In this presentation Brian wonders out loud about the loss of connection to ancestors in contemporary western culture and considers specific strategies and questions to support clients mobilizing their presence in this time of crisis. Topic: Engaging our Ancestors: Fostering inter generational social location as a means to build stamina and reweave the tattered fabric of family life in this time of crisis Description: Dominate western culture has a predominantly hostile view of ancestors. As the culture has evolved over the past 100+ years individuality has become more prized and interdependence vilified. The belief that we came from somewhere and that there are people left behind has slid from view. Most psychology systems tend to blame and vilifies parents for current suffering and seek to cleanse maladaptive traits. Grandparents, great grandparents, immigration stories, country of origin and the dead left behind are rarely considered or valued when trying the help people understand their current malaise. About the presenter: Brian Lukas, Ph.D., animated by his ancestors, has worked in the San Francisco Bay Area 45+ years as a conjurer of wonder, practitioner of etymology, organizer, mentor and contrarian on behalf of children of all ages. Brian is a psychologist in private practice and for 25 years has led the Child Therapy Institute.

This presentation demonstrates how just talking can promote connection and trust and create opportunities for meaningful moments and powerful interventions with these hard to engage age groups. Brian Lukas, Ph.D. proposes that everything in a young persons life is worth of inquiry, amplification and wonder. By creating social location the most innocuous conversation can sashay into important clinical material. Special attention is made to the use of pivots and homonyms. About the presenter: Brian Lukas, Ph.D., animated by his ancestors, has worked in the San Francisco Bay Area 45+ years as a conjurer of wonder, practitioner of etymology, organizer, mentor and contrarian on behalf of children of all ages. Brian is a psychologist in private practice and for 25 years has led the Child Therapy Institute.

This is the recording of our live Training & Discussion on Telehealth, on April 24, 2020. Topic: Meeting the client where they are: Wonderings about clinical engagement with children, adolescents and families in the virtual world. Description: First, in the 1.5h presentation, Brian Lukas, Ph.D. wonders out loud about the shifts in the therapeutic frame which are occurring, new to most practitioners as they have been forced to providing therapy on the internet. The presentation comes with the warning that all of the sacred cows of therapeutic practice will be questioned, assumptions about what is useful scrutinized and that habits of thought disrupted. The question before us is how can we be of use to our clients during this time of crisis. The issues of approach, containment, transparency, boundaries, and measuring outcomes are some of the topics we we consider. At 11:45 am continues with a discussion among the participants about shifts in the therapeutic frame which they have been seeing providing therapy on the internet. About the presenter: Brian Lukas, Ph.D., animated by his ancestors, has worked in the San Francisco Bay Area 45+ years as a conjurer of wonder, practitioner of etymology, organizer, mentor and contrarian on behalf of children of all ages. Brian is a psychologist in private practice and for 25 years has led the Child Therapy Institute. Schedule: 10:00 am - 11:30 am - Training 11:30 am - 11:45 pm - Break 11:45 am - 1:00 pm - Discussion

In this 90-minute training Karen Wolfe and Jerrica Danhoff give practical tips for this up-and coming technology for virtual play therapy! You can find the slides, parent letter, and other trainings here: https://www.sfbayplaytherapy.com/trainings-for-therapists.html Links to videos mentioned: Bing Bong and Sadness: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT6FdhKriB8 Uses: Teach parents the power of listening to their children's feelings Help kids explore sadness and empathy Guess How She’s Feeling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOkyKyVFnSs Guessing emotions (4-6): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeNY-RxDJig Sadness over loss Inside Out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdhjztWMnVw Dancing it out to different emotions (4+): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmMUCMesVtE Anger (5+): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbpTohPUhMw

EDIT: Please note that this training was provided within the context of its time. There is a possibility that information will be adjusted within the field, which would result in some of this information becoming outdated. Be sure to remain up to date with information as it emerges, consulting with your licensing boards, ethics documents, and general teletherapy practice standards. Creative Psychological Health Services - https://www.creativepsychological.com Rachel Altvater, Psy.D., RPT-S - https://www.facebook.com/dr.rachelaltvater/ A training on the basics of tele-play therapy during the coronavirus pandemic. 2019 Association for Play Therapy Best Practices Document (PDF link) - https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.a4pt.org/resource/resmgr/publications/best_practices_-_sept_2019.pdf Zur Institute Professional Association Codes of Ethics and Guidelines On TeleMental Health, E-Therapy, Digital Ethics, & Social Media - http://www.zurinstitute.com/ethicsoftelehealth.html Rachel Altvater, Psy.D., RPT-S is a Licensed Psychologist in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, Registered Play Therapist–Supervisor, and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. She is the owner of Creative Psychological Health Services, a psychologist at Gil Institute for Trauma Recovery and Education, an affiliate faculty member at Loyola University Maryland, and the President of the Maryland/DC Association for Play Therapy. Dr. Altvater published two articles in the International Journal of Play Therapy on her research of technology use in play therapy and is a contributing author in Integrating Technology in Modern Therapies: A Clinician’s Guide to Developments and Interventions. She is the recipient of the 2019 Emerging Leader Service Award from the Association for Play Therapy, the 2018 Outstanding Play Therapy Research Award from the MD/DC Association for Play Therapy, and the 2018 Distinguished Alumna of the Year from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Washington, D.C. Campus.