PLAYCON 2023

Sat/Sun May 6-7, 2023

A paradigm shifting experience bringing you today’s most cutting edge, strengths-based interventions to help your neurodiverse clients thrive!

During this one-of-a-kind, 2-day event, you’ll have the opportunity to learn from and interact with an interdisciplinary team from The Center for Connection, and see how our unique interpersonal neurobiology approach really works. Following a welcoming keynote by Dr. Tina Bryson, our renowned professionals will guide you through neurodiversity-affirming interventions that leverage the neuro-relational benefits of play, attachment and parenting, somatic and trauma models, sensory integration, and the neuroception of safety. From early intervention to adolescence, you’ll take away dozens of transformational play-based interventions to support your clients across their ages and developmental stages. Best of all, this incredible learning will culminate in a panel discussion simulating a real case conference, so you can see our team planning and formulating interdisciplinary treatment in real-time as a model for your own practice!

Day 1: Saturday May 6, 9:00am-4:30pm (Pacific Standard Time)
Day 2: Saturday May 6, 9:00am-4:30pm (Pacific Standard Time)

Plus, earn 12 CE hours (approved by APA for psychologists, CA BBS for LMFTs, LCSWs, and LPCs, and the Association for Play Therapy for aspiring and renewing Registered Play Therapists)!

The Center for Connection's integrative, collaborative network of professionals represents a unique model of providing highly creative and playful, interdisciplinary, and neuro-affirming mental health treatment to children, teens, and families that has garnered international attention from groups trying to replicate our cutting-edge approach.

Influenced by the lens of Interpersonal Neurobiology, a term coined by Daniel J. Siegel, MD, attachment research and developmental theories, we believe that a child’s brain, mind, and relationships interact to shape who the child is. NY Times bestselling author Dr. Tina Payne Bryson, PhD, founded The Center for Connection with IPNB in mind. Her books (co-authored with Dan Siegel), including The Whole-Brain Child, No Drama Discipline, The Yes Brain, and the Power of Showing Up, have sold nearly 3 million copies worldwide.

Current clinical models make communication among professionals difficult or nearly impossible, despite the obvious advantages of having specialists from different disciplines working together. That's why the CFC's connection-based model provides more comprehensive services, with expert professionals meeting weekly together ranging from psychotherapy and play therapy, parent education, neuropsychological assessments, educational therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, and more.

We invite professionals across all practices and disciplines to join us, including, but not limited to: Play Therapists, Licensed and Pre-Licensed Mental Health Professionals, Counselors, Psychologists, Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Educational Therapists and Learning Specialists, Educators, School Counselors, Medical Professionals, Development Specialists, Students and Interns.

Over the course of this training, you’ll gain insights for your clinical practice and practical application that will help you:

1. Utilize at least 5 innovative play therapy strategies to increase engagement and build neuro-affirming relationships toward optimal functioning and mental health.
2. Outline 3 best practices of being a neurodiversity affirming clinician or play therapist.
3. Identify at least 4 highly effective skills of collaborative team approaches supporting neurodiverse youth, spanning mental health, play therapy, neuropsychological assessment, OT, SLP, and ET.
4. Discuss 2 advantages of interdisciplinary mental health practice and play therapy in working with neurodivergent youth with complex treatment needs.
5. Expand on 3 key strategies of active collaboration within interdisciplinary treatment teams (including mental health, play therapy, neuropsychological assessment, OT, SLP, and ET).
6. Describe at least 3 proven methods to increase caregiver engagement in play-based, neuro-informed therapy processes to help neurodivergent clients grow and heal in their mental health goals.
7. Utilize at least 2 play-based techniques and insight informed by the occupational therapy perspective helpful to mental health and play therapy clients with sensory processing and physiological regulation needs.
8. Demonstrate at least 2 play-based techniques and insight informed by the speech and language therapy perspective helpful to mental health and play therapy clients with social and communication difficulties.
9. Identify at least 2 play-based assessment methods and insight informed by neuropsychological assessment helpful to mental health and play therapy clients to address minimal treatment progress and enhance treatment planning.
10. Outline at least 2 play-based techniques and insight informed by the educational therapy perspective helpful to mental health and play therapy clients with learning differences and educational challenges.
11. Expand on least 2 play-based techniques and insight informed by the infant parent mental health perspective helpful to mental health and play therapy clients affected by parental stress and relational trauma.
12. Discuss at least 2 play-based techniques and insight informed by the adolescent mental health perspective helpful to mental health and play therapy clients affected by complex neurological issues and higher risk behaviors.

Saturday May 6, 9:00am-4:30pm (Pacific Standard Time)

Sunday May 7, 9:00am-4:30pm (Pacific Standard Time)

Continuing Education

Georgeanne Wisen, LMFT
Approved CE Provider #16-456

Georgeanne Wisen, LMFT
California Board of Behavioral Sciences CE Provider #137262

Georgeanne Wisen, LMFT
American Psychological Association CE Sponsor

Georgeanne Wisen, LMFT RPT-S is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to play therapy (APT Approved Provider 16-456). Georgeanne Wisen, LMFT RPT-S (Provider #137262) is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs. Course meets qualifications for 12 hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Georgeanne Wisen, LMFT RPT-S is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Georgeanne Wisen, LMFT RPT-S maintains responsibility for this program and its content. Course meets the qualifications for 12 hours of continuing education credit. NO CREDIT FOR PARTIAL ATTENDANCE. In-person attendees will receive a Certificate of Attendance onsite at the completion of the workshop. Online attendees will receive their Certificate of Attendance via email once a program survey and post-test have been completed.

Audience Prerequisites

Instructional Level

Eligibility

The Play Therapy, IPNB, and Neurodiversity Conference hosted by The Center for Connection is open to mental health professionals or graduate students in a mental health field who may be eligible to receive continuing education credit for attendance. Although not eligible to receive continuing education credit, allied professionals of other pediatric disciplines (occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, educational therapists, etc.) are welcome to attend. Due to the confidentiality and nature of topics presented, children (of any age) are not permitted in conference workshops. CFC has the right to refuse or cancel ineligible registrations at any time and shall not be held accountable for any outside fees associated with this cancellation. If you have any specific questions regarding your eligibility status, please contact Georgie Wisen-Vincent, Conference Coordinator, at georgie@thecenterforconnection.org.

Attendance & Late Arrivals

Each day of the conference will begin promptly at 9:00am Pacific Standard Time, with a 15 minute grace period for late arrivals if you should wish to earn continuing education (CE) credits for attendance. Beyond the grace period, there will be no CE credit for partial attendance.

On-site attendance will be recorded by signing in at arrival and return from the lunch break. Virtual attendance must be tracked by signing in via the Zoom chat feature upon online arrival and return from the mid-day break. Please be sure to sign out at the end of each day of in-person and online attendance and complete a survey/post-test to receive full credit.

The conference is being provided for 2-day participation only. We cannot accommodate requests to select 1-day, but hope to provide this option at future events.

Scholarships Available

The Center for Connection is committed to improving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Our goal is to promote connection among individuals and groups, and to also celebrate differences. We are committed to fostering a culture where everyone who visits the CFC feels safe, valued, supported, and inspired to achieve individual and shared goals.

Accordingly, we are able to open a limited number of discounted spaces to trainees and students, international residents, those with neurodiverse identities, and/or BIPOC individuals. Please contact Georgie Wisen-Vincent, Conference Coordinator, at georgie@thecenterforconnection.org to inquire about scholarship availability.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Requests for refunds must be made in writing to Georgie Wisen-Vincent, Conference Coordinator, 3030 E. Colorado Blvd. Suite 214, Pasadena CA 91107. Requests must be postmarked at least 5 business days prior to workshop date in order to receive refund. There is a $25 administrative fee for refunds. There are no discounts for partial attendance.

The Center for Connection reserves the right to cancel this conference in the event of unforeseen circumstances. If such occurs, we will attempt to notify registrants at least 10 calendar days prior to the conference and refund all registration fees. In all instances, the liability of the CFC is limited to refunding such fees.

The CFC continues with our in-person strategy for the conference, including appropriate safety protocols, as we monitor the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. However, should public health guidelines prevent in-person gatherings, we will provide registration refunds upon request. Please use care when booking travel arrangements; the CFC is not responsible for airfare or other travel reimbursements should public health guidelines require cancellation of the in-person conference.

Disclaimers

Registrants understand and agree that any photograph, video, or audio recording of themselves may be used to further promote the Conference or the CFC. This conference is being provided for educational purposes only. The material presented is not intended to represent the only or best approaches to the topics being discussed and participants waive any claim they may have against the CFC or Conference Coordinator for assurance on information presented. We expect professional conduct by attendees at all times while at conference events.

Grievances

If you are dissatisfied with this workshop or its procedures at any time, please contact Georgie Wisen-Vincent, Conference Coordinator, at georgie@thecenterforconnection.org to receive a timely response along with copy of the written grievance policy for addressing participant complaints in a reasonable, ethical, and timely fashion.

Disability

If you have a disability and need accommodations per ADA/504, please provide notification at time of registration but no later than 10 business days before workshop date to provide accessibility.

Conflicts of Interest

Georgeanne Wisen, LMFT RPT-S, CE Administrator, and the organization’s presenters do not maintain any relationships associated with this workshop that could be construed as a conflict of interest/commercial support.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. THIS AGREEMENT HAS LEGAL CONSEQUENCES AND WILL AFFECT YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS AND ABILITY TO BRING FUTURE LEGAL ACTIONS. THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDES A WAIVER OF YOUR RIGHT TO BRING A CLASS ACTION.

IN CONSIDERATION of being permitted to enter and remain at an event provided or hosted by The Center for Connection, hereinafter referred to collectively as the CFC, I, on behalf of myself and my heirs, assigns, executors, administrators, next of kin, and personal representatives (collectively, “Related Persons”), hereby acknowledge and agree to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.

The novel coronavirus SARS- CoV-2 and any resulting disease (together with any mutation, adaptation, or variation thereof, “COVID-19”) is an extremely contagious disease, and there is an inherent danger and risk of exposure to COVID-19 in any place where people are present. Evidence has shown that COVID-19 can cause serious and potentially life-threatening illness and even death.

The Center for Connection (which includes its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, sponsors, representatives, and affiliates, collectively, “CFC”, or “Released Parties”) cannot prevent you from becoming exposed to, contracting, or spreading COVID‑19 while attending its events and/or entering onto premises where CFC events are held. It is not possible to prevent against the presence of COVID-19. Therefore, if you choose to attend an event organized by the CFC and enter onto premises where its conferences are held, you may be exposing yourself and others to and/or increasing your risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19, which can result in subsequent quarantine, illness, disability, other short-term and long-term physical and/or mental health effects, and/or death, regardless of age or health condition at the time of exposure and/or infection. You acknowledge that the CFC expects all event participants, exhibitors, vendors and guests to be fully COVID-19 vaccinated, if eligible, prior to traveling to its events and to adhere to mask-wearing mandates by state, local, and event premises authorities to minimize exposure to or spreading of COVID-19.

ASSUMPTION OF RISK: I have read and understood the above warning concerning COVID-19. The event is of such value to me that I accept the risk of being exposed to, contracting, and/or spreading COVID-19 in order to attend in person. I, on behalf of myself and Related Persons, knowingly, voluntarily, and irrevocably, assume all as risks and dangers of attending a CFC event in person and entering the event premises, which may include an increased risk of exposure to communicable diseases (including, without limitation, COVID-19), viruses, bacteria or illnesses or the cause thereof, sickness, personal injury, disability, other short-term or long-term health effects, and/or death, which might result from the actions, inactions, or negligence of the CFC, any of the Released Parties, or other third parties, whether occurring before, during or after the event, however caused and whether inside or outside of the event premises. I hereby accept personal responsibility for my voluntary participation in/at the event and assume, on behalf of myself and Related Persons, all responsibility of claims and potential claims relating to the risk and dangers described in this Agreement.

WAIVER OF LAWSUIT/LIABILITY: I, ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND RELATED PERSONS, HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY, IRREVOCABLY, AND FOREVER RELEASE RELEASE, WAIVE, AND DISCHARGE (AND COVENANTS NOT TO SUE), EACH OF THE RELEASED PARTIES WITH RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL CLAIMS THAT I AND ANY OF THE RELATED PERSONS MAY HAVE (OR HEREINAFTER ACCRUE) AGAINST ANY OF THE RELEASED PARTIES THAT RELATE TO ANY OF THE RISKS, HAZARDS AND DANGERS DESCRIBED IN THIS AGREEMENT, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY AND ALL CLAIMS THAT ARISE OUT OF OR RELATE IN ANY WAY TO (I) MY EXPOSURE TO COVID-19; (II) RELATED PERSON’S OR RELATED PERSONS’ EXPOSURE TO COVID-19, (III) MY TRAVEL TO AND FROM, ENTRY INTO, OR PRESENCE WITHIN, THE EVENT PREMISES; (IV) ANY INTERACTION BETWEEN ME AND ANY PERSONNEL OF ANY OF THE RELEASED PARTIES PRESENT AT THE EVENT; OR (V) ANY OF THE RISKS IDENTIFIED IN THIS AGREEMENT (ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS OF COVID-19 AND OTHER RISKS) (COLLECTIVELY, THE “CLAIMS”), IN EACH CASE WHETHER CAUSED BY ANY ACTION, INACTION OR NEGLIGENCE OF ANY RELEASED PARTY OR OTHERWISE.

I understand that this waiver means I give up my right to bring any claim based in negligence, including for personal injuries, death, disease or property losses, or any other loss, whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen.

CHOICE OF LAW: I hereby agree that the law of the State of California will apply to this Agreement.

CLASS ACTION WAIVER: I hereby agree that any and all disputes, including any Claims made by me against any of the Released Parties must be brought on an individual basis only. By signing this Agreement, I hereby waive any right to litigate or arbitrate any Claim as a class action, representative action or class arbitration against any of the Released Parties.

SEVERABILITY: I hereby agree that if any provision or part thereof contained in this Agreement is declared illegal, unenforceable, or ineffective, such provision or part thereof shall be deemed severable, such that all other provisions contained in this Agreement shall remain valid and binding.

WAIVER OF CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542: I specifically and expressly waive all rights under Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, to assert a claim that may now exist or that may arise in the future based on facts that may be unknown to me now. Section 1542 of the California Civil Code states “a general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by him or her must have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor.” By waiving this provision, I expressly have, fully, finally, and forever settled and released any and all claims arising from my participation in CFC events.

BY AGREEING TO THIS WAIVER IN THE CHECK-OUT PROCESS, I ASSERT THAT I HAVE CAREFULLY READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND ALL PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT, AND FREELY, KNOWINGLY, AND VOLUNTARILY E-SIGN THIS AGREEMENT. I understand its terms and I am aware of its legal consequences, including that I am hereby giving up substantial legal rights and that by signing this Agreement, I understand I am forever prevented from suing or otherwise asserting a Claim against any of the Released Parties. Agreement to the waiver is required for attendance.

By registering for this in-person event I…

Assert that I have read this waiver in full and understand its content Consent to the COVID waiver I will follow any safety protocols set forth by the CFC Understand that vaccination is required and I will be asked to present my vaccine card.