Increasing Inclusivity in Play Therapy Spaces: Exploring Gender Identity & Sexual Orientation
Presented by A.B. Parris, LCSW, RPT™ and Kamini Verma, LCSW-S, RPT-S™
February 28, 2026
This training invites play therapists to examine how identity, culture, and personal bias influence the therapeutic relationship with children, teens and families. Through reflective discussion and case-based learning, participants will explore inclusive approaches that promote emotional safety, authenticity, and resilience within the playroom. Emphasis will be placed on integrating best practices related to diverse identities and culturally responsive interventions. Attendees will leave with practical tools for continued self-reflection and professional growth in cultivating inclusive, developmentally appropriate play therapy spaces for all children and adolescents.
Training Objectives
Credits
In-Person: 3 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
February 28, 2026
Time
11:30am - 2:30pm CT
Pricing
$120, with sliding scale community option
In this in-person training for play therapists, participants will:
Identify personal privilege, bias, and intersecting identities and analyze their influence on the therapeutic relationship and play therapy process with LGBTQIA2S+ kids, teens and their families.
Explain the importance of inclusive and identity-affirming approaches and describe how play therapy interventions can foster emotional safety, self-expression, and resilience among LGBTQIA2S+ clients.
Demonstrate an understanding of best practices related to Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Expression (SOGIE) in play therapy with kids and teens.
Discuss an individual plan for continued self-reflection and professional development to expand cultural humility and competence in SOGIE-inclusive play therapy practice.
Presented by
A.B. Parris. LCSW, RPT™
And
Kamini Verma, LCSW-S, RPT-S™
A.B. Parris (she/they) is a neurodivergent, queer, genderqueer person, LCSW and RPT with almost 20 years of experience working with children and youth from hard places. Their current focus is on supporting children, youth, and young adults with multiple marginalized identities, especially those who identify as both queer and neurodivergent. A.B. holds an MSSW from the University of Texas at Austin with specialized training in AutPlay®, EMDR, Internal Family Systems, and Child-Centered and Synergetic Play Therapy. She provides person-centered, affirming therapy to people 4-25 including supporting caregivers and advocating for client supports outside of the play room.
Kamini Verma (she/her), is a cisgender clinician who is actively exploring her own identity and orientation. A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor and Certified Synergetic Play Therapist with over 20 years of experience, she holds an MSSW from the University of Texas at Austin and advanced training in TBRI®, EMDR, and Theraplay. Her expertise includes trauma, attachment, adoption, identity development, anxiety, and grief. Kamini provides therapy to children ages 5–17 using a person-centered, prescriptive framework that integrates play therapy, CBT, solution-focused, and sand tray approaches, emphasizing attunement and authenticity.
Good to Know
This is an in-person training.
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 February 27th at 11:30am 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
$120
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-FEB28 FOR $15 OFF UNTIL THREE WEEKS BEFORE
COMMUNITY RATE
$105
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-15 TO APPLY COMMUNITY DISCOUNT
February 28th, 2026
This training invites play therapists to examine how identity, culture, and personal bias influence the therapeutic relationship with youth and families. Through reflective discussion and case-based learning, participants will explore inclusive approaches that promote emotional safety, authenticity, and resilience within the playroom.
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.