Play Therapy in Costa Rica! / ¡Terapia de Juego en Costa Rica!

Play Therapy in Costa Rica!

Week-long Intensive: Saturday, January 31 – Sunday, February 8, 2026

Proposed Program Itinerary:

(Note: As guests in another country, we may adjust the order of the schedule due to unforeseen glitches outside our control. Patience is appreciated— rest assured, all material will be covered.)

Saturday, Jan 31: Arrival in San José, transportation to Grecia, welcome tour & dinner

Sunday, Feb 1: Excursion day

Monday, Feb 2: Spanish immersion begins + Cultural Foundations of Play Therapy in Costa Rica

Tuesday, Feb 3: Spanish classes + Play Therapist Guest Lecture + Play Therapy CEs

Wednesday, Feb 4: Spanish classes + Play Therapy CEs + Optional excursion

Thursday, Feb 5: Spanish classes + School field visit + Play Therapy CEs

Friday, Feb 6: Spanish classes + Play Therapist Office Exploration + Play Therapy CEs

Saturday, Feb 7: Excursion day

Sunday, Feb 8: Return travel – transport back to SJO airport

Learning Objectives

By the end of this workshop, participants will:

• Identify at least two ways cultural and language immersion experiences can inform and enhance play therapy practice with children and adults.

• Demonstrate Costa Rican Spanish vocabulary related to therapeutic interventions and play therapy during structured practice activities.

• Describe the historical and theoretical foundations of play therapy and identify cross-cultural applications observed during the training.

• Compare and contrast at least three key differences and similarities in how play therapy is practiced in Costa Rica versus the United States.

• Apply at least two culturally responsive play therapy techniques demonstrated through lecture, video clips, or live observation.

• Adapt play therapy interventions for use across different service settings, including clinics, schools, and older adult care environments.

• Modify play therapy techniques to fit various developmental stages, from young children to older adults, incorporating bilingual practice.

• Explain how the Costa Rican concept of Pura Vida can be applied to personal wellness and therapist self-care in play therapy practice.

• Identify attachment-based play therapy strategies for co-regulation, repair, and emotional attunement, using examples from group discussion or media clips (e.g., Bluey).

• Participate in experiential activities to practice culturally attuned, attachment-based responses within the context of play therapy.

About the Presenters

Dawn J Williamson, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S™: Over 20 years in private practice, offering supervision and training in play therapy since 1997. APT Award of Excellence (2018). Extensive international experience, including leading groups in Costa Rica since 2006.

Jamie A Watson, MA, LMFT, RPT-S™APT Approved Provider (#25-761): Over a decade supporting neurodivergent children and families. Experienced graduate-level instructor, certified in TF-CBT and Foster and Adoptive Family Therapy. Active with Oregon APT and passionate about supervision, consultation, and play therapy training.

Costs

$1,450 will include airport transportation, two meals (welcome dinner and farewell lunch), Spanish Classes, Play Therapy CE's, and scheduled activities/excursions.

• Meals, airfare, accommodations, and personal expenses are not included.

• The option to stay with a Costa Rican host family is available (additional fee).

Continuing Education

Jamie Watson is an APT Approved Provider (#25-761). A total of 20 APT Contact CEs (pending) will be awarded at the end of the trip.

Cancellation Policy

Due to the nature of international travel coordination and third-party partnerships, we have a firm cancellation policy for this event.

• A non-refundable deposit is required to secure your spot.

• Both the initial deposit and a significant portion of the overall program fee are paid directly to the Spanish language school in Costa Rica to reserve your space, cover instruction, excursions, and staffing. These funds are non-transferable and non-recoverable once paid.

• Cancellations made before December 15, 2025 may be eligible for a partial refund of additional payments made (excluding the non-refundable deposit), minus a $50 administrative fee. Partial refunds are not guaranteed.

• Cancellations made after December 15, 2025 are not eligible for any refund, as final bookings for classes, meals, transportation, and services will have been confirmed on your behalf.

• We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance to protect your investment in the event of illness, travel changes, or emergencies.

• If emergency situations or missed class time arise, presenters will make every effort to share materials; however, CE hours cannot be guaranteed for missed sessions due to APT requirements.

Questions?

Jamie Watson: jamie@jamiewatsonconsulting.com | 📞 512-966-4440

Dawn J Williamson: dawnjwilliamsonlcsw@gmail.com | 📞 971-235-2610