What is Theraplay?
Theraplay® is a short-term, therapist-guided dyadic psychotherapy that focuses on parent-child relationships and has been accepted by SAMHSA as an evidence-based practice. It:
1. Enhances attachment, self-esteem, and trust in others through joyful engagement
2. Elicits cooperation and improves behaviour issues in children through positive connection rather than focusing on solving negative problems
3. Creates an active and empathic connection between child and parents
4. Focuses on four essential qualities found in parent-child relationships: structure, engagement, nurture and challenge
5. Results in changed view of the self as worthy and loveable, and of relationships as positive
Learning objectives
1. Administer and analyze the MIM
2. Utilize the MIM as a guide for treatment planning
3. Describe the four dimensions of Theraplay and demonstrate one activity from each dimension
4. Describe ways to adapt Theraplay treatment to meet the needs of a child with complex trauma
5. Describe how to guide parents to participate in a Theraplay session
Programme content includes
1. Principles of attachment theory on an intellectual and experiential level
2. The Four Dimensions of Theraplay for Child Development
3. Experiential exercises to turn a child’s resistance into cooperation and therapeutic progress
4. Videos of Theraplay treatment with many different clients in addition to the demonstration family with children and more!
Level One Theraplay and MIM training and one-day Group training dates
Monday, 17 November to Friday, 21 November 2025
Where is the Level One Theraplay and MIM training and one-day Group training taking place?
St Andrew’s Children’s Society
7 John’s Place
Edinburgh
EH6 7EL
Who should attend the Theraplay and MIM training and one-day Group training?
Psychologists and Psychiatrists, Social Workers, Clinical Counsellors, Marriage and Family Therapists, School Counsellors, Play Therapists, Infant Mental Health Professionals, Special Education Teachers, and others.
Course fees
£1,150.
Full payment is required one month before the training date.
Cancellation policy
Substitutions are accepted up until the day of training. Full refunds (minus £25 processing fee) will only be granted for cancellations made at least 21 days prior to the day of the training. Cancellations received after this date are non-refundable.
Information and eligibility for attending Level One Theraplay & MIM and one-day Group training
This Level One Theraplay & MIM and one-day Group training will introduce you to the theory and practice of Theraplay. It will provide you with new learning and ideas to integrate into your current professional work with families. The training does not qualify you to deliver Theraplay or Theraplay Informed Practice. The full/further training in Theraplay requires extended supervised practice, called the practicum that starts after the Level One Theraplay & MIM.
Eligibility criteria to attend the training
From April 2020, in order to be eligible to book onto a Level One Theraplay & MIM and one-day Group training course you must fulfill the following requirements:
Be an accredited/registered member of a professional body that requires you to work within a framework of ethical practice and has a complaints procedure in place, which clients can access.
OR
Be employed within an organisation that holds clinical responsibility for your work and has a procedure in place to respond to client complaints.
Best practice guidance
On completing the Level 1 training you will be required to sign the Theraplay Institute Best Practice Guidance Agreement prior to receiving your certificate. This requires that you confirm you meet the eligibility criteria above and that you hold appropriate liability insurance (see
https://www.theraplay.org.uk/)
How to book a space
If you would like to book a space please contact the Duty Worker on
aW5mbyB8IHN0YW5kcmV3cy1jaGlsZHJlbiAhIG9yZyAhIHVr / 0131 454 3370.
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