Where: ED Collabitat, University of Missouri - St. Louis
When: November 21, 2025
Time:
9:00-9:30 Check-In
9:30AM - to 4:30PM
Who Should Attend: Professional Counselors, School Counselors, Social Workers, Psychologists, and Graduate Students
Registration Fees:
- Professionals - $80
- Graduate Students - $40 (Must use current .edu email address)
- *if finances are a barrier, please reach out to emilyoliveira@umsl.edu for sliding scale access.
Continuing Education: Participants may earn up to 6 CEs for attending the conference. Play Therapists can earn 3 APT approved CEUs. The CSAC is an NBCC Approved Provider #3054 and has CE Approved Provider status from the Association for Play Therapy (APT Approved Provider #21-641).
Conference Outline and Session Description:
9:30-12:30
Using Sandtray for Grief Work in Play Therapy with Children and Adults
Dr. Emily Brown, LPC, RPT-STM, NCC
Clients experience both death and nondeath losses and may need grief intervention and support. Sandtray is an effective tool for play therapists to use with clients in grief counseling. Learn about sandtray as a play therapy approach and engage in experiential sand tray activities to acquire tools to provide play therapy for clients navigating these experiences of grief and loss. (Play Therapy Skills and Methods)
After attending this session, participants will be able to:
- Identify common grief and loss experiences among clients that can be addressed through play therapy
- Describe sandtray techniques that can be used with clients for grief support
- Apply play therapy skills to sandtray work with clients experiencing loss
12:30-1:15 LUNCH PROVIDED
1:15-4:15
Let's Talk About IT- Grief and Counseling
Dr. Brie Overton, LPC-S, FT, NCC
This session explores key theories and counseling approaches that inform our understanding of grief and loss. Participants will examine foundational models such as Kübler-Ross’s stages of grief, Worden’s tasks of mourning, and the Dual Process Model, while also considering contemporary perspectives that highlight the uniqueness of each individual’s grieving process. Through discussion and case examples, attendees will gain practical insights into how these theories can guide compassionate, evidence-based support for clients experiencing loss. The session will also address cultural considerations, resilience, and the evolving role of the counselor in helping individuals find meaning and healing after loss.
After attending this session, participants will be able to:
- Demonstrate a clear understanding of foundational grief terminology to enhance communication and assessment in clinical practice
- Identify key grief theories and their clinical implications for practice.
- Identify various factors that influence the grieving process, including cultural, spiritual, gender, and age-related considerations.
- Understand how to assess the most appropriate model(s) to employ with a grieving client.
Cancellation policy: No refunds are available after one week prior to the start of the conference. All refunds are subject to a $15 processing fee. To cancel, email us and include "Cancellation" in the title.
In-Person Safety Procedures: The conference will be held on UMSL's South Campus. We will follow all safety procedures in place that the county and university level at the time of the conference. *This is NOT a virtual conference and there are no virtual attendance options.
Please contact CSAC Grief Services at 314-516-4613 or email us with any questions.
