Play Therapy Credentialing Process
Becoming a play therapist requires specialized training, credentials and licenses in order to practice professionally. The play therapy credentialing process is designed to ensure that play therapists have the necessary skills and knowledge to work with clients safely and effectively. This article will explore the various play therapy specializations, the education and training required for credentials, as well as any additional qualifications or licenses needed for play therapists. It will also examine potential fees associated with play therapist credentialing and discuss how continuing education requirements can be maintained.
Article Outline
- Overview of play therapy and its specializations
- Education and training required for play therapist credentials
- Types of play therapy credentials available
- Additional qualifications or licenses needed to practice play therapy
- Continuing education requirements for play therapists
- Final thoughts on the play therapy credentialing process
- Take The First Step
Overview of play therapy and its specializations
Play therapy is a type of psychotherapy that uses play as a primary medium of communication to help children, adolescents and adults achieve mental health objectives. It is based on the idea that play is a natural, therapeutic form of expression that can allow individuals to process challenging emotion, learn new skills and gain insight into their thoughts and behavior. Play therapy has many different specializations, such as play-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), play-based family therapy, play- based behavior therapy, play-based trauma focused therapies and more.
Education and training required for play therapist credentials
To become a certified play therapist, individuals must have completed the necessary education and training requirements set forth by their professional play therapy association. These requirements generally include a master’s degree in play therapy or a related field, as well as at least 600 hours of supervised play therapy training. Additionally, play therapists must complete the required continuing education units (CEUs) to remain certified and follow the ethical standards and guidelines for play therapy practice established by their play therapy association.
Types of play therapy credentials available
There are various play therapy credentials available, including Certified Play Therapist (CPT) from the Association for Play Therapy (APT), Registered Play Therapist (RPT) from The National Council for Behavioral Health (NCBH), and Clinical Supervisor Credentialed Play Therapist (CSCPT) from the International Association of Play Therapy (IAPT). Depending on the play therapist’s professional play therapy association, there may also be additional play therapy credentials available.
Additional qualifications or licenses needed to practice play therapy
In addition to play therapist credentialing, play therapists are typically required to have a valid play therapist license, which is issued by the state’s professional play therapy board. The play therapist must meet all of the qualifications set forth by the play therapy board, such as completing all education and training requirements and passing any examinations or assessments necessary for licensure. Many states also require play therapists to hold additional licenses, such as a mental health counselor license or social work license.
Continuing education requirements for play therapists
Play therapists are required to complete continuing education units (CEUs) throughout the duration of their play therapist credentialing and licensure in order to remain current. The play therapy association and play therapy board generally set the standard for the number of CEUs play therapists must complete each year. The play therapist’s play therapy association and play therapy board can provide more information on the type of activities that qualify as CEUs, such as attending play therapy conferences or workshops, completing play therapy-related research projects, or participating in online play therapy courses.
Final thoughts on the play therapy credentialing process
Credentialing and licensure play an important role in play therapy and are essential for play therapists who wish to practice play therapy professionally. It is important for play therapists to understand the play therapy credentialing process, as well as the requirements set forth by their professional play therapy association and play therapy board. Additionally, play therapists should be aware of the continuing education requirements and any additional play therapy credentials or licenses necessary to practice play therapy. By taking the time to understand these credentials, play therapists can ensure that they are providing the highest quality play therapy services for their clients.
Take The First Step
Cross Play Therapy Consulting is dedicated to helping play therapists become and remain certified. They provide a comprehensive play therapy credentialing service that assists play therapists in understanding the play therapy credentialing and licensure process, as well as the requirements for play therapist credentialing and licensure.
Cross Play Therapy Consulting offers play therapists personalized guidance throughout the play therapy credentialing process and provides play therapists with resources to stay up-to-date on play therapist credential requirements. To learn more about how Cross Play Therapy Consulting can help play therapists become and remain certified, contact us today!