Play therapy training is an important part of any play therapist’s development. But what do you need to know about play therapy training? What distinguishes one school from another?
Play therapy, or psychotherapy through play, involves the use of play to help children learn about and explore their feelings and relationships to develop healthier behaviour patterns. Play therapists must undergo training to become certified in this form of therapy and follow continuing education courses throughout their careers to keep up with the latest therapeutic methods and strategies. If you’re interested in becoming a play therapist, here are some of the important things you need to know about play therapy training.
What Is Play Therapy?
In a nutshell, play therapy is a type of therapy that allows children to explore emotions, ideas and feelings through dramatic play. Kids are guided through open-ended play so they can work through problems in a safe environment without fear of judgment. A trained professional (usually a counselor) may help guide kids by asking questions or offering suggestions to facilitate discussion.
This approach differs from traditional talk therapy in that it takes into account developmental factors and how children learn. Since play is so spontaneous and expressive, it provides deep insight into what’s going on for a child and his or her response to events. Parents are typically encouraged to stay close by during sessions with toys, art supplies or other creative activities—or watch from another room—to support their kids but not interfere with open communication.
Why Should You Learn Play Therapy?
If you’re new to play therapy, getting started can seem a little daunting. How do you set up a room? What toys do you use? The task of taking care of patients and helping them work through their issues can seem pretty scary on top of that. Fortunately, there are plenty of great ways to learn more about play therapy—and one of those is by taking play therapy training courses and workshops (which is what we’ll talk about here). As with most things in life, self-training will take time and effort; going through formalized training will often save time in the long run, though—so it’s well worth it.
What Does It Take To Become A Play Therapist?
First, it’s important to understand that not every child therapist is a play therapist. Nor is every child psychologist a play psychologist. Many different professionals may work with children therapeutically, from psychologists and social workers (both licensed and unlicensed) to professional counsellors and psychiatrists.
It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. A play therapist must first complete an undergraduate degree in psychology or a related field; then, they must pursue a master’s degree in counselling or clinical psychology. After that, they may be able to pursue either their doctorate (PhD) or a diploma (DPT). Becoming licensed is not required but is often recommended by professional organizations. Each state has its own set of licensing rules. For example, while many states require licensure for practising psychologists, you don’t need it if you’re providing therapy using psychodrama. If becoming licensed is important to you, make sure you check with your state board before pursuing education beyond your undergraduate degree.
Where Can You Study Play Therapy?
Are you a school psychologist looking for an advanced degree? A social worker that wants to explore new avenues of therapy? Play therapy is used in schools and hospitals alike, so why not make play part of your training? Most universities offer at least one online course or online certificate program. Otherwise, several online programs teach you everything from basic principles of play therapy to specific techniques for working with children and families.