Growth Through Play Therapy

Karen Pernet, LCSW, RPT-S

A child who does not play is not a child, but the man who doesn’t play has lost forever the child who lived in him and who he will miss terribly. 

—Pablo Neruda

Upcoming Training

Would you like to increase your ability to utilize play therapy and sandtray with your child, adolescent and adult clients?  We offer informative and playful trainings to professionals.

Supervision & Consultation

Providing supervision and consultation is a significant part of Karen’s work and her passion. She will help new therapists find their special voice and for seasoned therapists to hone skills. 

Achieve Success.

Services for Professionals.

Work toward becoming a Registered Play Therapist.

 

Play therapy

Sandtray

Supervision & Consultation

Achieve Success.

Services for Professionals.

Work toward becoming a Register Play Therapist.

 

Play therapy

Filial Therapy

Sandtray

Supervision & Consultation

Play Therapy Trainings for People of All Ages

Play therapy, sandtray therapy and expressive arts trainings for licensed and pre-license professionals and graduate students. The trainings are informative, experiential and playful; trainings are geared to professionals who are interested in learning or honing their play therapy, sandtray and expressive arts skills as well as for personal development. A boutique training organization, we present group trainings, limited to 4 to 6 participants to provide for maximum personalized learning. Growth through Play Therapy also offers zoom trainings and is available for off site presentations. Our trainings are approved for credit by the Association for Play Therapy unless otherwise noted. Karen Pernet LCSW, RPT-S is approved by CAMFT to sponsor continuing education for MFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs in California

Continuing Educational Credits
Growth Through Play Therapy is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, 1032322, to sponsor continuing education for LMFT’S, LCSW’S, LPCC’S AND LEP’S. They maintain responsibility for this program/course and its content.
Growth through Play Therapy is an approved provider for the Association for Play Therapy APT 09-241 ​

CANCELLATION POLICY
For trainings 8 hours or less: Full refund minus a $50 refund if canceled  at least 30 days  in advance. After that date there will be no refund unless space is filled from the waiting list.  In that case, the payment will be refunded minus the administrative fee.  For trainings over 8 hours:  Full refund minus a $75 administrative fee  if canceled at least 45 days in advance.  After 45 days  there will be no refund unless space is filled from the waiting list. In that case, the payment will be refunded minus the administrative fee. 

 If the training is cancelled by Growth through Play Therapy due to insufficient enrollment or other unforeseen event, a full refund will be given unless the participant confirms by e-mail that they are registering for another class. Unfortunately we are unable to reimburse travel expenses, such as airfares or hotels in the event that the training is cancelled.

Sandtray Accessories

Homemade Collage Pins

Karen Pernet, LSCW, RPT-S, SEP

Karen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor & Somatic Experiencing Practitioner. Karen returned to school to obtain her MSW at Bryn Mawr College of Social Work and Social Research in mid-life after a career in child welfare. She is known for her encouraging and down to earth approach and has been described as knowledgeable, supportive and playful.

Karen’s postgraduate education includes certificates in Gestalt Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, and Filial Therapy. From 2006 to 2021 she was a certified Filial Therapy trainer with the Family Enhancement and Play Therapy Center.  She has provided professional trainings and supervision since 2000. Additionally she has had intensive training in Child Centered Play Therapy, sandtray therapy, Gestalt play therapy, trauma informed therapy, interpersonal neurobiology and Internal Family Systems.

Sandtray Therapy

On one hand, a box, sand and miniatures—how can that create an in depth experience? On the other hand a three dimensional experience arising from our deeper selves emerges, no matter our age.  Sandtray is magical!

Psychotherapy for Adults


Whatever the form therapy takes, it is the power of a caring relationship, gently sprinkled with humor, that is the essential ingredient of healing and personal growth. Adults can benefit and heal using therapeutic modalities involving playful and experiential activities as well as conversation

Supervison &

Consultation.

Providing supervision and consultation is a significant part of Karen’s work and her passion. It is important that she creates a safe atmosphere for new therapists to develop their individual voice and for seasoned therapists to continue to develop skills. The work is always challenging and finding a  supportive space feeds us.

Enhance your play therapy skills!

5 + 5 =

Karen Pernet LCSW, RPT-S

Oakland, CA 94602
510-923-0520
karen@growththroughplaytherapy.com

I would be glad to hear from you and to share information about my services: psychotherapy, general supervision for pre-licensed therapist, specialized supervision for therapists working becoming  Registered Play Therapists, consultations for experienced therapists and trainings in play therapy and sandtray therapy.