CONFERENCE PROGRAM AND SPEAKERS
Saturday, July 11, 2026
Foundations of CBT and CBPT, 3 CE
Judith Beck, Ph.D
Susan M. Knell, Ph.D.
Meena Dasari, Ph.D.
Lisa Remey, M.Ed.
This presentation will review important developments in CBT from the past decade. It will discuss the foundations and challenges of Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy (CBPT) which was developed as a developmentally sensitive psychotherapy, integrating CBT and Play therapy. Two different, but complimentary approaches to CBPT will be reviewed. Both approaches balance unstructured and structured play to effectively treat young children. Case examples of clinicians teaching relaxation, positive self-talk, emotion regulation skills, and exposure will be discussed.
Case Conceptualization in CBPT, 1 CE
Maria Geraci, Ph.D.
Meena Dasari, Ph.D.
Case conceptualization is integral to effective treatment outcomes. For CBPT, J.B. Persons (2008) work provides guidelines for integrating diagnostic assessment, monitoring progress, and collaborative treatment planning. This process evolves during treatment which is similar to assembling a puzzle.
Supervision of CBPT, 1 CE
Athena Drewes, Psy.D.
This experiential/didactic workshop, for beginning and advanced play therapy supervisors, will focus on best practices and methods of self-reflection by the supervisee and supervisor, relevant research, and differences of CBPT supervision from other theories. Participants can share cases as time permits.
Empirical Foundations of CBPT: Research and its implications for CBPT, 2.5 CE
Sandra Russ, Ph.D.
Karla Fehr, Ph.D.
Ornella Argento, Ph.D
This presentation will review current empirical findings in pretend play and its implications for play therapy. Empirical findings in CBPT and CBPI will be reviewed, and recommendations for future research will be discussed.
Sunday, July 12, 2026
Intersection of Sexual Abuse and CBPT, 1.5 CE
Sueann Kenney-Noziska, MSW
Using a trauma-informed cognitive behavioral play therapy (CBPT) lens, this workshop will explore the intersectionality of play therapy and childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Play therapy intervention to address the deleterious effects of CSA on children and adolescents will be presented
Gender Bias in CBPT, 1 CE
Kristen Ullrich, PsyD
Anna Kiesnowski, LISW
Participants will learn about best practices using Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy for supporting gender diverse young people. Discussion will include a review of current social impacts and raise awareness of clinician and supervisory biases to create strategies for meaningful change.
Clinical Applications of CBPT with specific populations, 1.5 CE
Meena Dasari, Ph.D.
Didem Altay, Ph.D.
This presentation will provide an overview of research and clinical applications of Cognitive Behavioral Play Therapy with two clinical populations: Children of divorce and children with anxiety diagnoses
Playful approaches to CBT, Creative Integration of play in CBT with older children, 3 CE
Eva Feindler, Ph.D.
Robert Friedberg, Ph.D
Sandra Pimentel, Ph.D
This presentation explores the creative use of play in cognitive behavioral interventions with older children. Several areas are discussed, including anger management, improvisational theatre exercises, and the incorporation of pop culture. All involve playful strategies to boost youth engagement.
International Development of CBPT
Maria Geraci, Ph.D.
CBPT: State of the art and future directions
