Play Therapy Dimensions Model:
Mapping Trauma Responses using the PTDM Quadrants

This 60-minute webinar offers play therapists and mental health professionals a practical and insightful exploration of how trauma presents in children’s play, and how to respond effectively using the Play Therapy Dimensions Model (PTDM). Participants will learn how to recognise trauma responses, adapt their interventions, and apply the PTDM quadrants in a way that is attuned, intentional, and developmentally appropriate.

• Introduction to the PTDM and Therapy Continuum
  A brief overview of the Play Therapy Dimensions Model, with a focus on understanding the spectrum between directive and non-directive approaches in play therapy.
• Mapping Trauma Responses
  Explore how trauma impacts a child’s nervous system, emotional regulation, and symbolic expression. Understand how trauma responses emerge in play, and how the PTDM can be used to observe, track, and interpret these behaviours with sensitivity and insight.
• Applying the PTDM in Clinical Practice
  Discover how to use the quadrants of the PTDM to support assessment, case formulation, and therapeutic decision-making. Learn how to shift between dimensions to meet each child’s developmental, emotional, and relational needs.
• Using the PTDM Quadrants Through a Trauma Lens
  Gain a deeper understanding of how each PTDM quadrant can be used to support trauma recovery. Emphasis is placed on pacing, co-regulation, and therapist presence. Learn how to follow the child’s lead while maintaining emotional safety and trust.
• Summary and Integration
  Review the key concepts covered in the training and reflect on how to integrate the PTDM into your current clinical work. This section encourages reflective practice and highlights the importance of therapist intention in trauma-informed care.

This training is designed to support professionals working with children who have experienced trauma. Through the PTDM, therapists are equipped with a flexible, relational framework that supports safety, regulation, and healing in the playroom.