Breaking the “Naughty Kid” Cycle Using Play Therapy Principles (FPS-CPD) - September 2026

Capability Levels: Evolving, Established

Please note: This workshop series consists of two workshops.

This workshop series explores how professionals working with children and families understand, interpret and respond to behaviour and accountability in practice. Moving beyond traditional behaviour management approaches, participants are supported to critically reflect on their own assumptions about accountability, behaviour and responsibility — and how these shape decision-making following behavioural incidents.

Using an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), strengths-based and play therapy-informed lens, the series reframes accountability as a values-based, developmentally informed process rather than a control-based response. It shifts the focus from behaviour alone to the child’s internal experience, including the development of self-talk and self-concept, and examines how repeated adult responses can unintentionally contribute to shame-based narratives where behaviour becomes tied to identity.

Participants explore how factors such as perceived urgency, systemic pressure and fear of “not doing enough” influence professional responses, often reinforcing reactive or punitive approaches. The series introduces practical ways to hold limits without shaming, separate behaviour from identity and support children’s growth while maintaining meaningful accountability.

Designed for social workers involved in assessment, formulation and professional decision-making, this series provides a clear, integrated framework for understanding persistent behavioural challenges and developing more thoughtful, responsive and effective practice with children and families.

Who should attend?

This workshop series may be of interest to Social Worker’s that are at the intermediate and advanced level.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

• Identify how certain adult responses contribute to shame-based self-talk in children
• Explain how self-concept can drive ongoing behaviour patterns
• Apply ACT-informed thinking to reframe behaviour beyond compliance and defiance
• Use play therapy principles to inform assessment, formulation, and decision making.
• Examine and understand their own assumptions about accountability following challenging behaviour
• Explain how reduced connection contributes to ongoing behavioural difficulties
• Distinguish between accountability-based and shame-based professional responses
• Apply ACT-informed, values-based reasoning to post-incident decision-making
• Use play therapy principles to uphold boundaries while separating behaviour from identity
• Identify professional responses that support responsibility and growth rather than escalation

Event Structure:

First Workshop:

Introduction (15 mins)

Learning Session 1: Understanding Behaviour (40 mins)

Learning Activity: Examining behaviour narratives

Learning Session 2: Patterns in adult-child interaction (30 mins)

Learning Activity: Reflection & pattern recognition

Learning Session 3: Frameworks (40 mins)

Learning Activity: Reflective assessment thinking

Learning Session 4: Play Therapy Lens (70 mins)

Learning Activity: Reframing behaviour relationally & Integration

Q&A and Conclusion (15 mins)

Second Workshop:

Introduction (15 mins)

Learning Session 1: Relational Withdrawal (40 mins)

Learning Activity: Identifying relational erosion

Learning Session 2: Personal disconnection in practice (30 mins)

Learning Activity: Discussion

Learning Session 3: Attachment & ACT concepts (40 mins)

Learning Activity: Case study

Learning Session 4: Rebuilding connection through play (40 mins)

Learning Activity: Case-based reflection and guided application

Learning Activity: Integration (30 mins)

Q&A and Conclusion (15 mins)

This Workshop is not recorded, however, you will have access to materials and resources on AASW Online Learning for 4 weeks after the completion of the workshop.

AASW Credentials: Mental Health (FPS); Clinical SW; Schools SW

FPS Skills Training will be incorporated in this workshop and falls under e. Skills Training, iv. communication training & vi. parent management training of Medicare schedule (https://www9.health.gov.au/mbs/fullDisplay.cfm?type=note&q=MN.7.4&qt=noteID&criteria=MN%2E7%2E4)

In the event of an audit, it is the member’s responsibility to clearly demonstrate how this FPS training is relevant to the delivery of FPS in their specific work context.