Steady in the Storm: Boundaries & Best Practices for Play Therapists in High-Conflict Divorce

Working with children experiencing high-conflict divorce requires play therapists to balance care, clarity, and unwavering boundaries. This workshop explores the unique clinical, ethical, and relational challenges that arise when families are divided, communication is strained, and caregivers may be engaged in litigation, triangulation, or attempts to influence the therapeutic process. Participants will learn developmentally sensitive play therapy interventions while also strengthening their ability to navigate parental conflict, manage competing caregiver demands, document appropriately, and maintain a neutral and child-centered role. The training incorporates real-world scenarios, boundary-setting language, ethical decision-making frameworks, and strategies for protecting the therapeutic alliance in emotionally charged environments. Designed for play therapists working in clinical settings, private practice, or court-involved cases, this workshop helps clinicians stay steady, ethical, and effective—even when the family system is in

turmoil.