Countertransference, Consciousness, and Curated Congruence: Authentic Self and the Play Therapist

Countertransference, Consciousness, and Curated Congruence: Authentic Self and the Play Therapist

Speaker: Paris Goodyear-Brown, PhD, LCSW, RPT-S, CPC, EMDRIA Approved Consultant

Date: Friday, August 21, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM to 1:15 PM (please note this is Central Time)

Description:

The concept of the therapist’s authentic use of self has been amplified in recent years as one of the most important aspects of creating conditions for safety with play therapy clients. But what do we mean by authenticity? Is it possible that bringing our whole authentic self to the playroom could be detrimental to the play therapy client? How do we decide, on a moment-to-moment basis, which clinical conditions are helped or hindered by the play therapist’s authenticity?

This workshop is designed to help clinicians reflect on countertransference processes that the play therapist may experience with children and their caregivers, explore the parts of self, both personal and professional, that may be activated during a clinical interaction, and bring the activation of these parts into conscious awareness. This awareness can help clinicians curate congruent clinical responses that meet the immediate needs of the client

Participants will also be offered a process for designing an internal protected space in which activated parts of self, particularly those that may hinder a facilitative response for the client, can feel secure. The question, Whose need is being met here?, will guide experiential exercises throughout the training.

Learning Objectives

1.         Participants will apply expressive arts and reflective play therapy processes to increase conscious awareness of countertransference processes and internal activation during clinical interactions.

2.         Participants will identify how activated parts of the play therapist’s self may affect authenticity and therapeutic attunement in play therapy relationships.

3.         Participants will differentiate the parts of self that may become activated during play therapy sessions.

4.         Participants will demonstrate strategies for cultivating consciously curated congruence in play therapy responses when personal parts of self are activated during clinical interactions.

Cost: Registration donation is optionally suggested at $120. The speakers in the Harris Family Play Therapy Courses series have all donated their time, as has the CE sponsor.

A GoFundMe link will be sent to you in your confirmation email. By registering, you are provided a suggested donation amount of $120 as an act of generosity to the Harris family and not as a promise of return of provided services.

CE information: Four CEs will be provided and are sponsored by Marshall Lyles, APT Approved Provider 17-508. A Zoom link will be provided within 24 hours of the event.

Cancellation policy: As this is a charitable campaign, no refunds are available.