Integrating Social Justice into Child-Centered Play Therapy: Building Inclusive Spaces for Growth

NASW-WA Live Webinar

3 CE Credits - Meets the WA State DOH Health Equity Requirement

Presented by Lauren Chase, PhD, Counselor Education, LCMHC

Register Now: https://tinyurl.com/5ed6befp

Price: $75/NASW Members, $120/Non-Members

Webinar summary:
This interactive training introduces participants to ways Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) can be applied through a social justice lens. Participants will explore how systemic influences, cultural identity, and advocacy intersect with children’s mental health. The course provides strategies for fostering equity in therapeutic playrooms, supporting resilience in marginalized children, and empowering clinicians to engage families and communities.

Goals and Objectives:

1. Identify systemic influences impacting child clients and their families.
2. Apply CCPT strategies to create culturally responsive and inclusive play therapy environments.
3. Demonstrate ways to integrate advocacy into clinical practice and community partnerships.

Presenter Bio:
Lauren Chase, PhD, Counselor Education, LCMHC, is a licensed clinical mental health counselor (PhD, LCMHC, PMH-C) and the founder of Climbing Hills Counseling, a private practice specializing in supporting high-achieving women, parents, and individuals navigating anxiety, burnout, and life transitions. Her clinical expertise also includes perinatal mental health and child-centered play therapy, where I integrate evidence-based interventions such as CBT, mindfulness, and person-centered approaches.  In addition to her clinical practice, she serves as a core faculty member at Walden University, where she teaches graduate counseling courses including Field Experience, Pre-Practicum, Group Lab, and Social Change in Action. In this role, she provides instruction, supervision, and mentorship to master’s and doctoral counseling students, focusing on clinical skill development, ethical practice, and culturally responsive care.  Lauren has also designed and facilitated professional trainings and continuing education workshops for counselors and allied professionals. Her presentations include topics such as integrating social justice into child-centered play therapy, empathy and self-care for clinicians, and perinatal mental health. She has presented at national and regional conferences, including the Association for Play Therapy and the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling, and have collaborated with professional organizations such as Postpartum Support International and Mental Health Academy.  Her dual roles as a clinician and an educator allow her to translate theory into practice, offering participants practical strategies that enhance both client outcomes and professional growth.