Virtual Play Therapy Tips

Description

Therapists working with children in the aftermath of trauma or chronic stress are often handed complex behavioral concerns with an urgent plea: “Fix this.” But the solution doesn’t start with talking—it begins with play. In this course, you’ll rediscover how to use the therapeutic relationship itself, paired with targeted play therapy strategies, as a powerful intervention for emotional healing and resilience-building.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to engage a child virtually or discouraged by the disconnect between adult expectations and children’s needs, this course offers practical, creative tools you can implement immediately. Learn how to transform telehealth limitations into opportunities for connection and healing through developmentally appropriate, clinically grounded interventions.

Sarah Scott Dooling, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S, is a nationally recognized expert in play therapy, an experienced school-based clinician, and a passionate educator. Sarah teaches in the MSW program at San Diego State University and the Play Therapy Extension Program at UC San Diego. Her experience in both private practice and public school systems informs her deeply compassionate, innovative, and theory-driven approach to treating children impacted by toxic stress.

Sarah’s teaching is grounded in the belief that the therapist is the most powerful tool in the room. She offers a warm, engaging presentation that is both evidence-informed and immediately applicable. Clinicians will leave with a rich set of interventions and the confidence to use them meaningfully—whether working virtually, in hybrid settings, or face-to-face.

This course explores the challenges of virtual rapport-building, the use of developmentally appropriate therapeutic games, and how to creatively adapt play therapy strategies to telehealth. Participants will be introduced to tools like “Fishing for Feelings,” scavenger hunts, cornhole activities, and “What’s in Your Heart” check-ins—all tailored for online delivery. Emotional literacy, treatment planning, and therapist self-care are woven throughout to ensure sustainable, ethical practice.

Key Takeaways:

• Develop a working lens for toxic stress: Understand how to interpret presenting problems through a trauma-informed lens and connect them to meaningful goals.

• Apply creative, theory-based play interventions: Learn specific, playful strategies that build trust and emotional literacy in children—without overwhelming your session time or budget.

• Prioritize professional sustainability: Identify core self-care practices that support clinicians in high-stress work with vulnerable children.

Why This Course?

• Designed by a seasoned play therapist for real-world clinicians: Sarah Dooling’s years of school-based experience and clinical supervision work mean she knows exactly what tools clinicians need—and which ones actually work.

• Practical, affordable, and creative interventions: The course emphasizes low-cost, transportable strategies that are adaptable to nearly any treatment setting.

• Aligned with Telehealth Certification Institute’s mission: As a trusted CE provider, TCI is committed to empowering clinicians through high-quality, relevant education that upholds the highest standards of care.

Learning Objectives:

• Create a conceptualizing framework for toxic stress that connects complex presenting problems with treatment goals.

• Apply innovative play therapy interventions that build resilience in children.

• Identify self-care principles and professional development resources for play therapists who work with children experiencing toxic stress.

You don’t have to choose between playfulness and professionalism—or between clinical rigor and creativity. This course offers both. Join Sarah Dooling in discovering how virtual play therapy can not only work but thrive, helping you bring healing to children when they need it most.

Enroll now to develop your skills, boost your confidence, and enhance your impact as a behavioral health professional.

Format and Access

This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Instruction consists of 1 hour of video instruction and a post-test.

Course Details

Availability: 

From the time of registration, you have six months to access the coursework.

Who Should Attend: 

This course is intended for clinicians who provide behavioral health services.

Teaching Methods: 

This is a non-interactive, self-study course. Teaching methods for this course include recorded lectures, videos, a post-test, and a course evaluation.

How to Attend: 

Course access and completion instructions.

Instructor and Disclosures

Instructor

About Sarah Scott Dooling, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S

Sarah Scott Dooling is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Registered Play Therapist - Supervisor specializing in play therapy. Sarah teaches graduate-level classes at two San Diego universities, and facilitates creative, interactive professional development workshops for clinicians and educators. She is employed at Escondido Union School District and also works in private practice.

Sarah Scott Dooling's instructor information. 

Disclosure Statement: 

The instructor(s) for this course receive compensation for their services. There are no reported conflicts of interest to disclose.

CE Hours

Credit Hours:

This course consists of 1 continuing education hour of credit.

Play therapy credit available to mental health professionals & graduate students in a mental health program.

Counselors:

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No, 6693.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified.  Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. 

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Mental Health Counselors. #MHC-0048.

Marriage and Family Therapists: 

Many MFT licensing boards accept our courses or one of the approvals which we have from professional associations.  You can check with your board to determine if your licensing board would accept this course.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed marriage and family therapists #MFT-0135, effective May 8, 2025.

Social Workers:

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, #1609, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 05/02/2024 – 05/02/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1 clinical continuing education credit.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Social Workers #SW-0435.

Play Therapists:

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC has been approved as a continuing education provider by the Association for Play Therapy: APT Approved Provider 21-633. Per the Association for Play Therapy (APT), play therapy training may not be awarded to non-mental health professionals. APT alone holds the right to accept or deny any continuing education training at its discretion. This course qualifies as 1 non-contact continuing education Play Therapy credit.

Addiction Professionals:

This course has been approved by Telehealth Certification Institute LLC, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #193104, Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is responsible for all aspects of the programming.

Psychologists:

Telehealth Certification Institute LLC is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Telehealth Certification Institute LLC maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Psychologists #PSY-0128.

Art Therapists: 

Telehealth Certification Institute, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for Licensed Creative Arts Therapists #CAT-0093.

Other Professionals:

This course qualifies for 60 minutes of instructional content as required by many national, state and local licensing boards and professional organizations.  Retain your certificate of completion and contact your board or organization for specific filing requirements.

This is a non-interactive, self-study course.

Accommodations and Policies

Close Captioning is available for live webinars and recorded video presentations.

You can click on the following links to view our policies:

• Accommodations for Individuals with Disabilities.
• Cancellation Policy
• Grievance Policy
• Support Options
• Disclosure Statement