Charissa D Pizarro, PsyD Psychological Services LLC

Workshop Description:
This training explores the traumatic experiences faced by undocumented immigrant children and families and demonstrates how play therapy can serve as a powerful tool for healing, resilience, and empowerment. Participants will learn to integrate cultural humility, trauma-informed assessment, and play therapy interventions that address the complex needs of immigrant communities.

Practical play therapy techniques, such as puppetry, masks, sandtray, bibliotherapy, and family-based play activities, will be demonstrated as methods for disclosure, emotional regulation, and coping. The training emphasizes social justice advocacy and highlights the play therapist’s role in providing culturally responsive care to marginalized populations.

Learning Objectives:
By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to:

1. 1. Define the role of cultural humility and intersectionality in play therapy with undocumented immigrant children and families.
   2. Identify common traumatic experiences associated with migration and family separation and describe their impact on child development.
   3. Apply play therapy interventions (e.g., puppets, masks, sandtray, bibliotherapy) to help children disclose, process, and integrate traumatic experiences.
   4. Explain how the Therapeutic Powers of Play (e.g., self-expression, emotional regulation, resilience building) support healing in immigrant populations.
   5. Develop culturally responsive treatment plans that integrate advocacy and community resources and play therapy interventions for immigrant children and families.