Using Play Therapy with Children who Don’t or Won’t Verbalize
Date: April 16th 2026
Time: 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Presented by: Dr. Jodi MullenPhD, LMHC, NCC, RPT-S, CCPT- Master
Fee: $185/person
Location:
Online Webinar
CEs: 3 CE Live, In Person
Description:
Children who don’t or won’t verbalize can communicate in many meaningful ways beyond spoken words. Helping professionals can benefit greatly from understanding and responding to alternative communication modes such as gestures, facial expressions, body language, play and behavior cues. Rather than focusing solely on eliciting verbal speech, learn how play therapy can support connection, build rapport, reduce anxiety, and foster genuine social interaction. This presentation explores play therapy strategies for recognizing diverse communication attempts, engaging children respectfully, and tailoring environments and interventions to enable participation and relationship building for all children, regardless of verbal output.
Objectives:
- Explain multiple modes of communication beyond spoken language and how to interpret them accurately in play therapy.
- Apply play therapy strategies for engaging non-speaking and minimally speaking children in ways that build trust and encourage healing, growth and change without pressure to verbalize.
- Develop ways of communicating that incorporate child preferences, low-pressure environments, and consistent routines to reduce anxiety related to communication and social interaction
About the presenter:
Dr. Jodi Mullen is a professor at SUNY Oswego in the Counseling & Psychological Services Department. She primarily teaches in the Mental Health Counseling Program. She is the director of Integrative Counseling Services, with several offices in Central New York. Dr. Mullen is an international speaker, author, credentialed play therapist and play therapy supervisor. Dr. Mullen has over 25 years in the field of counseling. She has authored books on play therapy, counseling children and adolescents, supervision, grief counseling and parenting. Dr. Mullen was the 2008 recipient of the Key Award for Professional Training & Education through the Association for Play Therapy. She is the proud Momma of Leah & Andrew.
Workshop Purchase Disclaimer:
Thank you for your interest in our workshop! Please note that by purchasing a ticket in advance, you agree to receive communications from Integrative Counseling Services regarding event updates and information.
We aim to ensure that all attendees receive timely communication leading up to the workshop. If you have purchased a ticket and have not received an email with event details at least one week before the scheduled date, please contact us at Integrative Counseling Services by calling 315.342.9255.
While we strive to deliver all correspondence promptly, please understand that external factors beyond our control may affect email delivery. Integrative Counseling Services shall not be held responsible if you do not receive correspondence and fail to reach out to us within the specified timeframe.
Your satisfaction and seamless experience are our priorities, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
Integrative Counseling Services, PLLC is approved by The Association for Play Therapy to offer continuing education specific to play therapy. Our provider number is 06-168. Integrative Counseling Services, PLLC maintains responsibility for the program.
Cancellation, Non-Attendance & Refund Policy:
Cancellation, Non-Attendance & Refund Policy:
Workshop registrations are subject to the following refund schedule:
- Cancellations made 10 or more days prior to the scheduled workshop date are fully refundable minus a 5% transaction fee.
- Cancellations made less than 10 days prior to the workshop are eligible for a 50% refund.
- Same-day cancellations and no-shows are not eligible for a refund. Failure to attend the workshop for any reason does not automatically qualify for a refund.
All refund requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and are granted solely at the discretion of Integrative Counseling Services. Submission of a refund request does not guarantee approval.
For virtual or hybrid workshops, the presenter and Integrative Counseling Services are not responsible for participant connectivity issues, technical difficulties, or individual access problems.
In the event that Integrative Counseling Services must cancel the workshop, registrants will be notified and issued a full refund or offered the option to transfer their registration to a future workshop.
