Events Calendar

A certificate of completion will be provided to attendees seeking Continuing Education credits (3) for attending this course.

Learning Objectives:

1- Learn a beginning rationale and understanding of the use of play therapy with children.

2- Discuss the process of play therapy techniques as well as explaining to clients (and sometimes more importantly, to their parents or caretakers) the impact of play in work with children.

3- Explore, play, and practice the use of dozens of everyday items, as well as some specialty toys, games, puppets, and play therapy techniques to take back to your practice or incorporate into your work with children and families.

Format/agenda:

9-10-Introduction and orientation about why to incorporate play into therapy techniques with children

10-10:30-Discussion of play therapy techniques and information for clients

10:30-10:45-Break

10:45-12-Exposure, play, and practice with ideas to incorporate into work with children

Presenter: Kara Houser is a full-time lecturer in the School of Social Work. She graduated with an MSW from St. Ambrose University and a BA in Social Work form the University of Iowa. Prior to joining the faculty full time in 2017, Professor Houser taught as an Adjunct Instructor for five years. Professor Houser has a rich practice background, beginning with BSW-level practice, working with children and families in local child-centered agencies, advancing as a Clinical Social Worker and doing direct work with children, families, and adults. She is now in private practice, currently specializing in individual work with both children and adults, and Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT). Houser is a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) and has provided clinical supervision to those working to obtain this advanced clinical license in Iowa. In addition to primary practice interests of child welfare and family work, she  has worked with the Iowa City Community School District to provide community-based services, with the Iowa Department of Human Services to provide services for family reunification and foster/adoption, and contracted to provide psychotherapy services for children and adults discharged from inpatient psychiatric care. Kara is currently teaching MSW practice courses including Family Centered Theory and Practice I and II; Social Work Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups; and Social Work Practice Skills Lab, and she coordinates Practicum.