Course developed by an international team of experts including:

• John Mason -author of best selling book "The Environment of Play (Leisure Press, USA), former play leader trainer for Victorian government and project officer with Playgrounds and Recreation Association of Victoria
• Tracey Jones M.Psych. -psychologist, author, educator for over 3 decades
• Jacinda Cole  B.Sc., M. Psych. - psychologist, author, educator, experienced working with children in hospitals
• Jade Sciacia B. Sc.(Hons) -former playleader and teacher, author and educator for over 2 decades

Lesson Structure

There are 9 lessons in this course:

1. The Foundation for Using Play Therapy
Introduction
Brief History of Play Therapy
What is play -Functional Approach, Structural Approach, Play-Criterion Approach
Play and Cognitive Development
Play and Social Development
Play and Physical Activity
Language Play
Value of play
Play therapy defined
Approaches to Play Therapy - Non directive, directive, integrative
Axline’s Principles
Landreth’s Perspective
The Role of the Play Therapist
Play Therapy and Adults
Scope of play therapy

2. Applications for Play and Play therapy
Therapeutic Play continuum - play, pla-work, therapeutic pla-work, therapeutic play, filial play, play therapy, child psychotherapy
Application of play therapy
Who is play therapy for
Background Information
Choice of toys and materials
Other Techniques
Age Appropriate Choices
Aggressive Toys
Toys to Avoid
Cultural considerations
Creating the right environment
Session Times
Playroom
Advantages
Research in Support of Play Therapy
Issues with play therapy
Problems Arising During Therapy

3. Play Therapy for Anxiety and Depressive Disorders
Anxiety Disorders
Separation Anxiety Disorder
Selective Mutism
Specific Phobias
Other Anxiety Problems
Social Anxiety
School Anxiety
Symptoms
Treatment
Cognitive behaviour Therapy
Limitations of CBT
Medication
Limitations of Medication
Use of Play Therapy
Using play therapy to reduce anxiety in children
Tracking
CBT and play therapy for anxiety
Major depressive disorder
SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder)
Bipolar I & II Disorders
Cyclothymic Disorder
Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Persistent Depressive Disorder
Symptoms
Counselling & Medication treatments
Use of Play Therapy
Play therapy with children and adults with depression

4. Play Therapy for Behavioural Disorders
Conduct Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Conduct Disorder - child onset. adolescent onset
Use of Play Therapy
ADHD - what it is, play therapy application

5. Play Therapy for Developmental Disorders
Cascading Effect
Working with Children with Developmental Disorders
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Difficulties in Social Development and Interactions
Abnormal Communication
Repetitive Behaviour
Intellectual Disability
Physical Disability
Cerebral Palsy
Use of Play Therapy with Cerebral Palsy
Learning Disorders & Use of Play Therapy
Concrete Play Metaphors
Clay Therapy
Colour and Drawing Therapy

6. Play Therapy for Social and Family Problems
Types of Family & Social Problems
Trauma
Abuse and Neglect
Effects of Abuse
Attachment Disorder
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Grief and Loss
Divorce
Death of a parent
Other Factors - Schooling, Location
Use of Play Therapy for Trauma or Abuse
Ball Play, Sculpting and drawing

7. Play Therapy and Adult Populations
Introduction
Play Therapy For Adults
Research Supporting Use of Play Therapy with Adults

8. Related Specialised Creative Therapies
Introduction
Music Therapy
Art Therapy
Drama Therapy
Dance/Movement Therapy (DMT)

9. Play and Rehabilitation
Introduction
Injury and Illness
Disability
Science and Technology

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

• Explain the purpose for using play therapy, potential of what it might achieve, and determine situations where it is appropriate to use it as a therapeutic technique.
• Explain the therapeutic play continuum, applications of play and play therapy, play therapy tools, advantages and issues arising in therapy.
• Explain how play therapy can be used to help children with emotional disturbances such as depression and anxiety disorders.
• Explain how play therapy can be used to help children with behavioural disorders such as conduct disorder, oppositional defiant disorder and problems with anger and impulse control.
• Explain how play therapy can be used to treat developmental disorders such as autism, intellectual disability and learning disorders.
• Determine appropriate uses of play therapy for children suffering from social and family related problems such as grief and loss, crises such as divorce, and trauma-related issues.
• Determine uses of play therapy to assist adult populations with specific emotional and psychological problems which can benefit from play.
• Explain a range of different but closely related therapies including music, art, and drama therapy, and techniques used in these therapies which are incorporated into play therapy.
• Explain how play can be used in occupational therapy and other contexts to help people manage or rehabilitate from physical and mental disabilities, and the role of science and technology.

FREQUENTLY ASLED QUESTIONS

What Qualifications are Required to Work in Play Therapy?

This varies - it depends on the context. Some jobs like playleader, are rarely regulated, but frequently cross over into play therapy. At the other end of the scale you may find hospitals requiring a play therapist to have a university Masters degree, plus specified training and experience in play therapy. This course has been taken by professionals who already work in helping professions as a gap filler in their skills base ; or by others as a starter course to get a fundamental understanding of how play may be used to help people with both physical or psychological issues.  

 The occupation "play therapist" is not regulated legally in the UK, Australia or many other countries, but some international associations do set very high standards to be what they classify as a play therapist. 

How Long Does it take to Train as a Play Therapist?

Some training programs take many years to complete. One international body suggests that apart from formal studies, a play therapist should have at least 450 hours of experience. That experience might be through volunteering, or paid work, or a combination of both. This course can be completed in 100 hrs, over as little as a month; though most students would tend to study over 3 to 12 months and gain work experience as they study. That approach would be a far better way to develop skills to an appropriate level to call yourself a play therapist. 

Why Study Play Therapy?

Like other types of therapy, play therapy helps to reduce or eliminate negative or maladaptive behaviours whilst encouraging the use of positive or adaptive ones. Some of the benefits attributed to play therapy include:

• Improved mood and positive feelings
• Better coping skills
• Enhanced problem solving
• Less internal conflict and stress
• Greater self-awareness
• Increased impulse control
• Appropriate emotional expression
• Improved verbal skills
• Better communication
• Improved social skills
• Increased confidence and self-esteem
• Greater trust of others
• Increased maturity

Study play therapy and learn how to support adults and children and their mental health through play therapy.

What Next?

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Click here to Contact a Psychology Tutor.

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