This Certificate in Play Therapy course is intended for trained counsellors who have an interest in working with children.
Play Therapy is the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process in which the therapist uses the therapeutic powers of play to help children prevent or resolve psychosocial challenges. Thereby achieving optimal growth and development.
Generally play therapy is used for children ages 3 to 10. Play provides a way for children to express their experiences and feelings through a natural, self-guided, self-healing process. As children's’ experiences and knowledge are often communicated through play, it becomes an important vehicle for them to know and accept themselves and others.
Play therapy is often used as a tool of diagnosis. A play therapist observes a child playing with toys (play-houses, pets, dolls, etc) to determine the cause of disturbing behaviour. The objects, patterns of play, and the willingness to interact with the therapist can be used to understand the underlying rationale for behavior both inside and outside the session. By the end of the course, the participants will have a greater knowledge of the play, how it develops and how as adults trained therapists they can adopt their model of working with adults to working with children, through play.
The duration of the course is one month in combination with fieldwork. The fieldwork will be the subject of a written assignment.
Participants who successfully satisfy the course objectives are awarded the Association’s Certificate in Play Therapy.
