Play Therapy Conference

The University of Arkansas Office of Play Therapy Research & Training presents

Engaging Caregivers in Children's Healing Process:

Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT): An Evidence-Based 10-Session Model

11th Annual Play Therapy Conference

Presented by Sue Bratton, Ph.D., LPC-S, RPT-S

Waldrip Hall, Don Tyson Center for Agricultural Sciences

1371 W. Altheimer Drive, Fayetteville

Friday-Saturday, June 27-28, 2025

12 CEUs (Continuing Education Units) Available (APT Provider #15-403)

Registration and Fee

  • Professionals
  • Students
    • $150 — Rate for students in mental health fields — including counseling, psychology and social work — with verification of full-time student status
    • Please register online

Please email organizers  to arrange  special accommodations.

Cancellations — A refund for the full amount less a $15 administrative fee will be given for cancellations made at least two weeks prior to the event. No refunds will be given for cancellations made two weeks or less prior to the event. To cancel your registration and request a refund, please email eh056@uark.edu.

Presenter — Sue Bratton, Ph.D., LPC-S, RPT-S

Sue BrattonSue Bratton, Ph.D., LPC-S, RPT-S is a professor emerita of the University of North Texas and director emerita of the UNT Center for Play Therapy with over 30 years of experience as a practitioner, researcher and teacher. Sue is an nationally and internationally known speaker and author with over 100 publications and over 350 professional presentations in the areas of child and family counseling, with a specific focus on Child-Centered Play Therapy and Filial Therapy/Child-Parent Relationship Therapy. Sue is co-author of Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT), the CPRT Treatment Manual and CPRT in Action, a demonstration video illustrating CPRT with adoptive families, as well as two additional contemporary  texts, Child-Centered Play Therapy Research and Integrative Play Therapy. Sue’s research agenda focuses on examining the effectiveness of Child-Parent Relationship Therapy, Child-Centered Play Therapy, and school-based counseling services for young children and their families.  Sue is a past president of the Association for Play Therapy, recipient of the 2016 APT Lifetime Achievement Award, 2007 APT Outstanding Research Award, the 2011 Chi Sigma Iota Outstanding Practitioner Supervisor Award, the 2013 ACA Best Practice Award, the 2013 AHC Humanistic Educator/ Supervisor Award, the 2014 ACA Extended Research Award, and several UNT teaching, research and service awards. Sue is also co-creator of the international certification program for Child-Centered Play Therapy and Child-Parent Relationship Therapy. Sue is an active social advocate for children at the local, national and international levels, particularly for underserved children who have experienced interpersonal trauma. Her career-long passion and record of service is focused on helping children receive the help and nurturing they need to reach their personal potential.

Program

Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) is an evidence-based, culturally responsive play therapy intervention grounded in the principles, attitudes and skills of Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT). CPRT focuses on fostering a secure and attuned caregiver-child attachment and empowering caregivers to make a significant difference in their children’s lives. In this unique approach, professional play therapists experienced in CCPT train and supervise caregivers to become therapeutic agents in their children’s lives under the direct supervision of a CPRT therapist. The CPRT protocol was originally structured for use with children ages 3-10 but has been expanded to include protocols for parents of toddlers, parents of pre-adolescents, adoptive families and teachers. Using a format of didactic instruction, demonstration play sessions, required weekly 30-minute play sessions and supervision, caregivers are taught CCPT attitudes and skills to facilitate sensitivity to and understanding of their child’s underlying needs. Engaging caregivers in their child’s healing process has the added benefit of preventing future problems. 

Over 30 controlled outcome studies demonstrate CPRT’s significant beneficial effects across diverse populations and a range of presenting issues including children’s internalizing and externalizing behavior problems and stress in the parent-child relationship.  Because of CPRT’s substantial body of research, CPRT has received national recognition as an evidence-based practice (EBP). CPRT’s designation as an EBP, along with its preventative nature and relatively brief treatment time frame make this treatment model attractive in today’s mental health climate.

This practical "how-to" workshop will provide participants with the essential foundation toward becoming a CPRT practitioner. Based on the presenter’s experience, video demonstrations and role-play, participants will learn:

  1. How to teach child-centered play therapy skills to caregivers
  2. Essential materials and toys needed
  3. Techniques for engaging caregivers in the learning process
  4. How to balance meeting caregivers emotional needs while ensuring they learn the necessary CCPT skills
  5. Strategies for supervising the required parent-child play sessions

Participants will view video segments of the inner workings of a CPRT group of adoptive families co-led by Dr. Bratton and Dr. Garry Landreth. 

Learning Objectives

Following the completion of this 2-day workshop, participants will be able to:

  1. Differentiate CPRT from other therapeutic parenting models
  2. Discuss one way that CPRT is informed and supported by the field of Interpersonal Neurobiology
  3. State two rationales for involving parents in therapeutic play sessions with their children
  4. Identify and demonstrate the basic CCPT skills that CPRT facilitators teach parents
  5. List the 3 Ds for successfully teaching parents CCPT skills
  6. Describe the structure of the CPRT parent-child play sessions including toy selection
  7. Identify the three roles of the CPRT therapist to effectively facilitate CPRT
  8. Identify two strategies for providing supportive feedback and supervision of caregiver-child play sessions
  9. Name two components of CPRT designed to ensure caregiver success in learning CCPT attitudes and skills
  10. Name two strategies for balancing didactic and supportive components of CPRT
  11. Discuss cultural considerations in applying CPRT with diverse populations
  12. Describe the substantive evidence base for CPRT in the context of the body of play therapy research

For more information, please contact
Kristi L. Perryman, Ph.D., LPC-S (AR, MO), RPT-S
Associate Professor, Counselor Education and Supervision
klperry@uark.edu
Counselor Education and Supervision Program
Department of Counseling, Leadership and Research Methods
University of Arkansas

The U of A Counselor Education and Supervision Program is an Approved Provider of the Assocation for Play Therapy (APT) No. 15-403.