The Theraplay Institute welcomes parents to our website! In this website you will find what you need to know about the nature of Theraplay, the assessment method used with Theraplay (the Marschak Interaction Method), as well as articles from past issues of the Newsletter of the Theraplay Institute.

The Theraplay Institute offers therapeutic services in the Chicago area to assist parents in building better relationships with their children. Parents come to the Theraplay Institute with varying concerns. Click here for a description of the Family Theraplay process

Programs for Parents

2012 Parenting Series

$25 per person or $20 per person if you register to more than one seminar

Are You Tired of Time-Outs?
Thursday, February 16, 2012 (6-8 pm)
Dafna Lender, MSW, LCSW Certified Theraplay Therapist, Supervisor, and Trainer at The Theraplay Institute
Come learn how to manage your child's difficult behavior the Theraplay way.

Attachment 101
Tuesday, March 20, 2012 (6-8 pm)
Tracy Muklewicz, MS. Ed, LCPC, NCC Therapist at The Theraplay Institute and Legacy Clinical Consultants
If you've found yourself dismissing the subject because "my child is already attached," or, "my child wasn't adopted," come and learn how attachment continues to impact people through the lifespan, and what you can do to strengthen your relationships.

The ABC's of IEP's
Thursday, April 19, 2012 (6-8 pm)
Debra Wysong, Intake Manager and Senior Attorney in the Special Education Clinic at Equip For Equality
*By special arrangement this seminar is free. Registration is still required.*
Do you need help navigating the complicated special education system in schools? Arm yourself with information and resources from an expert, so that you're ready for those IEP meetings to begin.

Engaging Your Child with Autism
Thursday, May 17, 2012 (6-8 pm)
Anita Johanson-Maddox, MA, LCPC, DT, Registered Play Therapist, Certified Theraplay Therapist
Learn fun and unique activities that enhance social interaction and connection between you and your child with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

PARENTING THE Theraplay® WAY:
ATTACHMENT-BASED PARENTING FOR YOUR
ADOPTED/FOSTER CHILD

Saturday, February 4 AND Saturday, February 18, 2012
12:00 – 5:00 p.m. each day (both days required)
$95 or $150 for two, includes light refreshments
(you may bring lunch if you wish)

The Theraplay Institute has been helping parents build better relationships with their children for over 40 years. We understand that adopted and foster children often need a different kind of parenting, and that these parenting skills may not just come naturally to even the best parent. Our experts understand the neurological and developmental issues that might be challenging your child, and they will give you specific ideas and techniques to help you bring joy, fun and laughter back home to your family.

They will share with you what you need to know about attachment and trauma, and how parenting the Theraplay way will address your child’s challenges. You will see the activities being used with other families, and you will practice some of them to give you confidence to try them at home. This program is also appropriate for pre-adoptive parents as well as for extended family members such as grandparents, and aunts and uncles.

The program will address such issues as:

Parenting Children with Trauma/Attachment Difficulties

Dan Hughes, Ph.D.,
Developer of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP)

Saturday, March 10, 2012, 9:00 – 4:00
$95 per person/$150 per couple

Learn how to facilitate the development of a secure attachment with your child from this leading international expert. Dr. Hughes will explain how abnormal developmental attachment impacts your child’s neurological, social, cognitive and behavioral development. He’ll give you three guiding principles for good attachment parenting as well as strategies to deal with day-to-day challenges. This is a very rare and special opportunity for parents who are struggling to parent their adopted or traumatized child.

All parenting programs will be held at The Theraplay Institute.

Obtaining a Referral

If you live in the Chicago area, you can contact us by telephone or e-mail. Our office is in downtown Evanston, just north of Chicago, and accessible by public transportation. When you call, the person answering the phone will obtain some basic information from you. Within 24 hours, our Clinical Coordinator will call you to set up an appointment. If, initially, you only wish to discuss Theraplay and ask questions, we would be pleased to respond! Our Clinical Coordinator can also provide you with local referrals in other parts of the Chicago area.

If you live outside of the Chicago area or live too far from our office, we will attempt to help you locate a therapist trained in Theraplay by using our directory. At this time, the directory lists the names and work phone numbers of therapists who have completed a minimum of the first 26 hours of workshop training and have chosen to be listed on our site. Some therapists in the directory are fully certified by The Theraplay Institute, others are in the process of certification, while still others have not yet applied to be certified. With regards to level of training, we leave the choice up to you. We make the list available as a service to the consumers and other professionals. However, a listing in the directory does not necessarily imply endorsement by the Institute. We recommend that you inquire about the therapists' additional training, university degrees, and state licenses.

1840 Oak Ave., Suite 320, Evanston, IL 60201
847/256-7334 (phone) 847/256-7370 (fax)