Play Therapy
winter ACADEMY 2026
Collaborating with Parents in Play Therapy
3 Live Trainings with Maria Arias on Zoom
Jan 22, Feb 5 and Feb 19
recording available
9 CEU's
Do you dread that parent call?
Wish you felt as confident working with parents as you do working with kids?
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
PART 1
Goal Setting w Parents
Put down the expert hat for a moment and meet parents right where they are.
Learn to inspire and empower parents for success and guide parents across the corpus callosum. Hear them with HEART.
Get present with the challenges. Be creative (you may be surprised by what you come up with)!
Help everyone relax, feel seen and and maybe have a laugh… or a yawn
PART 2
Resourcing Parents
When and how to resource parents?
Offer parent-ready tools on Nervous System and developing Executive Skills.
Give parents homework that they will do that is JUST RIGHT (not too little, not too much)
Help parents see their impact on behaviors.
Be ready for parent follow-up calls to work very closely together!
PART 3
Parents in the Playroom
Welcome parents into the play room orienting them to their role, what to expect and how they can support play.
Give parents a plan for presence in the playroom.
Handy 1-page guide to use in the room.
Help track with parents where the play is headed and the benefits to the child and family.
READY TO FEEL CONFIDENT WORKING WITH PARENTS?
Join me in January for a special series of workshops- spots are limited!
WHAT THIS IS
A practical approach that works across theories and therapist experience levels.
A new approach to working with parents.
A way explain to parents what we do and WHY.
A simple framework with development and attachment in mind.
And a unique approach to welcoming parents into the playroom (when and if it’s right)
WHAT THIS IS NOT
This is not therapy for the parent
This is not a crash course in Interpersonal Neurobiology and the history of Attachment Science for parents
This is not a one-size-fits-all-parents approach (or a one-size-fits-all-therapists approach)
Hi, I'm Mali Arias!
I once had parents walk out of a session because they felt it was a big waste of time to play "Guess Who" for the whole hour.
And, had parents look at me and wonder how "play" will help keep their child from being kicked out of preschool, AGAIN!
When I was a new play therapist I was great at connecting with the kids, not so much the parents!
I felt OVERWHELMED!
After working with 100's of families I realized I was sharing concepts and ideas as well as resources.
and patterns began to emerge...
Parents need to be heard, too
I need to be resourced.
Some parents want tools, others can't or won't (that's ok, I can do my work either way)
A lot of kids need help with (blank) in my practice right now.
Wow! Parents want to be in the playroom and it can be GREAT!
2026
Winter Academy
DATES & TOPICS
3 LIVE workshops Zoom
• 3 hours each
• 9 hours CEU
• Spots Limited!
•Recording sent out 24hrs later
PART 1
Goal Setting w Parents
January 22, 2026
9:00 AM–12PM CST
The First 7 Questions: join with parents from the first meeting
Set Small Positive Goals: create a positive vision forward
Play Therapy Intensive Model and YOU: make the most of sessions
PART 2
Resourcing Parents
February 5, 2026
9:00 AM–12PM CST
The Root & Bloom Guide: the nervous system and executive skills
Family Nervous System Guide: how we impact each other
The Root & Reach Chart: development and growth
PART 3
Parents into the Playroom
February 19, 2026
9:00 AM–12PM CST
The Treasure Map: orienting parents to their role in the playroom
Present Play Skills Guide: parent tools for presence
Relational Play Skills Ladder: how play grows
What Therapists Are Saying
"Working with Maria was fantastic!
She has a wealth of knowledge and information."
"Mali is able to bring a new perspective to the most intractable situations
and offer ideas for successful interventions"
This helps us explain to parents WHAT we do and WHY!
INVESTMENT: $299
