogs, enotes, and two anthologies.