VSOF NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2024
—– VSOF Conference, online and in person, June 27 through 29, 2025 ——
—— Oaklander Model Zoom Consult Group——
—— Certification in the Oaklander Model —– —
Announcing the
2025 Violet Solomon Oaklander Foundation Conference
June 27 to 29, 2025
IN PERSON AND ONLINE
In person in Carpinteria, CA
and likely other locations around the world TBA
Videos of presentations available to participants after the conference
The Violet Solomon Oaklander Board is excited to announce our biannual conference. The 2025 VSOF Conference theme is: Building Relationships with the Oaklander Approach. Violet Oaklander’s approach to Gestalt Play Therapy was always rooted in relationships: “Without at least the thread of relationship,” she stated, “nothing much can happen.” In this conference we will be exploring the many kinds and levels of relationships that are facilitated using the Oaklander approach:
- How does the Oaklander approach help us establish and develop a relationship with a particular child, a family or group, a specific population, or even a culture different than our own?
- What is it about the Oaklander approach that facilitates relationships and allows such connection and contact to be established and developed?
- How does the Oaklander approach allow those we work with to develop a better relationship within themselves?
How to Attend
This year’s conference will take place both online and in-person. Participants can register to attend online only or to attend both online and in-person. No refunds are available if registrants cancel, however access to the video recordings of the conference will be available.
Conference registration can be completed at this link.
Online Conference Presentations
The online portion of the conference, using Zoom, will be held on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, June 27th, 28th, and 29th 2025, from 6 AM to 1:30 PM PDT. Online conference fees are $200 USD and $100 USD for students. Each online presentation will include theoretical information, practical tips, and first-hand experiences pertaining to the Oaklander approach of psychotherapy for children and adolescents. Participants in all time zones around the world may attend presentations, and/or view recordings after the conference. Participants will have the opportunity to enhance and expand their knowledge, understanding, and skill regarding the Oaklander approach, as well as contribute to this bi-annual fund raiser for the VSOF Scholarship Fund, thus helping people around the world get training in the Oaklander approach. Each presentation will be in English with a possibility of other language options. Please contact vsofcertification@gmail.com with any language request and we will try to accommodate.
In Person Conference Events
The in-person conference events will be held in Carpinteria, California starting Thursday evening June 26th with a welcome dinner and continuing each afternoon when the online sessions have concluded. In person conference fees are $125 USD. There is no housing available at the event site, so participants will need to find their own housing in the area. Local housing options will be included here soon. Please find below the theme and outline of the in person conference events:
In Person Conference Theme: Expanding Sand Tray Work using the Oaklander Approach
Thursday, June 26
Welcome dinner (pay your own way, 6:00pm, Location to be announced)
Friday, June 27, after online sessions
2:00pm – 6:00pm – Sandtray working session (snacks and drinks provided)
6:00pm – Dinner provided by VSOF at Carpinteria Women’s Club
Saturday, June 28, after online sessions
2:00pm – 6:00pm – Sandtray working session at the beach
6:00pm – Dinner provided by VSOF at the beach
Sunday, June 29, after online sessions
2:00pm – 4:00pm – Closure activities and drawings
Continuing Education Credits
The Online Conference meets the qualifications for 17.5 hours of continuing education for LMFT’s and LCSW’s as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and 17.5 hours of continuing education towards certification from the Violet Solomon Oaklander Foundation (VSOF). The In-Person Conference meets the qualifications for 6 hours of continuing education for LMFT’s and LCSW’s as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences and 6 hours of continuing education towards certification from the Violet Solomon Oaklander Foundation (VSOF).
The Violet Solomon Oaklander Foundation (CAMFT Provider #141473) is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs and LEPs. VSOF maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.
The In-Person Conference is approved by APT Approved Provider 21-640 for 7 contact hours of continuing education for the Association for Play Therapists. Play therapy credit may not be awarded to non-mental health professionals.
Oaklander Model Zoom Consult Group
The monthly Oaklander Consult Group came into existence with the support of Karen Fried. After finishing my training in the Oaklander method, I wanted to meet with other clinicians who had been trained in this model so we could support each other as we practiced integrating what we learned into our practices. No such group existed so Karen encouraged me to start one and I did. Thank you Karen. We have an Oaklander Consult Group that meets monthly for 90 minutes via Zoom. I am the facilitator but it is an egalitarian forum. We have participants from across the globe USA, Kenya, Nepal, Georgia and England to name a few. Clinicians bring questions and cases. Sometimes we participate in exercises and discuss them. Other times, we may unpack specific topics in our work such as working with children with ASD or children caught in contentious marriages or divorces. I am grateful to all the people I have met and all I have learned from them over the past two years. My heart fills when I stop and reflect on the fact that Violet’s work has been so globally impactful and there now exists devoted clinicians healing children and adults across the globe because of the efforts of so many to keep her teachings alive. If you are interested in joining, we meet the second Sunday of every month at 8am Pacific Time. You can email me (Susan) at susandorntherapy@gmail.com to get on the mailing list.
Susan Dorn
Karen Fried
Certification in the Oaklander Model
Rugile Ridzeviciute
Training participants around the world can get certified in the Oaklander Model. Rugile Ridzeviciute of Lithuania is an active foundation member and serves as the foundation’s support person for applicants pursuing certification. Rugile guides applicants through the certification process and provides all necessary resources to applicants
Here are the VSOF requirements for certification.
- 70 Training Hours – with a VSOF-approved trainer. These 70 hours may be completed online.
- 10 Supervision Hours – with a VSOF-approved supervisor We have supervisors fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, Lithuanian, Russian, Hindi, Tamil, Bulgarian, Portuguese, Polich and SInhala.
- Written exam provided by VSOF
- Written case study showing successful use of the Oaklander Model
VSOF trainings meet the qualifications for continuing education for LMFT’s and LCSW’s who reside in California as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences.
VSOF Virtual Trainings meet the qualifications for contact hours of continuing education via live webinar for the Association for Play Therapists. VSOF In-Person Trainings meet the qualifications for contact hours of continuing education for the Association for Play Therapists. Play therapy credit may not be awarded to non-mental health professionals. APT Approved Provider 21-640.
VSOF trainings meet the qualifications for continuing education towards certification from the Violet Solomon Oaklander Foundation (VSOF).
For more details, please contact our certification administration Rugile and her team by email at VSOFcertification@gmail.com
