December 12, 2025 | Live Zoom Webinar
Beyond Bright: Play Therapy for the Unique Needs of Gifted Children
Harnessing the Power of Play to Support Neurodivergent Children & Teens
Beyond Bright: Play Therapy for the Unique Needs of Gifted Children is an introductory training designed for clinicians working with gifted and twice-exceptional (2e) children - part of the neurodiversity spectrum - through play therapy.
This training bridges the world of giftedness and twice-exceptionality with Adlerian Play Therapy theory and techniques. You’ll learn how traits like asynchronous development, heightened sensitivity, and perfectionism impact the therapeutic process, how challenges such as anxiety or social isolation can emerge in play, and how to use strengths like creativity, problem-solving, and deep curiosity as pathways for growth.
Walk away with practical, play-based tools to help gifted and 2e children thrive both inside and beyond the playroom.
Learning Objectives
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Learn at least three distinguishing factors between gifted traits, high academic achievement, and potential co-occurring conditions, such as ADHD, autism, or anxiety disorders, to provide more accurate and effective play therapy support.
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Identify at least three common social-emotional characteristics of gifted children, including intensity, perfectionism, and asynchronous development, and their impact on Adlerian play therapy.
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Explore and learn to implement at least three specialized play therapy interventions that support the emotional regulation, creativity, and cognitive complexity of gifted children through an Adlerian lens.
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Identify at least three common struggles, such as anxiety, impostor syndrome, social isolation, and heightened sensitivity in gifted children, at least three common themes, and the four Crucial Cs associated with those struggles observable through play therapy.
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Learn at least three support techniques to equip caregivers and educators with insights and tools to support the emotional well-being and development of gifted children beyond the play therapy setting.
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Learn to identify at least three common unique strengths of gifted children, within the context of an Adlerian approach, to promote balanced and effective play therapy outcomes.
Presenter
Madison (Madi) Duran is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, applying to be a registered play therapy (RPT) in May 2025, and is EMDR Trained, seeking certification. She is a born and raised New Mexican (always choose green, IYKYK), working with children and adults in Las Cruces, New Mexico. She specializes in child-centered play therapy, EMDR, and the integration of the two.
She is a fun and creative therapist, who values the individuality of client's interests and therapeutic process, incorporating "geek" elements whenever possible, in a play room full of Marvel, Star Wars, Avatar the Last Airbender, Lord of the Rings, and other pop culture influences. Outside of the play room, Madi can be found spending time and being active with her family and fur babies, or being creative through art and sourdough baking.
Details & Registration
Date: December 12, 2025
Location: Online Zoom Training (MST Timezone)
Pricing:
$175 Professional Pricing
$85 Student Pricing
*Pricing includes CE Certificate
Schedule:
8:45
Check In/Sign in
9:00
Presentation Begins
10:30
15 Minute Break
11:30-12:30
Lunch Break
2:30
15 Minute Break
4:30
Presentation Ends
What if I can't make the training live? We've got you covered! With this event, you can register to attend live or for the recording only and watch it whenever it works for you. All registrants will receive access to the recordings, which will be available for 30 days.
Of note: If you are attending the online training live, it is required that you have your video on and are actively participating in order to earn the offered CEs. Please do not engage in other activities while in this training including driving, driving through for that coffee fix, or rearranging your closet - this training requires your attention and engagement. You will receive an email with the Zoom link and any handouts the day prior to the training.
This training will provide 6 CE Credits (if you attend by watching the on-demand recording this will require successful completion of a post-test). A New Hope Therapy Center, our sister organization and partner for trainings and workshops, is an Approved Provider for the Association for Play Therapy (APT) - Approved Provider 20-631; Maria Laquerre-Diego is an Approved Provider for the NM Counseling and Therapy Practice Board CCE020981; and A New Hope Academy has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7816. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. A New Hope Academy is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.