WC25 Program_LR 8

TRACK WORKSHOPS

614. Play God’s Way: The Integration of Faith and Play Therapy 1.25 credit hours Continuing Education Accreditations applicable to this workshop: APA, ASWB, NBCC, IBCC, Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling Level: Intermediate Stacie Norman, Ph.D. Cord of Three Counseling Summary Play is widely recognized as the natural language of chil dren (Cochran et al., 2024), serving as a critical medium for emotional expression, cognitive development, and social learning. Empirical research demonstrates that play fosters problem-solving skills, emotional regulation, empathy, and cooperation (Chauhan et al., 2024). Additionally, Fazlollahi et al. (2022) highlight the role of meaning-centered play in enhancing spiritual sensitivity and faith development in chil dren. Given its therapeutic significance, play therapy is an evidence-based intervention for addressing a range of men tal health concerns in children and families. This workshop is designed for psychologists and mental health profession als seeking to integrate faith-based principles into clini cal play therapy. Participants will examine the theoretical and empirical foundations of faith-integrated play therapy, explore practical interventions for incorporating faith and Scripture into therapeutic play with willing Christian clients, and develop treatment plans that align with both clinical best practices and the spiritual needs of Christian families. Experiential exercises will provide hands-on application of key concepts. Learning Objectives 1. Develop a theoretical and empirical rationale for integrat ing faith-based play therapy in clinical practice with willing Christian clients. 2. Identify strategies for incorporating faith and Scripture into play therapy interventions. 3. Design a treatment plan utilizing therapeutic play to im plement concepts in clinical practice. 615. Censoring Christian Sexuality: Insights from the Trenches of the Controversy Over Sexual Orientation and Client Self-determination 1.25 credit hours Continuing Education Accreditations applicable to this workshop: IBCC Level: Advanced Andrew Rodriguez, M.S. Integrity Christian Counseling

Christopher Rosik, Ph.D. Link Care Center

Summary What do licensed mental health professionals do when a Christian client is seeking help with same-sex attraction and gender identity issues that also affirm their faith? Few top ics in psychological practice evoke more trepidation and confusion for faith-based clinicians coming from a Chris tian worldview than the potential for same-sex attractions, behaviors, and identities to change within a therapeutic con text. This workshop will equip licensed mental health profes sionals for Christian clients who wish for a faith-affirming framework for understanding sexuality and gender, address ing conflicts related to same-sex attraction and behavior. Participants will explore an authentically Christian paradigm that reveals how sexuality reflects concepts from a Christian worldview accepted by willing Christian clients. Participants will contrast this perspective with secular views on “sexual orientation” and “gender identity,” examining the roots of the sexual identity crisis within the Christian faith community and its connection to the Gospel. Additionally, participants will discuss the philosophical foundations of current treat ment approaches to sexuality conflicts within major men tal health associations that make it difficult for faith-based clients to receive the care they are seeking and highlight key indicators in the social sciences that do not encompass this group of clients’ perspectives and wishes, focusing on how this faith-affirming perspective is lacking in the research on sexual identity change. Participants will describe three as pects of the research that promote bias against this type of client and receive recommendations for best practices in ad dressing these issues in clinical work. Learning Objectives 1. Describe a Christian worldview framework for under standing sexuality and gender and contrast this faith-based paradigm with secular views on sexual orientation and gen der identity when working with Christian clients wishing for their faith to be affirmed in mental health therapy. 2. Analyze the current treatment approaches to sexuality conflicts, identifying missing information on and clinical best practices for this group of clients wishing for a faith affirming approach in clinical care from the major mental health associations. 3. Identify a faith-affirming clinical response to sexuality and gender identity that can be utilized with clients requesting this approach in their clinical care. 616. End of Life Concerns: The Importance of Palliative Care Psychology in a Collaborative Care Team Model 1.25 credit hours Continuing Education Accreditations applicable to this workshop: APA, ASWB, NBCC, IBCC, Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling Continuing Medical Education Accreditations applicable to this

2025 AACC UNITED WORLD CONFERENCE

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