Play in Motion: Expressive Arts & Lego®-Based Interventions for Every Age
July 11, 2025 | In Person, Las Cruces, NM
Play in Motion: Expressive Arts & Lego®-Based Interventions for Every Age
Unlock the power of play across the lifespan! Whether you're supporting a sand-throwing kindergartener, a TikTok-loving teen, or an adult reconnecting with their inner child, Play in Motion will equip you with a toolbox full of creative, expressive, and interactive interventions grounded in time-tested theories of play therapy.
This immersive 6-hour training is packed with hands-on techniques using expressive arts, LEGO® bricks, movement, and pop culture. We’ll blend concepts from Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), Adlerian Play Therapy, Gestalt, Jungian, and Synergetic Play Therapy, providing both structure and freedom for clients of all ages to heal and grow. You’ll walk away with ready-to-use tools, fresh ideas, and a deeper appreciation for the power of play.
Because healing doesn’t have to be boring.
Learning Objectives
-
Identify at least 6 expressive arts-based play therapy interventions that align with foundational theories such as Child-Centered, Gestalt, and Adlerian Play Therapy.
-
Apply LEGO®-based techniques rooted in Synergetic and Narrative Play Therapy to support resilience-building and storytelling.
-
Describe how expressive arts techniques support the goals of trauma processing, grief work, identity exploration, and emotional regulation across the lifespan.
-
Demonstrate how to adapt interventions using play therapy theories to be developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive.
-
Integrate pop culture and client-centered interests into theoretical frameworks to enhance therapeutic rapport and effectiveness.
-
Create at least one personalized expressive intervention based on a presenting concern and grounded in a specific theoretical orientation.
Presenter
A self-described geek, Maria Laquerre-Diego, LMFT, RPT-S is a CEO and Owner who is committed to increasing access to mental health services and breaking down the stigma surrounding therapy services. As a therapist turned CEO, Maria has developed a unique perspective when it comes to mental health and the barriers surrounding mental health treatment. Influenced by her time at New Mexico State University in the Family and Consumer Science department, and University of New Hampshire’s Marriage and Family Therapy department, Maria has turned her dedication to giving back and supporting future generations of therapists.
In addition to supporting mental health providers, Maria takes an active role in addressing the continued stigma of mental health services through the use of pop culture – everything from movies and television shows to superheroes and Disney characters. Maria has spoken about mental health at several local events, has served as an officer on professional boards and has provided training to clinicians all over the country.
Details & Registration
Date: July 11, 2025
Location: A New Hope Therapy Center
715 E Idaho Ste 2B, Las Cruces, NM 88001
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
11:30-1:00
Lunch Break
2:45
15 Minute Break
5:00
Presentation Ends
Of note: This is an in person training. Please dress comfortable, layers are suggested as our room can be chilly in the morning. You are welcome to bring your refillable water bottle or coffee cup - we have a water station and a Keurig for your use! We will have light refreshments available, however if you have food sensitivities, please feel free to bring your own!
This training will provide 6 CE Credits. 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 and Maria Laquerre-Diego is an Approved Provider for the NM Counseling and Therapy Practice Board CCE020981