Innovative Techniques with Hard-to-Engage Children and Teens

Date: May 5th, 2025 10:00 am – 1:00 pm
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Trainer: Liana Lowenstein, MSW, RSW, CPT-S

Working with difficult-to-engage clients can be frustrating and challenging, even for seasoned therapists. The challenge of working with children in therapy can be further compounded by their fear of entering therapy, their lack of control over the decision to attend therapy, and their developmental capacity which can make it difficult for them to respond to traditional talk-therapy. This training will explore factors underlying resistance and will present creative interventions for working with hard-to-engage children and teens. Videos of client sessions will illustrate techniques, and experiential activities will augment the learning process.

Learning Objectives:
-Describe the factors underlying therapeutic resistance.
-Implement creative interventions to facilitate rapport-building
-Implement creative techniques with hard-to-engage children and teens

Liana Lowenstein, MSW, RSW, CPT-S, is a Registered Clinical Social Worker, Certified Play Therapist-Supervisor, and Certified TF-CBT Therapist who has been working with children and their families since 1988. She presents trainings across North America and abroad. Recent speaking engagements include China, South Africa, Israel, England, and Australia. She provides clinical supervision to mental health practitioners, and consults to several mental health agencies. Her 14 psychotherapy books are known internationally for their innovative techniques. Liana is winner of the Monica Herbert award for outstanding contribution to play therapy in Canada.