Exciting announcement!
Our non-profit, A New Hope Academy, dedicated to supporting mental health professionals,
has launched—visit www.anewhopeacademy.org today!
Training & Workshops
Live and Virtual Trainings to Grow Your
Therapeutic Practice
"Education is for improving the lives of others and for leaving your community and world
better than you found it.” - Marian Wright Edelman
Welcome to the intersection of passion and professional growth! At our workshops and training sessions, we don't just teach skills — we ignite your potential through the lens of pop culture.
A New Hope Therapy Center is an Approved CE Provider for the Association for Play Therapy™ (APT™) - Approved Provider and our CEO Maria Laquerre-Diego is an Approved Provider for the New Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice Board.
"Maria trainings have always been a must! She is so interactive and playful, and just shows her genuine, kind spirited personality. You will leave her trainings learning so much, feeling empowered and ready to apply new techniques to your practice. My favorite thing about her trainings is after every training I have attended she really focuses on building a support system, and is always first to volunteer to be our cheerleader, pep coach or motivator! "
—SITH Conference Attendee
Why attend our trainings and workshops?
Engaging Content for All:
While we sprinkle in some pop culture references, our workshops are designed to resonate with everyone, regardless of their level of interest in popular media. We ensure that our content is relatable and accessible, making learning a breeze for all participants.
Unlock Your Creativity:
Pop culture is a goldmine of creativity, and we harness its power to inspire innovation and fresh perspectives. Even if you're not a pop culture buff, our workshops will ignite your creative spark and help you think outside the box.
Practical Skills for Success:
Beyond the pop culture references, our workshops focus on imparting practical skills that are essential for professional growth. From communication strategies to leadership techniques, you'll gain actionable insights that will propel your career forward.
Tailored Learning Experience:
Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, our workshops cater to all skill levels. With interactive sessions and personalized feedback, you'll receive the support you need to achieve your goals, no matter where you are in your career journey.
"The hands on interventions were creative and easily understood. They were insightful and could be used for any treatment population dynamic. This training was immensely entertaining, relevant and useful. I definitely hope we ask you for future out of the box trainings!"
— 'Villains in Play Therapy' training attendee
Upcoming Workshops
"Every training was rich and packed full of incredibly useful information. I feel as though this conference re-ignited so much passion and drive for this field of work both in me and in others."
— Disneyland Conference 2024 Attendee
Want to Become a Registered Play Therapist? Join our Play Academy!d
Our Play Academy's comprehensive training program provides clinical professionals with the education and supervision needed to become Registered Play Therapists™ (RPT™s).
The program is designed to meet the requirements of the Association for Play Therapy™ (APT™) and can be completed in two years.
"I have learned so much in the past year through the Play Academy and I am so excited to actually be close to becoming a registered play therapist. The trainings, the supervision, and the general sense of belonging offered though this program is unmatched and I am so happy that I took this journey!"
— Thomas Sanchez, LCSW
On-Demand Learningd
Can't access the timings of our live trainings & workshops? Sign up for our on-demand learnings to enjoy whenever and wherever suits you!
Geek Play Therapy Trainings
Discover our innovative, geeky play therapy trainings to harness the therapeutic potential of video games, comics, movies, and more!
Ethics in Supervision
Our Ethics in Supervision online course is designed to empower professionals in various counseling and therapy disciplines to become adept supervisors who not only guide but uphold the highest ethical standards. Whether you're a licensed counselor, therapist, or social worker, this program will equip you with the knowledge, skills, and certification required to navigate the complexities of ethical supervision.
"I really appreciated the way Maria offered ways to address incidentals that cannot be regimented but easily develop interventions to address those incidentals as closing a session when patient's emotions are high by using grounding techniques and containment"
— Trauma Narratives Using Play Therapy training attendee
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