Unlocking Access: Integrating Digital Play Therapy™ and Virtual Play Therapy to Reach Marginalized Populations

Dr. Jessica Stone

Ph.D., RPT-S

Friday, June 20, 2025

5:00pm-8:15pm EST
(APT Non-Contact CEs)

Disclaimer: APT sets guidelines for CE credits for participating in Live Webinars. 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 participants must be onscreen for the entire Live Webinar; and 3) complete an evaluation and post-test questions within one week of the webinar. UNC Charlotte staff will monitor participation and communicate with participants if they are not abiding by APT guidelines for Live Webinars.

Session Description

This 3-hour training offers play therapists a comprehensive understanding of Digital Play Therapy™ (DPT) and Virtual Play Therapy (VPT), emphasizing their unique applications and significant potential in modern therapeutic settings. Participants will explore the distinctions between DPT, which involves integrating digital tools into therapy sessions across various platforms, and VPT, which focuses on delivering therapy via telemental health platforms. The training will highlight how these approaches cater to clients' cultural and technological preferences, fostering engagement and therapeutic progress.

Primary Area: Play Therapy Special Topics

Play Therapy Competencies Addressed: Clinical Play Therapy Skills

Theoretical Basis: Perscriptive

Learning Objectives

1- Define Digital Play Therapy™ and distinguish it from virtual play therapy;

2- Develop strategies to effectively incorporate DPT and VPT into clinical practice to enhance accessibility and therapeutic outcomes for clients from marginalized communities;

3- . Participants will be able to demonstrate practical techniques for incorporating digital tools into play therapy sessions to activate the Therapeutic Powers of Play.

4- Demonstrate the use of virtual reality and AI-powered tools in play therapy to enhance therapeutic storytelling, engagement, and administrative efficiency."

Brief Bio

Jessica Stone, Ph.D., RPT-S, is a licensed psychologist and executive coach working in a private practice setting. She has been a practitioner, professor, presenter, mentor, and author for more than 30 years. Dr. Stone’s interest in therapeutic digital tools, specifically using virtual reality, tablets, and consoles and AI, has culminated in clinical mental health use and research for mental health, medical, and crisis settings. She is the co-creator of the Virtual Sandtray App for iPad (VSA) and the Virtual Sandtray for Virtual Reality (VSA-VR). Dr. Stone is the past Chief Psychology Officer for AscendantVR, is a member of various boards, and has served as an affiliate of the East Carolina University College of Education Neurocognition Science Laboratory.

Questions?

Please contact Dr. Kristie Opiola regarding program questions at kopiola@charlotte.edu.

Please contact the Office of School and Community Partnerships at oscp-coed@charlotte.edu if you have questions regarding registration.