Bienvenidos a la Sala!
A space for culture, learning, and connection.
Why La Sala?
La Sala means "the living room."
As a Nuyorican, who grew up in Brooklyn & Queens, la Sala was and still is a safe space where people gather, converse, eat and looked after one another without having to ask.
It is a word that carries significance because it is the one Spanish word I consistently use in my English-speaking household.
So much so that my daughter didn't even know the word Living room until about age 8. 😆
What does La Sala have to do with CE Trainings?
As a social worker for 20 years and a private practice owner for 16 of them, I know what it's like to sit in a training room and not see anyone who looks like you or understands where you come from.
Most continuing education doesn't account for that. You show up, you get your hours, you leave.
La Sala is different!
It's a small room where clinicians from every cultural background can learn from someone who shares their lived experience and build competence alongside people who get where they're coming from.
If that's the kind of professional development many of us have been missing and it has been my desire to curate my newly acquired Suite to provide you with that space!
Come join me at a CE training that will:
make you laugh while you learn
empower you to feel more equipped and confident
rekindle your enthusiasm for your work
uplift your spirt
builds upon your connection & community of support
But, in a smaller, comfortable space with food!
Because let’s face it — we often learn best when we can regulate with:
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Café & Tea
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Something to munch on
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Comfortable Seating
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& Play - of course I will incorporate play, I'm a Registered Play Therapist after all!
And, in case you need more specifics...
Here's what also makes my workshops different?
Small, interactive, and
in-person
These gatherings are not lectures; they are warm, collaborative discussions—akin to a peer consultation group with a meaningful focus.
You’ll walk away having asked questions, heard different perspectives, and practiced being a little vulnerable too (just like we ask our clients to do).
Rooted in Play, Attachment, and Cultural Humility
Truly inclusive and culturally grounded
Support Beyond the Slide Deck
CE Approved
Finally, I'm an approved CE Provider for the following organizations:
* APT * NBCC * ASWB ACE
Yes, many of my workshops are focused on play therapy & they’re not just for child therapists.
If you work with adults, parents, or even other professionals, what you’ll learn here will enhance your practice in practical, empowering ways.
And, that's because play isn’t just for children. It’s a regulation strategy, a rapport-builder, and a human need that we can all benefit from.
As a Latina clinician, I know what it’s like to sit through a workshop and wonder if what I'm learning even fits the people I serve.
That’s why every training I offer includes real, honest discussion about how to adapt what you're learning to different communities, backgrounds, and lived experiences.
Have a “how would this work in my setting?” question? Ask it.
Want to bounce ideas around after the training ends? I leave time after the training for that, too. Plus now I also offer bonus time after our sessions that are meant to help you further process and integrate what you learned into your specific setting.
And now for the next question, are my trainings right for you?
My trainings are not for you if:
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You just want to check off a CE requirement without participating.
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You’re not open to learning through reflection, discussion, or play.
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You are not open to learning about other cultures
My trainings are for you if:
You want to sharpen your clinical skills and feel more effective with clients.
You have a deep curiosity to learn from your peers, not just a presenter.
You’re passionate about ethically serving diverse, complex populations.
You want to reconnect with your why and feel inspired about your work again.
You’re ready to grow—not just as a clinician, but as a human being.
You want to feel less alone in this work, especially if you’re in solo or remote practice.
You want to take a step toward career growth—supervision, leadership, teaching, or niche specialization.
You want to be seen as competent, current, and credible in your field.
Are you ready to turn continuing education into a meaningful experience?
Sign up now for a workshop that feeds your brain, your heart, and your practice and helps you grow and connect with people in your field.
P.S. I forgot to mention I am an approved ACE, APT, and NBCC provider. 😉
Upcoming Events
Multiple Dates12 days to the eventMon, Oct 12Zoom Virtual EventA monthly virtual book club for healthcare, wellness professionals and healers. This book club is designed to help us tackle the self-help and educational books we've accumulated but haven't read.
17 days to the eventSat, Oct 17La SalaCulture shapes whether a parent trusts play therapy before you've even explained what play therapy is. Start building the rapport-building language and toy selection framework you need for families whose cultural backgrounds differ.
45 days to the eventSat, Nov 14Christine M. Valentin, LCSW, LLCThis in-person training is for clinicians who already know the basics of co-regulation and are working with families where the basics don't cut it. We'll talk through what it looks like when a caregiver seems hard to reach, as well as how to protect your energy while remaining engaged.
Previous Workshops
Teaching Parents how to Self-regulate and Co-regulate through Play Therapy
An in-person training designed for child therapists who work in diverse settings and wish to enhance their skills in educating parents/caregivers of elementary school-aged children about dysregulation, self-regulation, and co-regulation.
Parents & Play Therapy: Understanding Cultural Barriers: Our Own Barriers & Strategies to Build Rapport
An in-person training designed for mental health professionals who wish to gain insight into the role that culture plays in play therapy, especially when it comes to concerns and expectations that parents/caregivers may harbor when considering therapy for their child.
History and Play Therapy: Who, What, When, Where, Why and How to Integrate It Into Your Work
An in-person training for mental health professionals who want a better understanding of what play therapy is, how it has evolved, historically significant theories and how to integrate play into the work you do.
