The mission of the Multicultural Play Therapy Center Conference is to help professionals in the fields of mental health and education broaden their knowledge and clinical skills in play therapy by providing high quality training. Although our clients, settings, and approaches may vary, we are all joined together in our sincere desire to meet the diverse needs of our clients through the healing power of play therapy. Welcome to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and the Multicultural Play Therapy Center.
What: The 25th Annual Multicultural Play Therapy Center Conference
Who Should Attend: Professional counselors, school counselors, play therapists, social workers, psychologists, and students. LCMHCs, school counselors, and those seeking RPT/S from APT earn up to 48 CEs for the conference (APT Approved Provider #07-191; NBCC Approved Provider #4208). Special rates for current students and May graduates. We will provide CEs for social workers in North Carolina. Please note that for NC LCMHCs whose licenses expire on June 30, 2026, all CEs earned at our conference can be used for your license renewal.
Where: This year's conference will have both 3-hour non-contact live webinar sessions (June 19-20) on Zoom and 5 days in person (June 22-26) sessions are hosted at UNC Charlotte, Cone Center, Lucas Room. Please park at the Cone Center Visitor Parking Garage (8921 University Rd, Charlotte, NC 28262).
When:
Webinars: The 3-hour live webinars will be June 19-20 via Zoom. UNC Charlotte encourages the following guidelines for CE credits for participating in Live Webinars/ Non-contact. All participants in live webinars must 1) actively participate in the Live Webinar through the chat feature and experiential activities; 2) have their camera on and each participant is onscreen for the Live Webinar; and 3) complete an evaluation and post-test questions within one week of the webinar. UNC Charlotte staff will monitor attendance. UNC Charlotte utilizes Zoom for their Live Webinars.
In-Person Sessions: The in-person sessions will be June 22-26 at UNCC. In-person sessions are from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm (EST) (6 Contact CEs/day). You will receive an email with information about parking, campus facilities, the schedule for the day, and food options.
Approved Providers: NBCC Approved Provider #4208 and APT Approved Provider #07-191 for all sessions. The 3-hour live webinars Zoom sessions are limited to 50 attendees to ensure the CEs meet the standards for Live Webinars by APT. The in-person sessions are approved as contact hours by APT.
Cost:
Live Webinars
Professional: $75.00 per Live Webinars
UNC-Charlotte Student: $25.00 per session Live Webinar
Student (other university): $50.00 per Live Webinar
All Webinars (6 Live Webinars): $400 for professionals
In-person Sessions
Professional: $150.00 per workshop
UNC-Charlotte Student: $50 per workshop
Student (other university): $75 per workshop
All In-person Sessions (5 days): $700.00 for professionals
Conference All Access Pass
6 Live Webinars and 5 In-person Workshops: $1000.00 for professionals
All students must register with an official university email address to ensure student rate.
No refunds will be made after June 12, 2026. Refunds will be subject to a $25 processing fee. For a refund, email Dr. Jordan Z. Boyd at jboyd44@charlotte.edu.
Photo and Video Release: As a result of your registration for the conference, you hereby consent to being photographed, videotaped, or audio-taped by UNC Charlotte in connection with the above- named event or activity; provided, however, that UNC Charlotte has authority to use or reproduce such photographs, video recordings, or audio recordings for UNC Charlotte educational or promotional purposes only. You understand that UNC Charlotte will not distribute such photographs, video recordings, or audio recordings to any third party, or use such photographs, video recordings, or audio recordings for any other purpose without your further written consent and agreement. Any unauthorized reproduction, dissemination, or use of video, photography, and/or audio associated with this event is strictly prohibited and will result in charges in accordance with North Carolina General Statute Chapter 14, Article 58, 14-433 through 14-440.
Friday- Saturday, June 19-20, 2026: Virtual Conference (total of 6 sessions, each session is 3 Non-Contact CE hours)
Let's Talk Teleology: Going Beyond the Behavior in Adlerian Play Therapy with Kaleb A. Thompson, PhD, NCC
Supporting Autistic Children Through CCPT: Evidence-Based, Neurodiversity-Affirming Practice with Regine K. Chung, PhD, LPC, LMHC, RPT
Bridging Relational-Cultural Theory and Play Therapy Practice with Michelle Pliske, PhD, DSW LCSW RPT-S
From Stories to Self-Talk: Culturally Responsive CBPT in Action with Lisa Remey, MEd, LPC-S, RPT-S™, NCC, RST-C/T
Effective Treatment of ADHD Using Child-Centered Play Therapy and Parent Consultation with Amy R. Work, MA, LCMHC-QS, RPT-S
A Creative Continuum: A Framework for Working with the Whole Child by Integrating Expressive Arts with Play Therapy with Jill Weidknecht Van Horne (PhD, RPTS, LCMHCS, NCPSC, EAGALA Certified) & Katherine S. Biddle (PhD, LPC (VA), REAT.)
Monday-Friday, June 22-26, 2026: In-Person Conference at UNC Charlotte (total od 6 sessions, each session is 6 Contact CE hours)
Theraplay®: An Attachment-Based Play Therapy Approach for Enhancing Regulation and Relational Connection with Karen Doyle Buckwalter, LCSW, RPT-S
Play Therapy with Adolescents Through Sandtray: Unlocking Creative Potential During a Season of Complex Neurodevelopment (2 days) with Marshall Lyles, LMFT-S, LPC-S, RPT-S
Integrating the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics in Play Therapy with Kim Vander Dussen, Psy.D., RPT-S
Sensory Processing in the Playroom: Integrating Neuroscience and Play Therapy Practice with Kim Vander Dussen, Psy.D., RPT-S
Supervision in Play Therapy: Competencies, Ethics and Self-Care Considerations with Rebekah Byrd Ph.D., LPC, (TN), LCMHC (NC), NCC, ACS, RPT-S
9041 Robert D Snyder Road
Charlotte, NC
704-978-8000
8419 N. Tryon Street
Charlotte, NC
704-548-0905
333 West W.T. Harris Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28262
704-549-4888
7735 University City Blvd
Charlotte, NC 28213
877-547-0049
8629 JM Keynes Drive
Charlotte, NC 28262
704-547-7444
415 West W.T. Harris Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28262
704-593-0700
Please contact Dr. Jordan Z. Boyd regarding program questions at jboyd44@charlotte.edu.
Please contact the Office of School and Community Partnerships at oscp-coed@charlotte.edu if you have questions regarding registration.