“Problem children.”
Sadly, that’s how kids with Disruptive Behavior Disorders—like ODD, Conduct Disorder, and PDA—are often labeled.
And instead of focusing on how to connect with these kids, most treatment models focus on controlling, suppressing, or eliminating the behavior.
But behavior is communication. And when children feel powerless, misunderstood, or unsafe, their “defiance” is really a call for relationship, regulation, and repair.
This training flips that script.
Led by Dr. Michael Whitehead—author of Treating Children with Disruptive Behavior Disorders—you’ll learn a play-therapy-centered, relationship-based model that empowers children and re-engages the systems around them.
Through child-centered, filial, and directive play therapy interventions, you’ll discover how play therapy unlocks safety, trust, and self-expression—while also helping caregivers and teachers shift from authority to attunement.
You’ll leave with a toolbox of experiential, neurobiologically informed play therapy strategies—from LEGO®, SORRY!®, origami, and juggling games to HeartMath® and somatic play therapy activities—that strengthen co-regulation, foster resilience, and transform family and classroom dynamics.
This isn’t about “fixing” children. It’s about reshaping the relational environment through play as the language of healing—so kids, families, and schools can grow together.
Whether you work in private practice, schools, or community mental health, you’ll walk away with a flexible, compassionate roadmap for creating real, lasting change.
Register now.
All members of the PESI, Inc. planning committee have provided disclosures of financial relationships with ineligible organizations and any relevant non-financial relationships prior to planning content for this activity. None of the committee members had relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies or other potentially biasing relationships to disclose to learners. For speaker disclosures, please see the faculty biography.
NOTE: Each purchase includes CE credit for one individual (participants in full attendance will be able to print the certificate of completion after passing the online post-test (80% passing score) and completing the evaluation). Instructional methods will include PowerPoint, didactic lecture, Q&A, and others.
Continuing Education Information: Credits listed below are for full attendance at the live, interactive webinar only. This webinar is being broadcast live in real-time and must be attended live, in its entirety, in order to earn credit. You will be able to type questions to the speaker. The speaker will see the questions and address them during the presentation as time allows. Please note, your licensing board dictates whether web-based activities are an acceptable form of continuing education, as well as which credit types are acceptable for continuing education hours. Please refer to your licensing board's rules and regulations. If your profession is not listed, please contact your licensing board to determine your continuing education requirements and check for reciprocal approval. For other credit inquiries not specified below, please contact info@pesi.com or 800-844-8260 before the event.
Materials that are included in this course may include interventions and modalities that are beyond the authorized practice of your profession. As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities that are defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice in accordance with and in compliance with your profession's standards.
For Planning Committee disclosures, please see the statement above. For speaker disclosures, please see the faculty biography.
Earn up to 6.25 CE hours. Please see below, for more details, as credit amounts vary by jurisdiction and profession.
PESI, Inc. is approved by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association to offer continuing education for counsellors and psychotherapists. PESI, Inc. maintains responsibility for the program. This activity is approved for 6.0 credit hours.
PESI, Inc., #1062, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: January 27, 2023 - January 27, 2026. Social workers completing this course receive 6.25 Clinical continuing education credits.
Course Level: Intermediate Format: Synchronous Distance. Full attendance is required; no partial credits will be offered for partial attendance.
Canadian Social Workers: Canadian provinces may accept activities approved by the ASWB for ongoing professional development.
PESI, Inc. is approved by the Canadian Psychological Association to offer continuing education for psychologists. PESI, Inc. maintains responsibility for the program. This program is approved for 6.0 continuing education hours. Full credit statement at: www.pesi.com/cpa-statement
This activity qualifies for 380 continuing education minutes as required by many national and local licensing boards and professional organizations. Save your activity advertisement and certificate of completion, and contact your own board or organization for specific requirements.
This live remote program is approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval #886759332-8331 ) for 6.0 continuing education contact hours in Clinical Social Work.
| File type | File name | Number of pages | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual - Disruptive Behavior Disorders (4 MB) | 74 Pages | Available after Purchase |
Michael Whitehead, PhD, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™, and developer of Integrative Systemic Play Therapy (ISPT). He earned his PhD in human development and family studies from Michigan State University and MS/BS degrees from Brigham Young University. In full-time practice at Aspen Grove Family Therapy in Twin Falls, Idaho, he specializes in high-conflict families, childhood behavioral challenges, and family reunification therapy. A part-time professor and published author, Dr. Whitehead is also the author of Treating Children with Disruptive Behavior Disorders and a frequent speaker and professional leader in play and family therapy.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Michael Whitehead has employment relationships with Aspen Grove Family Therapy and National University. He receives a speaking honorarium and book royalties from PESI, Inc. He has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Michael Whitehead is a member of the Association for Play Therapy, the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and the Coalition of Associations for Systemic Therapy.
For live CE credit, you must watch the live webcast in its entirety at its scheduled time and complete the CE quiz and evaluation within one week. You will have access for 90 days after the program for review.
Please note: There will be a 70-minute lunch and two 15-minute breaks; one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Lunch and break times will be announced by the speaker and at their discretion. A more detailed schedule is available upon request.
Visit our FAQ page at https://www.pesicanada.ca/faq or contact us at https://www.pesicanada.ca/contact-us.
Why Behavior Plans Fail Children
Foundations for Healing Through Play Therapy
The BISON Model: A Framework for Intervention
Clinic-to-Classroom Carryover
Real Families, Real Change
Research, Risks, and Rethinking Behaviorism
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