FirstPlay® Therapy
Certification Training
An Infant Mental Health and Developmental Infant Play Therapy Attachment-Based Storytelling Model
(Birth to 36 Months of age)
Presented by:
Janet A. Courtney, PhD, RPT-S
Founder, FirstPlay® Therapy
Locations
January, 2025 Online
May, 2025 Online
Inquire about hosting a FirstPlay Training in your area.
Certification in FirstPlay® Infant Play Therapy
Upcoming Training Dates: FirstPlay® Live Online
Jan. 18, 19, 21-25, 2025
May 17, 18, 20-24, 2025
Questions? Contact Dr. Courtney: Janetcourtneyphd@gmail.com
Contact Hours: 42
See below for All CE information for the State of Florida, & for the Association for Play Therapy:
- Social Workers
- Licensed Professional Counselors
- Licensed Mental Health Counselors
- Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists
- Play Therapists
- Massage Therapists
Check out the New Self-Paced Online FirstPlay Kinesthetic Storytelling®
(Ages three (3) years and beyond)
This is a recorded 35 hour online play therapy course that is self-paced and to be taken at any time. Learn how to create custom-made therapeutic stories for child clients. In the FirstPlay Kinesthetic Storytelling® training (“BACK Stories™” as kids know them….stories that can be told on a child’s back), practitioners demonstrate on a stuffed animal/pillow while parents are guided to practice the stories with their child. (Watch Janet’s TEDx Talk to learn more about Kinesthetic Storytelling® ). Two supervision sessions required. APT Approved Provider 10-287.
About FirstPlay® Infant Storytelling-Massage
FirstPlay® is an Infant Mental Health and Developmental Play Therapy attachment storytelling model. It is a resiliency focused model that enhances the parent-infant attachment relationship. It combines the theoretical underpinnings of Developmental Play Therapy including Attachment Theory together with Ericksonian-based therapeutic storytelling. It is further supported by Filial and Family Play Therapy, the Infant Massage literature, and the research and ethics in touch.
FirstPlay® is so named because it focuses on the therapeutic aspects of pre-symbolic play, or play that happens first in a child’s life. “First-play” is, for example, the early joyful reciprocal exciting play that happens between a parent and infant such as “patty cake,” “peek-a-boo,” or sing-song type games. FirstPlay® Therapy is an attachment-based Ericksonian storytelling approach that incorporates fun interactive touch-based activities that gives children the foundation needed to build healthy interpersonal relationships. Brain research supports that pre-symbolic play wires the brain for life-long intimacy, and for advanced cognitive ability and emotional regulation of distress.
FirstPlay® Therapy enhances the parent-child attachment relationship and is created for two different developmental stages:
- FirstPlay® Infant Storytelling-Massage (ages birth to 36 Months of age)
- FirstPlay Kinesthetic Storytelling® (ages three to ten years…and beyond). [Note, this is a separate training and certification and is now taught online. Learn More
FirstPlay® Practitioners guide parents through a FirstPlay Parent Manual© to provide caring, respectful and attuned nurturing touch to their infants as given through a guided attuned therapeutic story called, The Baby Tree Hug©. Practitioners do not touch the infant. Practitioners instruct, direct, model and supervise parents (on a baby-doll) in the techniques of FirstPlay® Infant Play Therapy Storytelling. While the FirstPlay® Practitioner is demonstrating the techniques, the parent(s) simultaneously follows along and practices the FirstPlay® movements and storytelling with their own baby. The FirstPlay® Practitioner then guides parents on how to incorporate FirstPlay® sessions into their daily schedules.
Training in Touch
In this workshop practitioners learn how to facilitate respectful and caring touch in parent-child relationships by demonstrating the touch-based activities via a baby-doll for the FirstPlay® Infant Massage Storytelling and via a large stuffed animal, for example, in Kinesthetic Storytelling for older children. Practitioners also support respectful touch by teaching parents how to ask permission of the child (or even the infant) to touch. The practitioner therefore promotes the healing value of touch, but does not touch the child ~ thus removing the practitioner from any concerns of professional liability regarding the touching of children. Note that this training consists of experiential training exercises that involve the use of touch. For example, participants will practice Kinesthetic Storytelling® by drawing and telling a story on another participant’s back. In this way you will learn how to demonstrate and facilitate the techniques by role playing with other participants. By experiencing the touch activities you will also gain a sense of what a child client might feel and experience from receiving caring touch with their parents or caregivers.
The FirstPlay® Therapy model can now be offed VIRTUALLY and is designed for flexibility to be integrated into a practice as best determined by the practitioner or agency. The FirstPlay® Parent Instructional Manual assists practitioners in offering either the Infant Massage Storytelling model or the Kinesthetic Storytelling® or in both models depending on the ages of the clients. Practitioners in private practice may choose to incorporate FirstPlay® Infant Massage education to parents of newborns and infants as a way to enhance bonding and attachment.
FirstPlay® is an adjunctive parent-child model that draws upon the inner resiliency of clients and can be integrated along with other forms of play therapy methods. It can also be applied in family sessions and group, parent reunification, family residential settings; with adoptive & foster parents; children diagnosed with autism and with sensory integration disorder, attachment issues, grief and loss, behavioral problems, and attentional problems (ADD/ADHD). Additionally, children that have been physically and/or sexually abused will require special considerations regarding touch which is covered in the training. FirstPlay® Infant Massage Storytelling is intended for physically healthy infants and requires having the parent seek consent from their child’s pediatrician prior to the beginning of the FirstPlay® sessions. This alleviates any contraindications that may interfere with the massage of an infant. (This is all explained in detail in the training). FirstPlay® Therapy Practitioners learn the techniques of FirstPlay® Infant Massage Storytelling & in Kinesthetic Storytelling® so that they can then instruct, model, guide & supervise their client families in the techniques.
FirstPlay® Therapy offers a structured way that parents can give caring and respectful touch to their children through playful story interactions. It is therefore a model that is valuable to all children. However, it can be particularly helpful as a preventative model of intervention for families assessed as high risk, or for families that may already be identified as in need of family strengthening interventions. Viola Brody believed that the touch component involved in first-play was intrinsically healing ~ and that children who may have missed early first-play stages of development (through abuse/neglect, for example) can “go back and pick up what they missed.”
FirstPlay® Therapy Benefits Parents and Children by:
- Promoting caring and respectful touch
Enhancing attachment and bonding in relationships- Building upon children’s inner strengths and resilience
- Teaching methods of focusing, calming and relaxation
- In some cases, provides corrective experiences of touch
- Boosting brain potential
- Inspiring fun and interactive storyteller-child activities
- Children learn how to give caring touch to others
- Promoting empathy in relationships
“When I teach the FirstPlay® caring touch storytelling interventions to parents, my heart leaps in awe when I instantly see the positive responses of the infants and children come alive. And, then my heart melts even deeper when I observe the parent’s amazement to their babies and child’s awakening.”
ABOUT CERTIFICATION
Certification Benefits to you
Benefits During the Training:
1. FirstPlay® Practitioner Manual
2. Live lab experience with volunteer parents and infants so you can immediately put your new skills into practice
3. Live lab observation supervision with that can be credited toward your RPT application, if needed.
4. Brief introduction to FirstPlay® Kinesthetic Storytelling for older children (Two years and older).
5. Guidance for how to market your FirstPlay® Practice and take your play therapy work to infants
6. FOUR (4) FREE FirstPlay Parent Manuals
- ONE FREE FirstPlay Practitioner Parent Manual
8. Access to FirstPlay Rack cards to immediately begin to market your practice
Once you complete the Reflective Supervision requirements, you will:
(See requirements next page)
- You will be able to advertise your credential as a Certified FirstPlay® Infant Practitioner
- Be added to the FirstPlay® Practitioner Website
- Access to the FirstPlay® Logos.
- Access to personalize your own marketing materials
Certification Requirements
*Certification Requirements for FirstPlay Therapy Infant Storytelling-Massage
Designation for Certification in FirstPlay® Therapy is awarded through Developmental Play & Attachment Therapies, Inc., (DPAT) Boynton Beach, FL. This certification is established to signify to professionals, referral sources, agencies, and clients that a Mental Health professional has met a high level of competency standards in the foundations and methods of FirstPlay® Therapy Infant Storytelling-Massage (for ages birth-two years) as provided in FirstPlay Practitioner Manual©, the FirstPlay Parent Manual©, and as taught by the FirstPlay® Therapy Instructor. This is a competency based certification and therefore has no bearing upon the professional Mental Health licensing laws within your state, country, or province.
This Credential is given to Professionals who have:
- Completed the FirstPlay® Therapy Infant Storytelling-Massage 5-Day Intensive 42 hour Training.
- Demonstrated proficiency during the training in the practice of FirstPlay® Infant Storytelling Session during a live Lab implementation with a parent-infant dyad.
- Sign a credentialing statement agreeing to follow the ethical standards as outlined in the FirstPlay® Therapy training.
- Complete a 90 true/false & multiple choice question and answer assessment given at the end of the training that demonstrates knowledge and understanding of the techniques, theory, ethics and other concepts learned in the training.
Certification Requirements After training—(This needs to be completed within nine months after the training and are included within your initial fee unless otherwise indicated): NOTE: At the end of the training you will be provided with a Certificate of “Completion” and you must complete the following requirements before you receive your final “Certification” certificate.
- Complete FOUR post-training parent-infant demonstrations. These can be with your clients and/or with family or friend volunteers—it’s up to you. You will record at least one of these sessions for review in group and in an individual supervision. A FirstPlay® Post-training Session Form will be provided to you to fill out and turn in prior to the consultation/supervision time.
- Participate in FOUR group supervisions and ONE individual case consultation/supervision session with Dr. Courtney.
- Attend one individual supervision with your assigned supervisor to review a recorded video session.
- This is a total of SIX supervision sessions (4 group and 2 individual sessions). You have the option to attend more group supervision sessions if you desire–at no charge.
- Complete Three (3) post-training Reflections to be reviewed by your assigned FirstPlay Supervisor.
- Review one parent-infant video in relationship to attunement facilitation and answer questions regarding the process that you will review with your assigned FirstPlay® Supervisor (this is included in your fee paid to your supervisor).
- Sign and return the FirstPlay® Therapy Practitioner Agreement.
- NOTE: There is a separate training program and Certification for FirstPlay Kinesthetic Storytelling® with a designation as a Certified FirstPlay® Kinesthetic Child Practitioner (for ages 3-10 years).
- **Note, there is an extra fee of $250.00 fee to be paid directly to your FirstPlay® Supervisor. You will have ONE individual supervision with your supervisor and they will provide feedback to you on 3 Reflection forms.
Training Benefits & Materials
Materials Given to You & Benefits During the Training:
1. One FirstPlay® Practitioner Manual
2. One FirstPlay Practitioner Parent manual
3. FOUR (4) FREE FirstPlay Parent Manuals
4. LIVE Lab experience with volunteer parents and infants so you can immediately put your new skills into practice
5. Live supervision with that can be credited toward your RPT application, if needed.
6. Guidance for how to market your FirstPlay Practice and take your play therapy work to infants
8. Twenty-five Rack cards to immediately begin to market your practice
HIGHLIGHTS OF TRAINING (Adapted schedule online)
DAY 1
About pre-symbolic play, the first relationship, Theoretical foundations of FirstPlay® Therapy: Developmental Play Therapy, Ericksonian-based storytelling, Filial/Family Play Therapy; Attachment Theory, Intergenerational systems theory, Infant Massage; Touch & Infant Mental Health Research. [Note, for some trainings Day-One, may be held as an online training]
DAY 2
Infant Mental Health foundations. Touch Research/ethical/cultural considerations; Experiential Exercises; Body/Mind Connection/Mindfulness/Calm & Relax; Introduction to Infant Massage. Internal working models and the development of an “inner ‘home’ core self.”
DAY 3
Touch Research/ethical/cultural considerations; Experiential Exercises; Body/Mind Connection/Mindfulness/Calm & Relax; Introduction to Infant Massage. Internal working models and the development of an “inner ‘home’ core self.”
DAY 4
Morning Role-Play Practice; In the afternoon, parent-infant volunteers join the training so that participants gain real-time implementation of the FirstPlay Parent Handbook© and the Baby Tree Hug©; a fun and exciting time of the training. Processing experiences.
DAY 5
More FirstPlay® activities & facilitating attunement and attachment, Q & A; Final, “Open” Quiz review/competency assessment; Marketing materials & your FirstPlay® practice.
“Dr. Courtney’s storytelling approach promotes the value of therapeutic touch for helping children and in enhancing adult child relationships. “
Check out our Parent Website for more about
FirstPlay Infant Massage Storytelling
FirstPlay® Objectives: What You Will Learn
- State five foundational underpinnings of FirstPlay® Therapy: Developmental Play Therapy; Family Play Therapy (Filial); Ericksonian Play Therapy; Attachment Theory; IMH, Ethics & research of Touch in Play Therapy.
- Describe how Developmental Play Therapy (DPT) supports the FirstPlay® Therapy model.
- Describe three constructs of Attachment Theory and their theoretical relevance to the FirstPlay® model to a colleague.
- List five research and ethical considerations of touch in play therapy with infants.
- State the benefits, limitations, and contraindications of FirstPlay® Infant Play Therapy Storytelling.
- Describe and demonstrate 12 techniques of FirstPlay® Infant Play Therapy Storytelling & FirstPlay activities via Doll.
- Describe how Filial Play Therapy & the parent as “change agent” is adapted to FirstPlay.
- List six therapeutic benefits of FirstPlay®.
- Describe and demonstrate the techniques of FirstPlay® Developmental Infant Kinesthetic Storytelling®
- Demonstrate three ways to guide the parent to “calm, relax and connect” with the infant.
- State the 12 steps of the process of implementation.
- Demonstrate how to instruct a parent in FirstPlay® Infant Play Therapy Storytelling.
- Compare three developmental differences between the FirstPlay Infant Model and FirstPlay® Kinesthetic Storytelling®.
Training Methods
The workshop includes the FirstPlay® Therapy Training Manual© consisting of ten chapter/modules that will be followed throughout the training. Training methods include lectures; touched-based experiential exercises; live demonstrations; role playing with other participants; journaling; and work in clay. Participants will also receive the FirstPlay® Parent-Child Manual© that will be used when training parents in the FirstPlay® Therapy methods. This parent manual is intended for participants to give to the parents and additional copies can be purchased at a minimal cost.
This training is for play therapists, counselors, social workers, family therapists, psychologists, school counselors, child life specialists, occupational therapists, nurses, and other professionals who work with children. Note: The FirstPlay® training is limited to 15 participants per leader to permit extensive skill practice and individualized coaching and feedback.
- Wear comfortable clothing
- Nearby lodging options available upon request
- Bring your own baby-doll and/or large stuffed animal
FirstPlay® Training locations are held LIVE virtually or in-person across the United States or internationally. As well, practitioners can arrange to host FirstPlay trainings in their areas with a minimum of seven participants. If you are interested in sponsoring a training, please contact Dr. Courtney for more information: janetcourtneyphd@gmail.com
Continuing Education
This training is approved for CE’s from the following boards:
FLORIDA: Developmental Play & Attachment Therapies, Inc. (DPAT) is an Approved Provider for Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling in the State of Florida. BAP #1035 Exp. 3/2025 AND an Approved Provider through the Florida Board of Massage Therapy
Association for Play Therapy: Developmental Play & Attachment Therapies, Inc. is an Approved Provider through the Association for Play Therapy: APT Approved Provider 10-287
This training meets the APT requirements for online LIVE training for (42 hrs) CONTACT CE Hours. Developmental Play & Attachment Therapies, Inc. remains responsible for the content.
SEE MORE INFORMATION BELOW
Play Therapy "Primary Areas"
This training counts toward the following in the APT Play Therapy Primary Areas [This is also relevant to what “phase” you are in gathering your APT CE hours toward your RPT.]:
- Play Therapy Seminal or Historically Significant Theories: 15 hours (Developmental foundations—Viola Brody)
- Play Therapy Skills and Methods: 20 hours (Developmental —Viola Brody)
- Play Therapy Special Topics: 7 hours (Infant Mental Health)
Training AND Registration fee Includes:
- 42 Hours of FirstPlay Therapy CE Training
- FirstPlay® Therapy Training Manual© consisting of ten Chapters/Modules
- One FirstPlay® Practitioner Parent Manual©
- FOUR FirstPlay® Parent Manual©
- Certification as a Certified FirstPlay® Therapy Practitioner
- Break Refreshments/Snacks [in-person only]
- Name and contact information added to the FirstPlay® Therapy Practitioner website ~
- Access to all Logos once the certification is complete
Cancellation, Refunds, and Grievance Policy
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Written cancellations received three weeks prior to the training date will receive a full refund, minus a $250.00 processing fee; and there will be a $350.00 cancellation fee if less than 3 weeks’ notice. The remainder of your registration fee will be returned to you. As another option, your registration fee can be credited toward the next available training. Additionally, for a refund of your payment, contact Dr. Courtney OR Jesse Crowley at: Crowhen@gmail.com or call 305-510-5147.
Grievance Policy
Developmental Play & Attachment Therapies seeks to ensure equitable treatment of every person and to make every attempt to resolve grievances in a fair manner. Please submit a written grievance to: Jesse Crowley at Crowhen@gmail.com. Grievances would receive, to the best of our ability, corrective action in order to prevent further problems.
Accommodations for the Differently Abled
Training facilities for the FirstPlay Trainings are handicap accessible. Individuals needing special accommodations, please contact: Jesse Crowley at Crowhen@gmail.com
More Continuing Education Options
Partial CE credit cannot be given. Note: It is the participant’s responsibility to check with their individual state boards to verify CE requirements for their state.
FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ARRANGE FOR A FIRSTPLAY TRAINING IN YOUR AREA PLEASE CONTACT: JANETCOURTNEYPHD@GMAIL.COM
Early Bird Registration
- If you pay earlier than 3 weeks prior to training date, Download brochure, fill out form, and return by mail.
- FirstPlay Brochure
- To pay by check: See brochure for registration form and mailing address. Make checks payable to Developmental Play & Attachment Therapies.
- To pay by credit card click link below
Regular Registration
- If you pay three weeks or less prior to training date, Download brochure, fill out form, and return by mail.
- FirstPlay Brochure
- To pay by check: Mail check with your completed form. Make check payable to: Developmental Play & Attachment Therapies (or DPAT)
- To pay with credit card / PayPal: Click below
Locations:
Next Training Dates
Training will be held Online Live with some training held as a hybrid option.
Training Hours: 42
See Above for All CE information for
- Social Workers
- Licensed Professional Counselors
- Licensed Mental Health Counselors
- Licensed Marriage & Family Therapists
- Play Therapists
- Nurses
