Seminars & Webinars
Seminars for Therapists
The Centre for Expressive Therapy offers seminars and live webinars for therapists wishing to incorporate Expressive Play Therapy®, a holistic and integrative approach, into their practices or further develop its use. All courses are Master’s level or higher, and are taught by Marie José Dhaese, PhD, RCC, ATR, RPT-S, CPT-S.
This training teaches an approach to healing that is person-centered and always starts from the client’s primary need. The therapist both follows and guides the client’s process, introducing structured interventions as needed that combine the multi-sensory gifts of nature, bilateral body-centred exercises, imagery and a variety of expressive therapies.
Particular attention is paid to creating a healing environment which offers a wide variety of expressive therapies to facilitate symbolic expression and transformation and also provide ways of creating healing images that support the healing process.
The training offered at the Centre is not only a time of learning, but also a time for self-renewal. Participants have the opportunity to experience first-hand all that is being taught, whether it is the nurturing and healing environment of the playroom, the range of expressive therapies, or the opportunity to interact with Marie José’s co-therapists, her standard poodles.


Seminars begin each day at 9am and end at 4:30pm with a one-hour lunch break and short coffee break in the morning and afternoon. The schedule allows for plenty of time to enjoy the beauty of the Parksville area. During breaks, participants can wander in the beautiful garden, sit by the pond and watch the birds or take a walk to the ocean, Rathtrevor Park or the Englishman Estuary—all just minutes from the Centre.
Coffee, tea and fresh bread are offered each morning, but additional meals and accommodations are not provided during training. There are a number of restaurants and accommodations in nearby Parksville.
Please do not wear any scented products when visiting the Centre in consideration for those suffering from environmental allergies.
The cost of each seminar includes a certificate of attendance. Seminars specific to play therapy earn 6 CEU credits per day toward certification with CAPT and BCPTA.
For participants wishing to count credits toward certification with CAPT or BCPTA, a successful student evaluation component in the form of an essay will be required. There will be an additional charge for this.
The Centre for Expressive Therapy is accredited by the Canadian Association for Play Therapy (Provider #09-102), the British Columbia Play Therapy Association (Provider #1-2018) , and the Association for Play Therapy (Provider #95-010).
Please visit their websites to learn more about their specific requirements.
Seminars are offered in small groups (maximum eight participants) at dates specified on Seminar schedule. They are also available for small groups or on an individual basis upon request.
Individuals
CAD $150.00
per hour (includes GST)
For 2 Participants
CAD $95.00 per hour
per person (includes GST)
For 3-4 at the Centre
CAD $80.00 per hour
per person (includes GST)
Seminars begin each day at 9am and end at 4:30pm with a one-hour lunch break and short coffee break in the morning and afternoon. The schedule allows for plenty of time to enjoy the beauty of the Parksville area. During breaks, participants can wander in the beautiful garden, sit by the pond and watch the birds or take a walk to the ocean, Rathtrevor Park or the Englishman Estuary—all just minutes from the Centre.
Coffee, tea and fresh bread are offered each morning, but additional meals and accommodations are not provided during training. There are a number of restaurants and accommodations in nearby Parksville.
Please do not wear any scented products when visiting the Centre in consideration for those suffering from environmental allergies.
The cost of each seminar includes a certificate of attendance. Seminars specific to play therapy earn 6 CEU credits per day toward certification with CAPT and BCPTA.
For participants wanting to count credits toward certification with CAPT or BCPTA, a successful student evaluation component in the form of an essay will be required. There will be an additional charge for this.
The Centre for Expressive Therapy is accredited by the Canadian Association for Play Therapy (Provider #09-102), and the British Columbia Play Therapy Association (Provider #1-2018) and the Association for Play Therapy (Provider #95-010).
Please visit their websites to learn more about their specific requirements.
Seminars are offered in small groups (maximum eight participants) at dates specified on Seminar schedule. They are also available for small groups or on an individual basis upon request.
Individuals
CAD $150.00
per hour (includes GST)
For 2 Participants
CAD $95.00 per hour
per person (includes GST)
For 3-4 at the Centre
CAD $80.00 per hour
per person (includes GST)

2023 Webinar & Seminar Schedule
Webinar: Expressive Play Therapy - A Holistic and Integrative Approach | March 18-19 & April 15-16, 2023 | Click for description |
Webinar: Expressive Play Therapy for Healing Complex Trauma | May 11-13, 2023 | Click for Description |
Seminar: Sand Play Therapy, A Healing Journey for All Ages | July 12-15, 2023 | Click for description |
Seminar: A Self-Care Retreat for Therapists | August 16-18, 2023 | Click for description |
Webinar: Expressive Play Therapy for the Grieving Child | November 10-12, 2023 | Click for description |
Webinar: Addressing Transference and Counter-Transference in Supervision | Scheduled upon request | Click for description |
Seminar: Images of Healing in Sand Play Therapy | ...to be announced | Click for description |
Webinar: From Traumatic Play to Creative Play: A Holistic Approach to Healing Trauma | ...to be announced | Click for description |
2024 Webinar & Seminar Schedule
Webinar: Expressive Play Therapy - A Holistic and Integrative Approach | ...to be announced | Click for description |
Webinar: Sand Play Therapy, A Healing Journey for All Ages | ...to be announced | Click for description |
Webinar: Expressive Play Therapy for Healing Complex Trauma | ...to be announced | Click for description |
Webinar: Sand Play Therapy, A Healing Journey for All Ages | ...to be announced | Click for description |
Webinar: Images of Healing in Sand Play Therapy | ...to be announced | Click for description |
A Self-Care Retreat for Therapists | ...to be announced | Click for description |
Expressive Play Therapy for the Grieving Child | ...to be announced | Click for description |
From Traumatic Play to Creative Play: A Holistic Approach to Healing Trauma | ...to be announced | Click for description |
Webinar: Addressing Transference and Counter-Transference in Supervision | Scheduled Upon Request | Click for description |