255: Expressive + Play Therapies, Nature + Mindfulness For Traumatised Children + Families with Dr. Janet Courtney

<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Welcome back to Therapy Chat! In this week's episode Laura interviews Dr Janet Courtney, a play therapist and author of several books including, "</span><span class="s2">Healing Child and Family Trauma through Expressive and Play Therapies: Art, Nature, Storytelling, Body and Mindfulness." In this week's episode, part 1 of a two part conversation, Janet describes how she uses expressive and play therapy as well as nature, somatic work and mindfulness to help children and families who have experienced trauma. Listen in to this fascinating conversation that will be of interest to parents and therapists alike. </span></p> <p class="p1"><span class="s2">Janet A. Courtney, PhD, RPT-S is Founder of FirstPlay® Therapy (an infant play therapy model) and founder of the FirstPlayCafe blog. Dr. Courtney is author of, “Healing Child and Family Trauma through Expressive and Play Therapies: Art, Nature, Storytelling, Body and Mindfulness,” and author and Editor of the groundbreaking books, “Infant Play Therapy: Foundations, Models, Programs and Practice, “ and “Touch in Child Counseling and Play Therapy: An Ethical and Clinical Guide.” She is a TEDx Speaker, a Registered Play Therapy Supervisor, and past chair of the Ethics and Practice committee for the Association of Play Therapy and past President of the Florida Association for Play Therapy. Beginning in 1997 she was an Adjunct Professor in the School of Social Work at Barry University, Miami Shores, Florida. Her research into practitioner experiences of training in touch and Developmental Play Therapy is published in the American Journal of Art Therapy and the International Journal of Play Therapy. She offers a certification to practitioners in FirstPlay Therapy® and provides training to professionals in the Ethical and Clinical Competencies of Touch, Expressive Play Therapies, and nature-based Play Therapy. Dr. Courtney has created a unique form of therapeutic storytelling called, FirstPlay Kinesthetic Storytelling® that can be found in her