Introduction to Child-Centered Play Therapy
Presented by Sarah Agarwal, Ph.D, LPC, RPT™, NCC
January 23, 2026
Discover the power of play as a pathway to healing and growth! This interactive training introduces the core principles and techniques of Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) — a developmentally responsive approach that honors the child’s natural ability to express, explore, and resolve challenges through play. Participants will gain an understanding of the philosophy and goals of CCPT, observe and practice foundational skills such as tracking, reflecting feelings, and therapeutic limit setting, and explore how play therapy can support emotional regulation and resilience in children. Whether you’re a counseling intern, educator, or community professional, this workshop offers a supportive and experiential introduction to building strong, empathetic relationships with children through play and CCPT.
Training Objectives
Credits
In-Person: 6 Contact Hours / CE Credits
Location
Ensemble Therapy
Northwest Austin Location
4210 Spicewood Springs, Suite 203
Austin, Texas 78759
Details
Continuing Education for Professionals
In-Person Training
Date
January 23rd, 2026
Time
9:00am - 4:00pm CT
Pricing
$240, with sliding scale community option
In this live training for play therapists, participants will:
Participants will be able to describe the core principles, theoretical foundations, and goals of Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT).
Participants will be able to explain how Child-Centered Play Therapy (CPPT) principles guide therapeutic interactions with children.
Participants will be able to demonstrate reflective responding in Child-Centered Play Therapy (CPPT).
Participants will be able to demonstrate limit setting (using the A-C-T model) in Child-Centered Play Therapy (CPPT).
Participants will be able to demonstrate tracking behavior in Child-Centered Play Therapy (CPPT) to facilitate children’s self-expression and self-direction.
Participants will be able to apply Child-Centered Play Therapy (CPPT) principles to real-world scenarios by identifying appropriate play therapy responses, discussing common challenges, and reflecting on how Child-Centered Play Therapy (CPPT) can support children’s emotional growth in various settings.
Presented by
Sarah Agarwal, Ph.D, LPC, RPT™, NCC
Dr. Sarah Agarwal is an assistant professor at St. Edward’s University and a certified trainer and CCPT supervisor through the Center for Play Therapy at the University of North Texas. She has presented at national and state conferences on play therapy and expressive arts, as well as teaches play therapy electives for graduate students.
Good to Know
This training is taking place in-person.
This training will not be recorded.
For in-person attendees, please dress comfortably, bring a water bottle, snacks, and anything else you need to feel comfortable in a classroom setting for the duration of our training.
To receive CE credits, participants must attend the full presentation and must complete the post-presentation evaluation.
Ensemble Therapy is an Approved Provider for the Association for Play Therapy (APT), Approved Provider 23-706. Ensemble Therapy is an approved provider endorsed by an international organization and therefore trainings quality for the 50% CEs mandated by the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council (BHEC) for LPC and LMFT. Play Therapy credit is available to mental health professionals and graduate students in a mental health program.
It is the responsibility of the attendee to verify whether CE credit offered by the Ensemble Learning Center meets the regulations of the participant’s licensing/certification board.
Before registering, please see our Frequently Asked Questions, including cancellations and refund policy, at the bottom of this page.
Sign Up To Secure Your Spot
Enrollment closes on January 22nd at 9:00am CT.
We are committed to making continuing education more readily available so therapists and professionals from all backgrounds have the tools and support to provide relevant and nuanced care with awareness and sensitivity. Please choose the enrollment option that applies to you and your circumstances.
ENROLLMENT RATE
$240
This is the actual cost of enrollment, and this rate is meant for attendees who are able to comfortably meet their basic needs with room for expendable purchases, and those who benefit from financial support or systemic privilege.
USE CODE EARLYRATE-JAN23 FOR $30 OFF UNTIL THREE WEEKS BEFORE
COMMUNITY RATE
$210
This reduced rate is for attendees who are students, those who are Black, Indigenous, or people of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, those living with disabilities, experiencing financial hardship, or who have been impacted by systemic inequity.
USE CODE COMMUNITY-30 TO APPLY COMMUNITY DISCOUNT
January 23rd, 2026
Discover the power of play as a pathway to healing and growth! This interactive training introduces the core principles and techniques of Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT).
Training FAQ
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These learning sessions are designed for professional counselors, social workers, school counselors, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, play therapists, teachers, occupational therapists, child life specialists, school administration, graduate students, and professionals working with children or pursuing training to do so. The content of our learning sessions is presented at the graduate level using inclusive and friendly approaches, but if you are not intending on working with children, we suggest you take a look at our workshops for caregivers and families, which are facilitated for everyone who is interested in deepening their knowledge and connection with children in their lives.
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All of Ensemble's professional trainings offer continuing education credits for licensed professionals, and some of those trainings provide play therapy credit for mental health professionals or students enrolled in a graduate mental health program. It is up to you to read the listed details for each presentation and verify whether CE credit offered by the Ensemble Learning Center meets the regulations of your licensing/certification board prior to signing up.
Offerings listed For Caregivers do not include the option for CE credits, though we always welcome anyone who wants to attend!
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Not all learning sessions count toward play therapy credit. For select trainings, play therapy credit may be awarded to graduate students enrolled in a graduate mental health program or individuals who hold a graduate mental health degree. To receive credit, participants must meet all listed requirements for the training. Play therapy continuing education credit will not be awarded to non-mental health professionals.
Ensemble Therapy is an APT Approved Provider #23-706. The CE hours you earn for qualifying trainings can be applied toward your credentialing as a Registered Play Therapist™, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™ or School Based-Registered Play Therapist™.
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No partial CE credit is available. Attendees must be present for the entire duration of the learning session and complete all requirements.
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Cancellation requests can be made by email hello@ensemblelearningcenter.com.
Cancellations received at least 14 days prior to a scheduled learning session are refundable at 50% of the registration fee. Cancellations received less than 14 days prior to a scheduled learning session will receive no refund or credit. No shows or missed learning sessions will receive no refund or credit.
Should Ensemble Learning Center need to cancel a learning session, we will make every attempt to notify paid registrants in a timely manner. All paid registrants will receive a full refund.
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All in-person learning sessions occur in our conference room at Ensemble Therapy’s Spicewood office location. To protect the confidentiality of our clients and respect our healing environment so important therapeutic work can occur, only adult registrants are allowed to attend our learning sessions.
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A replacement CE certificate can be obtained for a $25 administrative fee. Please reach out to hello@ensemblelearningcenter.com to request an additional copy.