A Playful Shift from Symptoms to Systems
Embracing a Family Systems Approach in Play Therapy
- Speaker:
- Kathryn DeBruin, LMFT
- Duration:
- 1 Hour 24 Minutes
- Format:
- Audio and Video
- Copyright:
-
Jun 03, 2026
- Product Code:
- POS150717
- Media Type:
- Digital Seminar
Description
A playful yet powerful shift is proposed: moving from exclusively focusing on a child's symptoms to embracing a comprehensive family systems approach within the context of play therapy.
This presentation highlights the clinical advantages of broadening treatment to include the entire family system, arguing that this approach significantly enhances a play therapist's effectiveness and fosters more durable, long-lasting positive change for the child.
We emphasize that family therapy with young children should naturally integrate playful modalities to boost engagement, access internal experiences, and encourage expression.
You’ll learn practical play therapy strategies for inviting families to participate in this treatment and assessment shift, as well as concrete methods to support and strengthen family relationships and communication dynamics.
Credit
Speaker
Kathryn DeBruin, LMFT Related seminars and products
Kathryn de Bruin is a world-renowned Marriage and Family Therapist, certified EFT Trainer, and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. Kathryn has lived on 3 continents and now makes her home in the USA. She has authored two books for therapists and young families, as a global educator she has trained couple and family therapists from Eastern Europe, in Europe, in the Middle East, Africa and the United States. She has provided retreats for couples in Malaysia, South Africa and in the USA.
She has a private practice serving California and Utah, specializing in healing relational bonds for children, individuals, couples, and families. She's a co-host of the Family Therapy Express, which is enjoyed by parents and therapists. Kathryn was named one of the top 10 family counselors in San Diego in 2024. She graduated Summa Cum Laude and was selected for Who's Who in America in 2004. Kathryn co-founded a non-profit called Conexa International that develops localized healing resources for mental and relational health in communities around the world. For more information visit her online at www.kathryndebruin.com.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Kathryn DeBruin maintains a private practice and has employment relationships with Bethel University and the UCSD Extension Program. She receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Kathryn DeBruin is a member of the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapy, the Association of Play Therapy, and the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy.
Additional Info
Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)Access never expires for this product.
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Additional CE Info
For a more detailed outline that includes times or durations of time, if needed, please contact cepesi@pesi.com.
Objectives
- Identify a play therapy strategy that can be used to invite parents or caregivers to participate collaboratively in a family systems approach.
- Determine the importance of including the full family in treatment when a child is symptomizing and incorporate play therapy to help family members explore and address underlying dynamics that may be contributing to the symptoms.
- Formulate one scenario that explains why a family systems modality using play therapy is a more culturally sensitive approach than focusing on a child only approach.
Outline
Rationale for a Shift from Symptoms to Systems
- Reasons to move beyond a child-focused model
- What research says about the family systems that have a child with a mental health challenge
- How systemic play therapy can improve long-term outcomes by strengthening relationships
Getting Buy In from Caregivers for a Family Systems Approach
- Intake message: “We use play therapy to look at the whole family, not just the child”
- Normalize stress and frame therapy as teamwork
- Emphasize behaviors as signals, not labels
Interventions, Tools and Techniques in Family Play Therapy
- Build Alliance: Use playful joining activities and shared goals
- Engage All Members: Cooperative games, role reversals, and digital play tools
- Track Negative Patterns: Map cycles with toys or digital avatars; reflect together
Risks & Limitations
Target Audience
- Play Therapists
- Child Therapists
- Licensed Clinical/Mental Health Counselors
- Marriage & Family Therapists
- Psychologists
- Social Workers
- Physicians
- Nurses
Reviews
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