Games that Promote Mindfulness

Practicing mindfulness can help reduce stress and increase emotion regulation. Typically when we think about "mindfulness" or "meditation," we envision sitting on a pillow with our eyes closed. BUT mindfulness activities can be more engaging and be done in a group.

Here are some games we recommend for you and your family to play together while working on increasing your mindfulness skills!

Jenga - Jenga is a great game to work on self-control, patience, frustration tolerance, and mindfulness! Creating a gaming atmosphere where each player takes their time and concentrates on their movements can take this fun game to a fun mental wellness activity!

Cotton Ball Relay/Race - You just need 3 things: spoons, cotton balls, and participants! Line up horizontally on one end of the room. The goal is to make it across to the other side first without dropping the cotton ball. If you dropped the cotton ball, you have to go back to start. This is a great and silly game that works on being mindful of our body and slowing down!

Back Doodles - This is a partner activity. One person is facing the other person’s back. The person facing their partner will gently and silently draw a picture or word on the other person’s back. They can do the same drawing/word a couple times and let their partner guess what they drew! Partners can change roles after every picture or only when they get it right. This activity is a calming activity that helps with focus and connection with your child.

Tips for Limiting Screen Time

Do you find that screen time is running your life? Is it hard to get your child off of screens? Is your child only motivated by screens?

It could be that they are having too much screen time. According to a journal article from Cureus, too much screen time can "impair emotional comprehension, promote aggressive behavior, and hinder social and emotional competence" (Effects of Excessive Screen Time on Child Development).

Less screen time can help with improving mental wellness! But what is the right way? There are so many options! This article from RealMomNutrition.com provides 21 family tested screen limiting ideas so you can find the one that works best for your family!

FEBRUARY 2024

Play Therapy for Teen and Adolescent Boys:

Utilizing Extra-Curricular Tools and Parent Involvement to Support the Therapeutic Process

Many providers find it challenging to work with teens/adolescents. This is often due to client-resistance and low levels of communication that impact the therapeutic relationship, as well as the providers’ discomfort in working with parents. Play therapy can open the door to levels of communication that a young client may not have access to, and can be an opportunity to engage parents in the child’s process.

This training will identify the benefits of play therapy for teens through a bio-psycho-social lens, and focus on two key areas to enhance the therapeutic work: utilizing extracurricular interests, and parent education and involvement. It will highlight dealing with resistance, and rapport-building, and will demonstrate practical play therapy-based activities for in-person and virtual therapy and highlight how to engage parents in play therapy.

Topic: Engaging Teens in Therapy

Presenter: Dave Edwards M.A., L.P.C., C.C.M.H.C.

Date/Time: Friday, February 9th from 9am-12:15pm

Cost: $65.00

Student: $30.00 (With VALID ID). Send to paige@crossroadsfamilycc.com for verification. 

MARCH 2024

Breaking Barriers:

Play Therapy with Resistant Parents and Children

This workshop is designed for mental health professionals seeking to enhance their skills in play therapy when working with resistant parents and children.

Resistance can present unique challenges in therapeutic settings, hindering progress and communication. Through a combination of theoretical exploration, experiential activities, and case studies, participants will gain practical tools to break through resistance and create meaningful connections with their clients.

Participants will delve into the nuances of play therapy, exploring how to tailor interventions to the unique needs of resistant clients.

The workshop will provide a safe space for learning and experimentation, allowing attendees to practice and refine their skills in a supportive environment. Cultural competence and collaborative approaches with parents will be emphasized, ensuring that participants leave with practical skills to apply in their own practice.



Objectives:

1. Participants will identify common signs and manifestations of resistance in the therapeutic process.
2. Participants will develop strategies for establishing and strengthening therapeutic alliances with resistant parents and children through play.
3. Participants will explore a variety of creative and play therapy interventions designed to engage resistant parents and children in the therapeutic process.
4. Participants will develop strategies for involving resistant parents in the therapeutic journey of their children.
5. Participants will address cultural considerations and diversity in the context of play therapy with resistant clients.

Topic: Resistance in Play Therapy

Presenter: Kristian Owens, LCSW-C, RPT, Reiki Master

Date/Time: Friday, March 8th, 2024 from 9am-12:15pm

Cost: $65.00

Student: $30.00 (With VALID ID). Send to paige@crossroadsfamilycc.com for verification.