UNCC Multicultural Play Therapy Center

Planned on joining us for the tea party tomorrow at Amelie's in NODA? Due to the inclement weather, UNC Charlotte and CMS closures, we are postponing the tea party to February 16th at 10:30.... we look forward to celebrating with y'all!

We are so excited for you to join us next Friday and Saturday for our Winter Conference. Registration is still open- closing on January 5th.

Multicultural Play Therapy Center Winter Conference
University of North Carolina Charlotte
January 9-10, 2026


When is the conference? The conference will be from Friday, January 9 - Saturday, January 10, 2026.
January 9: Collaborating with Parents: A Critical Skill to Help Our Children in Play Therapy with Dr. Phyllis Post and Crystal Speaks
Jan 10: Activity Play Therapy: Supporting Tweens and Teens in Child Centered Activity Therapy with Dr. Kristie Opiola and Rakia Hicks

Location: UNC Charlotte from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm (EST) (6 Contact CEs/day).

Who should attend: Professional counselors, school counselors, play therapists, social workers, psychologists, and students. LCMHCs, school counselors, and those seeking RPT/S from APT earn up to 48 CEs for the conference (APT Approved Provider #07-191; NBCC Approved Provider #4208). Special rates for current students and December graduates. We will provide CEs for social workers in North Carolina.

Approved Providers: NBCC Approved Provider #4208 and APT Approved Provider #07-191. The in-person sessions are approved as contact hours by APT.

To see complete descriptions for each presentation and to register, please go to:
https://sites.google.com/charlotte.edu/mcptmid-winterconference/registration

For more information on the conference, please contact Dr. Kristie Opiola, Director of the Multicultural Play Therapy Center and Professor at [email protected]. For information about registration, please contact Dr. Jordan Boyd at jboyd44@

🌍🎉 Happy International Day of Play! 🎉🌍
From all of us at the UNC Charlotte Multicultural Play Therapy Center, we honor and uplift the vital role of play in children's development, healing, and cultural expression.

Play transcends language. It helps children process emotions, explore identity, and build connection—across backgrounds, communities, and experiences. 🎨🧸💬

As a center rooted in culturally responsive care, we are proud to support play that reflects the unique strengths, stories, and resilience of every child.

Today, let’s recommit to protecting the right to play—at home, in schools, and in playrooms across the globe.

✨ "In play, a child always behaves beyond their average age, above their daily behavior. In play, it is as though they were a head taller than themselves."
— Lev Vygotsky. ✨

🎉 The 2025 Play Therapy Conference is Almost Here! 🎉
🗓️ June 20–27, 2025 | Hosted by the Multicultural Play Therapy Center at UNC Charlotte

📣 Register now — registration closes June 17!
Don’t miss your chance to earn up to 48 CEs through a dynamic mix of live webinars and in-person sessions tailored for play therapists and mental health professionals.

✨ Conference Format:
🔹 June 20–22 – Live 3-hour Zoom Webinars (3 Non-Contact CEs per session)
🔹 June 23–27 – In-Person 6-hour Sessions at UNC Charlotte (6 Contact CEs per day)

📬 After registration closes on June 17, you’ll receive an email with detailed instructions for accessing your sessions.

🎓 Who Should Attend:
Professional counselors, school counselors, play therapists, social workers, psychologists, and students.
➡️ Earn CEs toward your RPT/S or LCMHC license renewal — all credits earned count for NC license renewal before June 30!

🏷️ Special rates available for students and May 2025 graduates!

📝 Full conference details and registration link:
🔗 https://sites.google.com/uncc.edu/play-therapy/home

📩 Questions?
Email Dr. Kristie Opiola at [email protected]
For registration info, contact Dr. Jordan Boyd at [email protected]