CREATING A VIRTUAL PLAYROOM - ONLINE SKILLS TRAINING

Working online introduces a myriad of digital options for creating meaningful and transformative experiences in therapy. With millions of images, games and interventions available, therapists also face the challenge of creating containment, boundaries and continuity online, and to do all of this without the use of a shared physical space. 

Recently, many teachers have become skilled in presenting their lessons and linking their online resources to students who are not in a traditional classroom. The Virtual Playroom can be adapted and used in the same way, to form a bridge between the real and virtual world, helping young therapy clients to visualise a ‘holding environment’ and to engage with their thoughts, feelings and needs.

This workshop is a beginner’s guide to exploring the tools and techniques you need to create your Virtual Playroom.

Lesley will cover:

• Re-creating the therapeutic environment online
• Representing ourselves through an image
• Personalise the space - your theme or mine?
• Choosing links and interventions
• Sharing, security and safe boundaries
• Google or Powerpoint – pros and cons
• Integrate your Virtual Playroom into your practice

In the second half of the workshop, Lesley will provide a step-by-step tutorial; a how-to guide with all the skills you need to create your own Virtual Playroom or the confidence to personalise one of the many ready-made templates you can purchase online. 

You’ll learn how to:

• Create your background
• Choose and adapt your images
• Add 2D and 3D images and animation
• Layer your images to create visual effects
• Create your own Bitmoji or expressive cartoon avatars
• Add links to interventions
• Use your Virtual Playroom as a virtual background

These are essential and transferrable skills which will give you the freedom to go even further and create your own, fun interventions. Lesley will show you how!

You’ll get a copy of the Virtual Playroom we create for you to take away and use straightaway.

Please note: this workshop provides skills and knowledge which are suitable for therapists who are new to online work, or who need to further develop their skills. You’ll gain most benefit by completing a basic introduction to telehealth course provided by either your professional regulatory organisation or a recognised training provider as the minimum proof of competence to practice online and several of these courses are available free of charge. This workshop will build on foundational learning and the reasonable steps you have already taken to ensure that you provide a safe and secure space for your online therapy.

About Lesley:

Lesley is an experienced Integrative Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist working in private practice. The change from a successful career in financial product communications was driven by the challenge of becoming an adoptive parent. Instead of returning to marketing management, Lesley explored a long-held passion for art and music which eventually led to her completing a Postgraduate Diploma and an MA in Integrative Child Psychotherapy at the Institute for Arts in Therapy and Education.

During her training, Lesley pursued her interest in advocacy for vulnerable, care-experienced young people. For several years she has worked for National Youth Advocacy Service as both a young people’s advocate and independent mental health advocate, working locally in Hertfordshire and in low and medium secure psychiatric units for South London and Maudesley NHS Trust and The Priory Hospitals in London. Lesley is also a qualified Therapeutic Life Story Worker, and she is commissioned by schools, local authorities and families across Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire to provide a range of therapeutic services. Lesley develops and runs a range of workshops and training programmes for both individuals and organisations. She's passionate about helping therapists and counsellors to build online confidence for creative arts therapy.

For more information and to book, head over to Ticket Tailor

Please Note: Due to the experiential nature of this training, places are limited. If the event sells out please contact info@thesunflowernetwork.co.uk to join the waiting list as places can come free closer to the date. Thank you