Advances in Play Therapy Research: an Intercultural Dialogue
Hong Kong Shue Yan University welcomes you to a conference event focused on play therapy 25-28 July 2024
Introduction
Play therapy research has come a long way in supporting the value of play therapy for children and their families. A large and continually growing body of evidence shows that play therapy practice really works to help children overcome many challenges, and in diverse contexts. Research also holds the potential to further develop our understanding of why play therapy works, by studying its psychological, neurobiological and interpersonal processes. Advances in digital technology continue to offer new possibilities for play therapy intervention, and what they might bring.
Hong Kong Shue Yan University will hold a conference entitled ‘Advances in Play Therapy Research: an Intercultural Dialogue’ over the period of 26-27th July 2024 (with pre- and post-conference workshops to be held on 25th and 28th July). The aim of this conference is to connect both international and local practitioners and researchers of play therapy, and to share the fruits of their work with one another, and an interested audience of students, professionals and members of the public. It is hoped that the activities may create facilitate future collaboration between practitioners and researchers to continue to develop the field. Hopefully the conference provides an opportunity to find ways in which play therapy can be most relevant and effective in helping children and their families meet the challenges of contemporary society in Hong Kong, China and other places in the world. It is hoped that by creating dialogue between local and international experts around the challenges of culture in play therapy practice, this aim can be realized.
This event has been made possible by a grant from the Research Grants Committee in Hong Kong, under the Inter-Institutional Development Scheme.
Key Dates
25 July 2024
.Pre-Conference Workshops (9.00am – 6.00pm)
26-27 July 2024
Conference day 1 and 2 (9.00am – 6.00pm)
28 July 2024
Post-Conference Workshops (9.00am – 6.00pm)
Conference Themes
To support the aims of the conference, presentations are invited around the following themes:
Theme 1: The evidence for play therapy
This theme addresses the need for evidence for the effectiveness for various forms of play therapy practice (including filial therapy and work with parents and families) in addressing various problems faced by young people and their families. Under this theme, presentations are invited that share results from systematic reviews, or studies of the evidence of play therapy, including randomized control trials, cohort studies and case studies.
Theme 2: The relationship and process of play therapy
This theme includes contributions that further our understanding of the process of play therapy, as well as showcase work with caregivers and families, such as filial therapy. This may include case material and process or process-outcome studies that clarify the progress towards change in play therapy. Studies that explore the therapeutic relationship and interpersonal processes are included within this theme.
Theme 3: Cultural contextualization in play therapy
This theme invites contributions which focus on play therapy practice (involving children as well as caregivers) in cultural context. Presentations which offer the effectiveness of play therapy models with particular cultural groups, or that demonstrate culture-informed intervention, or that suggest adaptations to technique, or highlight the challenges of therapeutic relationships with children and families are all welcomed under this theme.
Theme 4: Advances and digitalization of play therapy practice
Under this theme, contributions are invited which may demonstrate advances in play therapy practice, particularly those that make use of digital technologies for play therapy, or related play-based intervention. Contributions which highlight the novel uses of digital technology, and its influence on outcomes or the interpersonal process are encouraged.
Theme 5: Play therapy education and training in cultural context
Contributions under this theme include those that may enhance play therapy education. This may include experiences and studies focused on aspects of play therapy education and training, or that address the role of culture in play therapy training, as well as digitalization in contemporary training are all invited under this theme.
Theme 6: Resilience and Wellbeing in Children and Families
This theme invites contributions of work that furthers our understanding of resilience and well-being of children, as well as their caregivers and families. Contributions from research and intervention practice that further our understanding of children’s well-being and resilience in cultural context, are encouraged.
Keynote Speakers
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/ProfilePicRay-1.jpg)
Professor Dee Ray
Regents Professor and Elaine Millikan Mathes Professor in Early Childhood Education in the Counseling Program and Co-Director of the Center for Play Therapy at the University of North Texas
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_3048_Facetune_19-09-2021-13-14-39.jpeg)
Professor Sue Bratton
Professor Emerita, University of North Texas, and Director Emerita, UNT Center for Play Therapy
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Dr-Akiko-Ohnogi-1-684x1024.jpg)
Dr Akiko Ohnogi
Co-founder of the Japan Association for Play Therapy (JAPT) and the International Consortium of Play Therapy Associations (IC-PTA)
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Dr-Judi-Parson-682x1024.jpg)
Professor Judi Parson
Associate Professor and Discipline Leader for Play Therapy at Deakin University, Australia, and Honorary Professor at Hong Kong Shue Yan University
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/IMG_6121-768x1024.jpg)
Dr Tom Yuen
Chair of Hong Kong Academy of Play Therapy; Founder of Positive Counselling and Play Therapy
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/thumbnail_Stone-J.-headshot.jpg)
Important Timeline
Event | Date |
Deadline of Abstract (for Presentation) | 2nd Round: 7th July 2024 |
Full Paper Deadline | Paper Submission: 30th July 2024 |
Notification of Presentation Selection | 2nd Round: 8th July 2024 |
Pre- and Post-conference workshops registration deadline* | 30th June 2024 |
Conference registration deadline | 8th July 2024 |
Conference Agenda | 15th July 2024 |
Call for Presentations
Presentation
Abstract Submission
Full Paper Submission
(All papers will be peer reviewed. Only selected papers according to the results of the peer review will be published in Asia Pacific Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy. The peer reviewers will recommend one paper for the best paper award )
Co-organizers
This conference has been made possible by grant from Hong Kong’s Research Grant’s Committee, under the Inter-Institutional Development Scheme (Grant no.: UGC/IIDS15/H04/23)
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/HKSYU-1024x271.png)
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Ruths-lab.png)
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/CIEBPR-10.png)
Hong Kong Shue Yan University
Psychological Lab Studio of Arts and Creativity
Center for Interdisciplinary Evidence-Based Practice and Research
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Play-therapy-lab-logo-10.png)
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GS-3-829x1024.png)
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/277795693_371705538296983_593200067810790734_n-9.jpg)
Play Therapy Research and Practice Lab
Graduate School, Hong Kong Shue Yan University
Asian Professional Counselling and Psychology Association
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/HKAPT-8.png)
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/APPTA-8.png)
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/ATPT-8.png)
Hong Kong Academy of Play Therapy
Australasia-Pacific Play Therapy Association
Association for Taiwan Play Therapy
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Screenshot-2024-06-10-14.03.33.png)
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Untitled.png)
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/PCPT-final-cropped-1.png)
Wuhan University
Capital Normal University
Positive Counselling and Play Therapy
Conference Organizing Committee
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/aPatrick-3-899x1024.jpg)
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/aqRuth-3-811x1024.png)
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Dr-Li.jpeg)
Dr. CONNOLLY, Patrick, Hong Kong Shue Yan University
Dr. ZHOU, De Hui, Hong Kong Shue Yan University
Dr. LI, Wang-on, Hong Kong Shue Yan University
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/photo-for-conference.png)
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/download.jpg)
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Dr.-Fan-Jing-Yi-4.png)
Dr. CHO, Yin Nei, Saint Francis University
Prof. TANG, So-Kum Catherine, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, Vice President (Graduate School), HKSYU
Dr. FAN Jing Yi, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/mmexport1716962879599-4.jpg)
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-30-16.22.01-3.png)
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Joseph-3.jpg)
Prof. WANG, Zhengyan, Professor and Dean for School of Psychology, Capital Normal University.
Dr. CHEUNG, Yim Yen, Hong Kong Shue Yan University
Mr. SING, Chi-Hung, Hong Kong Shue Yan University
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Winnie-3.jpg)
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sandrine-3.jpg)
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Nigel-3.jpg)
Dr. Yuen, Wing-Yan, Hong Kong Shue Yan University
Dr. CHUNG, Man-chi Sandrine, Hong Kong Shue Yan University
Dr. THOMPSON, Nigel, Hong Kong Shue Yan University
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-30-15.16.16-3-893x1024.png)
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Sarah-Hickson-4.png)
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/exif_temp_image-4-3-591x1024.jpg)
Dr. Ya-Ting Juang, University of Taipei
Ms. Sarah Hickson, British Association of Play Therapy
Dr. Chiao-Feng Chung, Community Services Center, Taipei
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Yeung-Yuen-Tung-Katherine-4-680x1024.jpg)
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/isaac01-2-4-683x1024.jpg)
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Chung-Hau-Ching-moon-3-768x1024.jpg)
Ms YEUNG, Yuen Tung, Positive Counselling and Play Therapy
Mr. YU, Chun Yeung, Asian Professional Counselling and Psychology Association
Ms. CHUNG, Hau Ching, Asian Professional Counselling and Psychology Association
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Leung-Wing-Sze-Rachel-3-683x1024.jpg)
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Ho-Tung-Hei-Tobi-3-767x1024.jpg)
![](https://playtherapyconference2024.hksyu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Photo.jpg)
Ms. LEUNG, Wing Sze, Hong Kong Academy of Play Therapy
Ms. HO, Tung Hei, Hong Kong Academy of Play Therapy
Ms Josephine Martin, Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association