On Thursday, March 28th, the Illinois ACEs Response Collaborative hosted a free webinar with Andrea Bushala from the Theraplay Institute. Bushala discussed the role of everyday play in preventing and responding to trauma, as well as how Theraplay has utilized this practice with numerous partners in education, health, and child development.

Theraplay is a form of child and family therapy that works to build and enhance attachment, self-esteem, trust in others, and joyful engagement. In treatment, the Theraplay Practitioner guides a parent and child through playful, fun games; developmentally challenging activities; and tender, nurturing activities. The very act of engaging each other in this way helps the parent regulate the child’s behavior and communicate love, joy, and safety to the child. Using laughter and play, it helps the child feel secure, cared for, connected, and worthy.

Andrea Bushala
Andrea has an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Miami University with an emphasis in child development. She obtained her Master of Social Work degree from Loyola University Chicago with a dual specialization in School Social Work and Children and Families. Andrea previously worked at a community mental health clinic focusing on children and young adults experiencing anxiety and depression. Additionally, she has experience in the public school system providing individual and group therapy for children ages four to six. In her clinical work, Andrea uses a strength-based perspective, incorporating learning from trauma-focused psychotherapy, brain development and attachment theory. Andrea is currently completing a two year post-graduate fellowship in Infant-Partner Mental Health