As therapists, we are often searching for new, effective, and engaging ways to teach CBT strategies to children using play therapy — especially children facing anxiety-provoking challenges. In this workshop, Robin O’Heeron, PhD will introduce her original and innovative program using adventure maps and a simple, playful language (“map talk”) designed to make this evidence-based program more like going on an imaginative adventure with your clients.

 This workshop demonstrates how CBT strategies, integrated with play therapy, can help children shift from anxiety-based thinking to courage-based thinking. Dr. O’Heeron, along with Jessica Pinto, LMFT, will take participants on a “guided tour” along the PluckyWize® Imaginal Mastery Map™ trails. They will demonstrate how the locations along the trails correspond to CBT processes that guide both the therapist and client through skill-building opportunities in a playful format.

Whether you already utilize CBT or are curious about how to incorporate CBT into your practice, this experiential workshop is designed to make your work with your clients more creative and fun. These tools and techniques are effective when working with individuals and with groups.

1)  Attendees will be able to describe research-supported strategies designed to  motivate children (and parents).
2)  Attendees will be able to identify components of cognitive therapy inherent in the PluckyWize® approach.
3)  Attendees will be able to implement courage enhancing tools and strategies using “map talk” and lesson plans.
4)  Attendees will be able to apply anxiety-busting exposures designed to lessen anxiety.

Dr. Robin O’Heeron (CA PSY14413) is a licensed psychologist in private practice in Marin County, California with over 26 years of experience. She is a founding fellow of the Academy of Cognitive Therapy. Dr. O’Heeron works with clients with a variety of concerns including anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorders in children, adolescents and adults. The PluckyWize® Program integrates her many years of training and experience, blending CBT, play therapy, and mindfulness-based stress reduction.

Jessica Pinto, LMFT (MFC53420) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist specializing in the treatment of anxiety disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder in children and adolescents. In addition to her private practice in Corte Madera, Jessica specializes in Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy (EFP) and is the founder of Equinicity Marin™, a unique experiential program that incorporates nature, art, and animals to enhance growth and learning. Equinicity frequently partners with PluckyWize to host experiential outdoor workshops in beautiful, natural settings. Jessica also co-facilitates a support group for teens with anxiety and OCD.

This training is appropriate for mental healthcare providers and education professionals at all levels of expertise and working with any population in any treatment setting. Not all attendees are eligible for CE Credits.

10:00 – 10:30: Overview of CBT and PluckyWize Model
10:30 – 12:00: Introduction to how CBT Interventions relate to different locations on the Imaginal Mastery Maps
12:00 – 1:00: Lunch (No CE provided)
1:00 – 2:00: Interventions and lesson plans: goal setting, mindfulness, gradual exposure (building a courage ladder), cognitive restructuring, and progress monitoring
2:00 – 2:30: Bringing PluckyWize to life using art projects
2:30 – 3:00: Case examples using PluckWize

Continuing Education (CE) Credit: Licensed therapists who attend this workshop in full and complete the appropriate evaluation form will receive continuing education (CE) credits. Please note that the San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy will issue credit only to those who attend the entire workshop. Those who arrive more than 15 minutes after the start time or leave before the workshop ends will not receive CE credit.

The San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy (Provider Approval No.: CEN034) is approved by the California Psychological Association to provide continuing professional education for psychologists. The San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy maintains responsibility for this program and its content. The San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy (Provider Approval No.: PCE288) is approved by California Board of Behavioral Sciences to provide continuing professional education for Marriage and Family Therapists and Licensed Clinical Social Workers. The San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

Disclosure Information: The California Psychological Association and the American Psychological Association require that continuing education providers inform participants as to the source, amount, nature, and disposition of any funding used to support the continuing education activity, whether in the form of educational grants, cash contributions, or in-kind contributions. Individuals in a position to influence course content must also disclose whether they have one or more relevant financial relationships with individuals and companies who have a financial interest in activity content. These individuals include the CE Advisory Committee of the San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy (SFBACCT). Institutional Conflict of Interest Disclosure: The San Francisco Bay Area Center for Cognitive Therapy does not receive commercial support for any of the continuing education activities it provides.

Individual Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Joan Davidson, PhD, SFBACCT CE Advisory Committee, has no relevant financial relationships or conflicts. Daniela J. Owen, PhD, SFBACCT CE Advisory Committee, has no relevant financial relationships or conflicts. Michael A. Tompkins, PhD, ABPP, SFBACCT CE Advisory Committee, has no relevant financial relationships or conflicts. Speaker Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Robin O’Heeron, PhD, Workshop Leader, as the founder and owner of PluckyWize®, Robin O’Heeron, PhD has a financial interest in any and all PluckyWize® products. Jessica Pinto, LMFT, Workshop Leander, as the founder and owner of founder of Equinicity Marin™ has a financial interest in any and all Equinicity Marin™ programs.