Play Therapy training

36 BCPTA CEs + 6 hours of group supervision

This six-month, 36 credit hour, course will give you the basics you need to begin using play with children.  The course will consist of instruction, practice, discussion, experiential activities and supervision.

You will learn:

- basic skills to use with children

- the influence of the nervous system in counselling children

- about your nervous system

- how to use neuro-informed practices with play

- about directive and non-directive approaches

- how to use sand, art and other media as expression

- working with parents

- and much more.

This training will count toward credentialing as a BC registered play therapist (BCRPT) with the British Columbia Play Therapy Association.

One module will be presented per month along with one group supervision session per month.

When: The 2nd Friday of each month: Sept. 12, Oct. 10, Nov. 14, Dec. 12, Jan. 9, 2026, Feb. 13, 2026

Time: 9am - 4:30 PM Pacific Time

Where: Online

Price: $1500.00 inclusive of GST

Supervision dates: The last Friday of each month starting Sept. 26, 2025. Time TBD.

Who should take this course: This course is designed for new or seasoned clinicians who are wanting to work with children using play therapy basics.

 Module 1 - History and an Overview of Play Therapy

1.  Learn the history of play therapy

2.  Gain an understanding of children’s neuro-development development as well 

as cognitive, emotional and behaviour development

3.  Be able to assess emotional age based on: 

          a. Themes in play therapy

          b.  Types of play

4. Identify emotional age vs chronological age

5.  Explore directive and non-directive play therapy and understand the difference and when each can be used

6.  Explore different theoretical orientations in play therapy, i.e. Adlerian, Rogerian, Interpersonal Neurobiology, Gestalt, Attachment-based, CBT, Jungian

Module 2 - The Basics

1.   Explore and be able to identify themes in play and developmentally appropriate play

2.   Learn how to set realistic and specific goals in play therapy

3.   Gain competency in using micro-skills with children

4.   Understand the importance of the metaphor in PT.

5.   Understand the need for limit setting and how it is viewed in different theoretical orientations

6.   Learn and practice different types of reflections

Module 3 - The Nervous System

1.    Understand the triune brain and its development using the brain in the palm of your hand

2.    Gain a basic understanding of Polyvagal ladder and the nervous system states 

3.    Understand the role of the nervous system in PT.

4.    Understand the role of the mirror neuron system in PT. 

5.    Be able to being to recognize transference and countertransference in PT.

6.    Begin to learn about their own nervous systems 

7.    Learn about regulation and co-regulation and its application to PT

Module 4 - Expressive Therapies

1.    Explore different expressive therapies and become familiar with them

2.    Explore and discover the use Sand play

          a.  Sand

          b.  Figurines

          c.  Choosing

          d.  Witnessing

          e.  Building

3.    Explore and discover the use Art

          a. Plasticity Continuum

          b. Supplies

          c. Assessing Development

          d. Art As Exploration

          e. Closing Art

4.   Explore other expressive modalities

5.   Understand how to use board games in play sessions

Module 5 - Culture, Diversity and Inclusion

1.   Understand the importance of cultural humility and diversity in play therapy.

2.   Learn how culture and identity shape a child’s experience in therapy.

          • Explore practical ways to make play therapy, including sand tray, inclusive and  

            culturally responsive.

3.   Explore cultural  considerations in PT such as toy selection

4.   Explore neurodiversity and ableism in PT and having a multi-sensory space

5.   Learn about challenges in PT

          a.  When play is not progressing

          b. At risk play

          c.  Aggression

          d. Disengagement

          e. Selective mutism

          f.  Flooding

6..  Gain some insight of childhood trauma and how it shows up in the playroom

          • Assessing for trauma

Module 6 - The Practical Stuff

1.   Explore having parents in the playroom

2.   Learn about the role of parents in the therapeutic process

3.   Learn how to set realistic goals in play therapy

4.   Learn about the intake process

5.   Gain an understanding of the administrative side of PT 

          a. Note taking

          b. Intake form

          c.  Consent forms

          d. Confidentiality

          e.  Talking to parents about play therapy

               • Help parents talk to their children about play therapy

6.    Learn when children’s work is done and therapy can end

7.    Begin to understand burn out and how to prevent it and the importance of

        self-care.