Illuminating Child Perspectives and Fostering Parent Partnerships in Digital Play
with Dr. Rachel Altvater and Dr. Victoria Kennedy-Adkins
Saturday, January 23rd, 2027
Virtual | Live Interactive Webinar
Presenter Biography
Dr. Rachel Altvater (Psy.D., RPT-S™) is a multi-award winning, pioneering expert, leader, researcher, international trainer, author, and supervisor in the field of play therapy. She is a licensed psychologist and holds national certifications as a Registered Play Therapist–Supervisor™ and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. She is the owner of Creative Psychological Health Services, past president of the Maryland/DC Association for Play Therapy, editorial advisory board member for the International Journal of Play Therapy®, clinical advisory board member for PlaySpace, and clinical consultant for Hopscotch. Dr. Altvater authored the book Perspective: Contemplating the Complexities of Our Realities, published her research in the International Journal of PlayTherapy® on technology use in play therapy, and is a contributing author in numerous scholarly texts on implementing digital technologies in play therapy practice.
Dr. Victoria Kennedy-Adkins (PsyD) is a compassionate clinician and emerging leader in the field of play therapy. She is a Post-Doctoral Fellow and Registered Psychology Associate in Maryland, with a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Loyola University of Maryland. Dr. Kennedy-Adkins specializes in supporting children, adolescents, and families in therapy through a person-centered, playful approach that fosters emotional healing, communication, and resiliency. She has trained extensively at renowned institutions, including Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Kennedy Krieger Institute, and Geisinger Medical Center, and has presented research on parental technoference and preschool social competence. As a mentee of Dr. Rachel Altvater and a member of the Board of Directors for the Maryland/DC Association for Play Therapy, Dr. Kennedy-Adkins is dedicated to advancing play therapy advocacy in her local communities. Whether she’s advocating for the power of play in her community, exploring the endless utility of the digital realm, or co-creating meaningful change in the therapy, Dr. Kennedy-Adkins is passionate about helping children and families build resilience, connection, and joy.
Program Description
This training links the digital experiences of children with clinician and caregiver understanding to support meaningful progress in play therapy. As digital native children increasingly use technology for exploration, entertainment, socialization, and self-expression, it is essential for play therapists to recognize the value of these digital spaces and meet children where they are to foster genuine engagement. Participants will gain foundational knowledge for integrating digital technologies into play therapy, focusing on understanding children’s perspectives and effectively translating these insights to caregivers.
The training delves into the therapeutic powers of play, themes and symbolism in digital play, and practical strategies for engaging and supporting parents. By exploring a child’s lived experience in the digital space, clinicians will be better equipped to help caregivers connect with their child’s world and address anxieties about incorporating digital play in therapy. This training aims to close the gap between child and caregiver perspectives, promoting alignment on treatment goals and fostering collaborative understanding.
Through case examples, experiential activities, and actionable tools, participants will develop the skills needed to address caregiver concerns, introduce digital play effectively, and support the growth of digital native children. Grounded in humanistic principles, the training emphasizes meeting children in their spaces of comfort and familiarity, speaking their language through digital mediums, and empowering them to take the lead in their play therapy journey.
Learning Objectives
-
Identify the core concepts of Digital Play Therapy™ to deepen clinicians’ ability to interpret children’s digital interactions.
-
Discuss effective approaches for engaging caregivers, easing their concerns about digital play, and promoting collaborative relationships to amplify play therapy strategies.
-
Implement actionable methods and resources to incorporate digital play into therapy, fostering child-led engagement and enhancing connections between children and their caregivers.
CE Credit
Play Therapy
3 APT Non-contact CE Credits
This event is sponsored by New Jersey Association for Play Therapy. New Jersey Association for Play Therapy is approved by the Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to play therapy (APT Approved Provider No. 05-159).
Primary Areas of Instruction
-
Play Therapy Special Topics
Play therapy credit available to mental health professionals & graduate students in a mental health program.
Please Note: To receive credit, participants must attend the full program and complete all required components, including the course evaluation. CE certificate will be issued within one week post-completion of all course requirements.
Please contact us with any questions regarding continuing education credit eligibility.
Policies & Procedures
Grievance Policy
New Jersey Association for Play Therapy (NJAPT) is committed to conducting activities in compliance with ethical and legal standards in mental health professions. However, NJAPT also recognizes that complaints may arise. NJAPT strives to address complaints as quickly as possible when they happen.
The materials and claims made by the presenters are theirs alone, and that using what is learned in trainings is expected to be incorporated into sound clinical and ethical judgment. Complaints may be submitted either verbally or in writing to the NJ APT President. The following guidelines are followed with respect to achieving resolution:
-
For complaints relative to a speaker or workshop leader, contents of instructional materials being presented, or an individual education style being used, the individual voicing disapproval is requested to first address concerns to the presenter. If the presenter is not available, the individual will place his/her/their comments in writing. The NJ APT President or acting liaison will convey these comments to the speaker while maintaining confidentiality of the complainant.
-
If the complaint concerns a continuing education activity, its content, level of presentation, or facilities in which the event is being held, the President will attempt to resolve the matter as expeditiously as possible. If the offered resolution (resolutions may include but not be limited to partial/full refund of fee paid; credit towards a future event) not satisfactory to the individual filing the complaint, then further action may be taken.
In the latter instance, the individual is requested to place his/her/their complaint in writing to the attention of the President of NJ APT. The complaint is then reviewed by the President and Immediate Past President in consultation with the Conference Committee and/or CE administrator. A written response will be issued within 30 days of the receipt of the written complaint.
Within 30 days of the resolution, the complainant may file a written appeal to the President. The decision of the President is final.
Refund Policy
Refund requests for must be submitted in writing to nja4pt@gmail.com no later than 30 days prior to the scheduled program start date for a full refund minus any processing fees. For a 50% refund minus any processing fees, requests must be made no later than 15 days prior to the scheduled program start date. For a 30% refund minus any processing fees, requests must be made no later than 2 days prior to the scheduled program start date. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made the day before or the day of the program start date.
Disclosure Statement
It is the goal of NJ APT to provide educational seminars and workshops that are free from commercial interests, conflicts of interest, financial relationships. NJ APT aims to provide quality programs that are grounded in play therapy theory, empirically sound, and free of external bias. NJ APT asks that instructors present materials that are supported by empirical evidence and to clearly outline the accuracy and efficacy of their program. Instructors are also expected to discuss the limitations of their program and the risks that may be involved.
NJ APT requires that any personal or financial relationships by those in a position to influence or control content be disclosed. NJ APT encourages instructors to produce documentation identifying any conflict of interest, competing interest, or commercial support for each program. Should any conflicts of interest be disclosed, NJ APT and the disclosing party agree to resolve them before moving ahead with the planning or participation of any workshop or seminar. By participating in educational seminars or workshops hosted by NJ APT, participants are not required to produce, market, re-sell, or distribute any material or other services.
Additionally, it is noted that educational material and content is the property of the instructors, not NJ APT. NJ APT does not make any claims or promises regarding the efficacy of techniques or products represented during educational seminars and workshops, and it is expected that participants will use what is taught alongside their best clinical and ethical judgment.
Cost
Pre-licensed Graduate Students: $50
All students must submit current course schedule or other form of proof of current student enrollment to nja4pt@gmail.com. If we do not receive your proof of current student status within 24 hours of registration, your registration will be cancelled and refunded minus any processing fees.
NJ APT Members: $50
Non-Members: $60
**Registration and CEs are included in the cost.
