At Mighty Minds Therapy, we believe healing happens through connection.

It happens in moments of safety, trust, curiosity, and play. It happens when we understand not only what interventions to use, but why they work. As neuroscience continues to deepen our understanding of the brain, attachment, trauma, and resilience, clinicians have an incredible opportunity to transform the way they help children, adolescents, adults, and families heal.

That vision is exactly what inspired the Neuroscience of Play Therapy Retreat 2027.

Hosted by Alyssa Meyer, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, owner of Mighty Minds Therapy, and Dora Henderson, M.A., LMHC-QS, RPT-S™, RST/CT, founder of A Safe Space Counseling, this immersive retreat will bring together some of the leading voices in neuroscience, play therapy, attachment, trauma treatment, and relationship-based healing.

Centered around this year’s theme—

Connected Minds, Connected Hearts

The Neuroscience of Relationships, Resilience, and the Power of Play

—this retreat invites helping professionals to experience what we teach every day: that healing grows through safe relationships, meaningful connection, and the transformative power of play.

Why Play Matters

What if one of the most powerful tools for healing is something we were all born to do?

Play.

Play is where connection begins.

Play is where trust grows.

Play is where resilience is built.

Play is where relationships heal.

Across every stage of development, play helps individuals explore emotions, strengthen relationships, process difficult experiences, and build resilience. Modern neuroscience continues to validate what play therapists have long understood—play changes the brain by creating opportunities for safety, connection, flexibility, and growth.

As clinicians, when we understand the science behind these experiences, we can become even more intentional in how we foster healing.

Where Neuroscience Meets Play

The Neuroscience of Play Therapy Retreat is designed to bridge research and clinical practice, giving participants practical tools grounded in today’s understanding of the brain and nervous system.

Throughout the retreat, participants will explore topics including:

  • The neuroscience of attachment and belonging
  • Polyvagal Theory and nervous system regulation
  • The healing power of play and relationship
  • EMDR and adaptive information processing through connection
  • Building resilience through co-regulation and safety
  • Sand tray, expressive arts, creativity, and imagination
  • Practical interventions for children, adolescents, adults, and families
  • The role of presence, playfulness, and authentic connection in therapeutic change

Every presentation is designed to help clinicians translate neuroscience into meaningful, relationship-centered clinical practice.

Learn From Leaders in the Field

The retreat features an outstanding lineup of nationally and internationally recognized presenters, including:

  • Dr. Paris Goodyear-Brown
  • Dr. Rachel Altvater
  • Dr. Julia Knach
  • Nidhi Kirpalani
  • Alyssa Meyer
  • Dora Henderson

Additional speakers and innovative voices will also be joining the retreat, creating opportunities to learn from diverse perspectives across neuroscience, trauma treatment, attachment, expressive therapies, and play therapy.

Whether you are an experienced Registered Play Therapist or simply passionate about neuroscience-informed care, you’ll gain valuable knowledge from experts who are shaping the future of the profession.

More Than a Continuing Education Event

Continuing education is important.

Connection is transformative.

The Neuroscience of Play Therapy Retreat was intentionally designed to be more than a conference or workshop. It is an opportunity to slow down, reconnect with your purpose, and experience the same principles of safety, co-regulation, creativity, and relationship that we strive to cultivate with our clients.

Imagine beginning your morning overlooking a peaceful mountain lake.

Learning alongside clinicians who share your passion for helping others heal.

Exploring creative experiences that awaken curiosity and joy.

Walking scenic mountain trails while reflecting on new clinical insights.

Participating in wellness experiences designed to support your own nervous system.

Sharing meaningful conversations with colleagues who quickly become lifelong friends.

Because resilience is not built alone.

It is built through safe relationships.

Through play, connection, and community.

A Beautiful Setting for Growth and Renewal

The retreat will take place in May 2027 at the Lake Junaluska Retreat Center in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

Surrounded by mountain views, peaceful lakeside walking paths, and spaces intentionally designed for reflection and renewal, Lake Junaluska provides the perfect environment to learn, recharge, and connect with fellow helping professionals.

Who Should Attend?

The Neuroscience of Play Therapy Retreat is ideal for:

  • Registered Play Therapists
  • Mental Health Counselors
  • Clinical Social Workers
  • Marriage and Family Therapists
  • Psychologists
  • Child Therapists
  • School Mental Health Professionals
  • Mental Health Supervisors
  • Graduate Students
  • Anyone passionate about neuroscience-informed, relationship-centered healing

Whether your work focuses on children, adolescents, adults, couples, or families, you’ll leave with practical interventions you can immediately integrate into your clinical practice.

Come Experience Connected Minds, Connected Hearts

As therapists and helping professionals, we dedicate our careers to creating spaces where others feel safe, understood, and connected.

This retreat is an invitation to experience that for yourself.

Reconnect with your passion.

Reconnect with your purpose.

Reconnect with your own playful spirit.

Join us in the mountains as we explore how connected minds foster growth, connected hearts create healing, and play opens the door to transformation.

Because healing happens in relationship.

And sometimes the shortest path to the heart is through play.

We hope you’ll join us for the Neuroscience of Play Therapy Retreat 2027.

 

REGISTER HERE –> https://a-safe-space.ce-go.com/neuroscienceofplaytherapy

Therapy Services in Denver and Wheat Ridge

Mighty Minds Therapy provides therapy services for children, teens, adults, and families in Wheat Ridge, Colorado, serving the greater Denver area including Denver, Lakewood, Arvada, and Westminster. Our services include play therapy, teen therapy, EMDR, trauma therapy, parent support, and therapy for helping professionals including nurses, doctors, therapists, and first responders.

Therapy services may help with anxiety, emotional regulation, trauma, behavior challenges, burnout, life transitions, parenting support, and family stress. Our goal is to provide a supportive and evidence-based approach to therapy for children, teens, adults, and families.

Follow Mighty Minds Therapy

For more mental health tips, parenting insights, and information about therapy for children, teens, adults, and helping professionals, you can follow Mighty Minds Therapy on social media.

We regularly share information about play therapy, teen therapy, trauma therapy, EMDR, parenting support, emotional regulation, and mental health resources.

Considering Therapy?

If you are considering therapy for your child, your teen, yourself, or your family, Mighty Minds Therapy offers in-person therapy in Wheat Ridge, Colorado and telehealth services where available. We offer a free 15-minute consultation to help determine if therapy may be a good fit for your needs.

You can learn more about our services or schedule a consultation through our website.