We are thrilled to welcome renowned lecturer, writer and clinician, Dr. April Duncan to Eastern Illinois University’s 5th Annual Play Therapy Conference! Dr. Duncan is an expert in the areas of racial trauma and brings cultural inclusivity into play therapy for Black youth and their families.
The behaviors and moods of Black children in the playroom are often connected to their experiences with race-based stress. This workshop encourages a racial trauma lens to the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of Black children in the playroom.
Conference Description:
Black children and families often encounter ongoing race-based stress that is too frequently overlooked in clinical assessment and diagnosis. This session will examine important cultural and societal factors that may impact the emotional and mental health and development in Black children across the lifespan. Using case studies, experiential activities and group discussion, attendees will explore the therapeutic powers of play to empower Black children dealing with the negative effects of race-based stress and trauma. Attendees will review important cultural considerations when implementing culturally responsive play-based interventions in individual and family play therapy with Black children and families, along with key items for the playroom to promote cultural inclusivity. Additionally, participants will discuss seminal play therapy theories and interventions to promote social justice in and out of the playroom.
Objectives:
PLEASE NOTE: The 5th Annual Play Therapy Conference is approved to provide 6 APT Contact CEs (APT Approved Provider #22-655). BMH Connect is seeking approval to offer "Black Kids Matter: Play Therapy to Empower Black Youth Across the Lifespan" for additional continuing education credit. Please check back for updates.
About the Presenter:
April Duncan (DSW, LCSW, RPT-S™) obtained her Bachelor’s in Arts & Science from the University of Missouri-Columbia (2006), Masters of Social Work from Saint Louis University (2012) and Doctorate of Social Work from the University of Southern California (2021). Dr. April is a racial trauma expert and the founder of BMH Connect, an organization with a focus on cultural inclusivity in play therapy, especially Black youth and families. Her expertise has been translated into print, as an author of several publications, including “Black Students Matter: Play Therapy Techniques to Address Racial Trauma in Black Students”. She also is an adjunct instructor in the online MSW program at Tulane University and a former advisory board member for the World Association of Sand Therapy Professionals.
Target Audience:
Graduate level mental health students & licensed mental health practitioners. This workshop is appropriate for licensed and pre-licensed mental health professionals, including psychologists, social workers, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors.
It is the responsibility of each professional to check with their state or national licensing board to obtain continuing education credit for this seminar. Most state and national licensing boards will approve continuing education courses which cover clinical topics, practice management skills, legal and ethical responsibilities and stress management. It is your responsibility as the license/certificate holder to be aware of and abide by the continuing education rules and guidelines set forth by your licensing board.
Eastern Illinois University
600 Lincoln Avenue
Charleston, IL 61920
(217) 581-2400
che@eiu.edu
