MFT660AH Trauma and Play Therapy (1 cr.)

Prerequisite(s): MFT605 , MFT620  

Pre/Co-requisite MFT615  
This course examines trauma and its impact on children.   It addresses how trauma affects brain development, normative life transitions, attachment, and emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and relational functioning.  This course reviews basic human development with an emphasis on basic developmental neuroscience.  The course focuses on integration of appropriate play therapy techniques that can assist youth and families who have experienced trauma.

Upon completion of this course, students are expected to be able to do the following:

1. Describe the effects of trauma on brain development in children.
2. Describe the effects of trauma on normative developmental life transitions.
3. Describe the effects of trauma on emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and relational functioning of children.
4. Engage in play therapy techniques that will assist in addressing emotional, behavioral, cognitive, and relational manifestations of trauma in youth and their families.