First Annual
Medical Play Therapy Conference
Medical Play Therapy Conference
ONLINE: November 6-7, 2026
Cost: $530 CAD + GST
Program Details
DAY ONE: Friday, NOVEMBER 6, 2026
NOV. 6, 1pm – 3pm
Medical Play Therapy in Practice: Case Conceptualization and Therapeutic Processes
Belinda Dean BN, MCPT, RND1, RPT-S™ and Michelle Perrin B.Ed; Ma.CPT; RPT™; CLT
This presentation explores medical play therapy in practice, with a focus on case conceptualization and therapeutic processes for children impacted by medical trauma, negative medical events or upcoming procedures requiring support. Drawing on the presenters’ professional experience across healthcare and play therapy contexts, the session highlights the role of the play therapist in supporting children’s rights to feel safe, informed, and supported during healthcare interventions. Concepts including common developmental worries associated with medical experiences and the role of intergenerational medical trauma are explored, alongside considerations for identifying medical trauma as a primary or underlying factor in a child’s presentation.
Using composite case examples, participants are guided from referral through to therapeutic closure, illustrating each phase of the medical play therapy process. The presentation integrates relevant theoretical frameworks, including the Therapeutic Powers of Play and the Play Therapy Dimensions Model, to bridge theory and practice. Attention is given to treatment planning, preparation for healthcare interactions, pre and post‑procedural care, and the role of the play therapist in supporting parents and carers within complex medical and systemic contexts.
Learning Objectives:
- Plan an appropriate medical play therapy treatment plan by evaluating time frame of referral, length of intervention, pre‑ or post‑care context, trauma complexity, goal feasibility, and selection of suitable therapeutic modalities.
- Apply a medical play therapy framework to case conceptualization, integrating assessment, treatment planning, preparation, and post‑procedural care using relevant theoretical models (including the Therapeutic Powers of Play and Play Therapy Dimensions Model).
- Implement practical play-based strategies to support children and caregivers experiencing healthcare contexts, considering developmental, relational, cultural, and systemic factors to promote safety, coping, and meaningful support.
Nov. 6, 3:15pm – 4:30pm
Improved Coping for Vaccination Procedures through Medical Play Therapy: Results from a Doctoral Study
Belinda Dean BN, MCPT, RND1, RPT-S™
This workshop explores how Medical Play Therapy can support young children during vaccinations and other medical procedures, with relevance for both play therapists and healthcare professionals. Drawing on findings from her 2026 PhD study, Belinda shares insights gained from engaging children aged 3–6 years old in pre‑procedural medical play therapy prior to a vaccination procedure. Children’s play, behaviour, and physiological responses before, during and after vaccination were analysed. From the results of this fascinating study, Participants will learn what is important to children involved in medical procedures such as vaccinations as well as the value of pre‑procedural medical play-based interventions.
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will:
- Gain insight into children’s emotional, developmental, and relational needs during vaccinations.
- Consider how the therapeutic powers of play function as core mechanisms of change in supporting children’s coping with needle related medical procedures.
- Understand how pre‑procedural medical play therapy can support coping, cooperation, and procedural experiences.
- Strengthen confidence in collaborative practice between play therapy and healthcare settings.
- Enhance advocacy for child focused, play‑informed approaches within medical environments.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain how the Therapeutic Powers of Play (TPoP), particularly therapeutic relationship and attachment, function as core mechanisms of change in supporting children’s coping with needle related medical procedures.
- Consider the use of play based assessments to inform treatment planning for pre-procedural medical play therapy for children aged 3–6 years.
- Reflect on evidence‑informed relationship‑first, play-based, developmentally sensitive medical play therapy activities to support children, parents, and healthcare professionals before, during, and after needle‑related procedures.
Nov. 6, 4:30pm – 5:30pm
Medical Play in Action: Therapy Rooms and Health Settings
Michelle Perrin B.Ed; Ma.CPT; RPT™; CLT
This presentation demonstrates the core principles of medical play therapy through practical case examples, with a focus on translating theory into clinical decision-making from referral through to closure. It explores how play therapists can support children impacted by medical trauma, distressing healthcare interactions, and upcoming procedures by promoting psychological safety, meaningful engagement, and developmentally appropriate understanding across both hospital and play therapy settings.
Participants will follow each case’s formulation and intervention pathway, illustrating how preparation, in-procedure support, and post-procedural integration can be delivered across both acute and play therapy settings. The session contrasts the application of play therapy principles in time-limited contacts within a paediatric healthcare setting, with longer-term therapeutic work, highlighting the play therapist’s role in partnering with caregivers and the multidisciplinary team to optimise support.
Learning objectives:
- Demonstrate understanding of medical play therapy principles in action by analyzing case examples across play therapy and paediatric healthcare settings.
- Identify ways to support primary caregivers to strengthen psychological safety and advocacy skills within healthcare settings (e.g., preparation, communication, co-regulation, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams).
- Design play-based treatment, and developmentally informed procedural plans to optimize coping, participation, and empowerment for children attending healthcare procedures.
DAY TWO: Saturday NOVEMBER 7, 2026
Nov. 7, 9am – 10am
Understanding and Supporting Students with PANS PANDAS: A Collaborative Approach
Nina Gudeon MD, FRCPC, LMCC
PANS/PANDAS is a complex neuropsychiatric condition that can cause sudden changes in behaviour and personality. This presentation will provide an overview of the current understanding of PANS/PANDAS, including common symptoms, possible infectious and inflammatory contributors, and the significant impact these conditions can have on individuals and families. Child and play therapists will also explore practical, collaborative approaches to recognition, support, and care within home, school, and clinical settings.
Learning objectives:
- Identify key indicators of PANS/PANDAS by understanding its medical, cognitive, and behavioral impacts on students and play therapy clients.
- Foster collaboration by exploring strategies for educators, physicians, play therapists and mental health professionals to support early diagnosis and care.
- Apply effective school accommodations by implementing IEPs, flexible schedules, and mental health supports to aid student success.
Nov. 7, 10am – 12pm
PANS/PANDAS and play therapy: Specific Considerations for Play Therapists working with Medically Complex Kids
Crystal McNaughton, MACP, R.Psych and Kelly McConnan Wiltshire, M.C., R.Psych, CPT
This session will present several case studies of children with PANS/PANDAS from intake to case closure. We will share practical considerations for intake processes, goal setting, and working with parents and families. Therapist considerations for self-care, flexibility and working with multiple professionals while utilizing a holistic approach will be explored. We will identify specific considerations, as well as the practical impacts on your therapeutic practice when working with medically complex children.
Learning objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will:
- Identify and design an intake process and initial play therapy goals for medically complex children, with a focus on identifying a presenting PANS/PANDAS diagnosis.
- Identify and describe play-based approaches for working with parents and families as they have been impacted by PANS/PANDAS or medically complex children.
- Describe play therapist considerations with regards to self-care, flexibility, and working with other professionals along the play therapy process.
Nov. 7, Part 1- 1pm – 2:30pm, Part 2 – 2:45pm – 4:30pm
PANS/PANDAS and Play Therapy: Specific Strategies for Using the Play Therapy Dimensions Model with Medically Complex Children
Crystal McNaughton, MACP, R.Psych and Kelly McConnan Wiltshire, M.C., R.Psych, CPT
Children with PANS/PANDAS often have multiple, unique considerations for play therapists to address, such as supporting regulation of the nervous and sensory system. We will explore how the use of the Play Therapy Dimensions Model can be flexibly used to work with medically complex children.
Learn practical play therapy skills, approaches, and activities to help work with medically complex children starting from before they even enter the playroom. We will utilize videos and pictures that highlight different case examples, as well as experiential activities to allow participants to gain practical knowledge when working with medically complex children. Participants will identify different approaches using the PTDM to implement and support a wide range of common goals or concerns with medically complex children.
Learning objectives:
At the conclusion of this presentation, participants will:
- Identify and analyze turning points in the Play Therapy Dimensions Model to support play therapist approaches to supporting change in the play therapy process.
- Prepare, select, and use play and sensory-based strategies/techniques/activities with children with PANS/PANDAS and/or medically complex children.
- Select and utilize a variety of play therapy activities to support goals and common areas of therapeutic work with medically complex children using the quadrants in the Play Therapy Dimensions Model
Please refer to our policies page for information on cancellations and missed classes.