WHERE: Gisborne
Stand Tū Māia, 49 Cochrane Street, Elgin
Gisborne 4040, NZ
WHEN:
Thursday 29th Jan/Friday 30 Jan 2026
8.30 am - 4.30 pm
COST:
$287.50 plus GST
Lunch Provided
Sunshine Circles® is an adult-directed, structured play group that incorporates playful, cooperative and nurturing activities that enhance the socioemotional well-being of children. Unlike other play group approaches, Theraplay learning takes place on a non-verbal level. Instead of talking about positive social behaviour, the group leaders and children DO positive social interaction. Positive messages from the group interaction gradually become a part of the child’s internal sense of self.
Sunshine Circles® training is for professionals who want to use Theraplay in classrooms. This two-day training is for people who are wanting to explore how interactive play can be used in the educational context to build stronger relationships.
In this training you will be able to:
• Describe the four dimensions of Theraplay, a modality of play therapy
• Apply Theraplay play principles in a class-wide setting
• Develop Theraplay skills in using the Sunshine Circles® rules and group techniques through practice
• Demonstrate how to adapt the use of Sunshine Circles®, with various populations
• Describe how nurturing and regulating physical connection can assist a child to feel calm and more organized in an education setting.
FACILITATED BY: Dr Petria Thoresen, is a fully certified Theraplay® Practitioner, Supervisor, Theraplay® Trainer and Registered Psychologist with Stand Tū Māia.
Tony Kalauta, is a Registered social worker with a Masters in SW, and is a Foundational Theraplay® Practitioner and Group Foundation Theraplay® Specialist. Tony is the Kahukura Aroha (Intensive family wraparound service) Team leader at Stand Tū Māia including experience implementing Theraplay® parenting workshops.
Stand Tū Māia works with children and families who have experienced multiple adverse events utilising intensive therapeutic social work, family therapy and trauma treatment to build resiliency so that families can reconnect and restore relationships, be safe and build a positive future together.
The Theraplay®Institute website is www.theraplay.org
Any further course enquiries contact: Heneriata.Milner@standtumaia.nz
