A 2-day Training in Austin, TX
with optional Retreat Style 3rd Day
All behavior makes sense
except the ones that don’t!
Some children have big, baffling behaviors
that leave even seasoned child therapists confused, overwhelmed, burned-out or referring-out.
This confusion leaves therapists feeling ineffective and parents feeling hopeless.
We can make sense
of even the biggest, most baffling behaviors when we take a brain-based, nervous system based-approach.
This will increase therapist confidence and effectiveness while increasing successful client outcomes.
Understanding what behavior really is
begins the roadmap for treatment planning
Theories of human development and relational neuroscience, including
interpersonal neurobiology (Dan Siegel)
polyvagal theory (Stephen Porges)
the neurosequential model of therapeutics (Bruce Perry)
attachment theory (John Bowlby) …and more
help us make sense of even the most baffling behaviors in our clients.
Therapists (and parents) can stop playing behavior whack-a-mole
and experience better client outcomes
by shifting the focus away from behavior and toward the brain and autonomic nervous system.
This training starts with
a 2-day didactic and playful training
co-led by Rose LaPiere, LPC, ACS, & RPT-S & Robyn Gobbel, MSW
Together, we translate Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors (by Robyn Gobbel) for child and play therapists into therapeutic case conceptualization, treatment planning, and play-based interventions.
Attendees can choose
an optional retreat-style 3rd Day
co-facilitated with special guest Marshall Lyles at The Workshop in Austin, TX
for continued self-exploration and integration of the material
Space is limited to 14 attendees
Attendees will learn:
- To decode behaviors through the lens of the nervous system, increasing treatment planning effectiveness
- A playful paradigm to support therapists, parents, and kids in making sense of even the most baffling baffling behaviors (owls, watchdogs, and possums, oh my! Based on Robyn’s book Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors)
- A brain-based treatment progression based on science from Interpersonal Neurobiology and the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics
- To support state-integration by playfully connecting to our client’s inner communities (parts of self)
- Ways to untangle shame from baffling and even dangerous behaviors through conceptualizing those behaviors as brave protectors working hard to keep the child safe
Hey there! I’m Robyn!
I’m a therapist, educator, trainer, consultant, and now- author!
I’m a little obsessed with studying the relational brain and then teaching everyone who will listen alllllllll about it.
Understanding what’s underneath behavior has changed everything- at work and at home.
I started studying relational neuroscience in 2011, including:
- Hundreds (thousands?!) of hours of reading and personal study
- Mindsight Institute with Dan Siegel, MD
- IPNB Immersion with Bonnie Badenoch, PhD
- In-depth consultation with Bonnie Badenoch PhD and Juliane Taylor Shore LPC-S, LMFT-S of IPNB Austin
and many, many more (1000 hours!) of trainings and study
I previously taught the Science of IPNB in the Foundations of IPNB Post-Grad Certificate program at Portland Community College
and served on the Global Association for IPNB (GAINS) Board of Directors.
Relational Neuroscience is at the heart of everything I do.
Founder & Creator of:
- The Baffling Behavior Trianing Institute
- Being With: Professional Immersion Program- a year-long neuroscience based certificate program for professionals who work with parents
- The Club- a virtual community for parents of kids with big, baffling behaviors
- The Baffling Behavior Show podcast
Author of:
- Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors: Brain-Body-Sensory Strategies that Really Work- my USA Today Best Selling Book for Parents and endorsed by Stephen Porges, PhD and Tina Payne Bryson, PhD
- Chapter on Interpersonal Neurobiology in The Handbook of Complex Trauma and Dissociation in Children (edited by Ana Gomez and Jillian Hosey)
and I’m Rose!
I’m a therapist, educator, trainer, consultant, and author!
I started studying relational neuroscience in 2017, including:
- Mindsight Institute with Dan Siegel, MD
- IPNB Immersion with Bonnie Badenoch, PhD
- Certified Synergetic Play Therapist
- Advanced Practitioner- Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors Course Facilitator
- Ongoing consultation with Marshall Lyles, LPC-S, LMFT-S, and Robyn Gobbel
I’m also a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and EMDR Consultant.
I’m a past-president for the New Jersey Association for Creativity in Counseling
and a former board member of the World Association of Sand Therapy Professionals.
My heart belongs to Relational Neuroscience- it gives me hope!
This work has inspired how I parent my own kiddos- with curiosity and through a lens of connection, regulation, and felt safety. Not perfectly, of course!
My clinical work integrates attachment theory, IPNB, mindfulness, therapeutic powers of play, sand tray, and nature-based approaches.I maintain a private practice in NJ serving children, teens, adults, and families for over 2 decades and the relational neuroscience is how I work with families.
Additionally, I am the
- Co-editor of Nature-Based Play and Expressive Therapies
- Co-author with Lisa Dion, LPC-S of Using Nature to Create Safety for Medical Trauma Integration (book chapter)
- Co-lead of the 2025 Cohort of Being With, professional immersion program with The Baffling Behavior Training Institute
During the 2-day training
attendees will learn play-based interventions that support children’s neurosequential development and brain integration. We will progress through the workshop in a similar way, starting with
- Experiential, here-and-now movement and play interventions for highly dysregulated children
- Symbolic and projective play interventions, including art and sand, to support integration between higher and lower parts of the brain
- Narrative and story-based interventions for ‘strengthening the owl brain’
Robyn & Rose both take an approach that values and integrates parent/caregiver participation in treatment.
All Training Participants Will Receive a Digital Resource Folder
and permission to use all materials with their clients
Retreat Style 3rd Day
is optional!
and will be co-facilitated by special guest Marshall Lyles at The Workshop in Austin, TX
After the two days of CE content, the event will transition to a retreat-style setting. The days activities will be curated at least partially based on the needs and interest of the group and may include various art mediums, clay, sand, and writing.
This highly experiential day will have many opportunities for connection and small group discussion. Attendees will have the felt safety to choose to participate in the way that is best for them, including the option to choose a day with more solitude and connection to themselves.
Please! Come as you are.
No previous artistic experience or familiarity with art, sand, or writing is needed. All humans are creative and your relationship with creativity – even {especially?!} a tenuous one – is welcomed and celebrated at The Workshop.
Space is limited to 14 attendees
ALL THE DETAILS YOU NEED
