TRAINING IN PLAY THERAPY

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Play Therapy Training

Introduction

Courses accredited by the British Association of Play Therapists are post-qualifying and it is usual for trainees to hold a first qualification in either teaching, social work, occupational therapy or other related field and to have extensive experience of working with children. Personal therapy and supervised practice are essential elements of the training.

The courses listed have been accredited by the Association and are therefore recognised by BAPT as providing entitlement to Full membership and a qualification to practise:

• Liverpool Hope University College

• Notre Dame Centre (in association with the University of Strathclyde)

• Roehampton University

• University of York

Liverpool Hope University College

Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy (120 credits) 2 years part time (minimum)
Master of Arts in Play Therapy (additional 60 credits) I year part time (minimum)

This part-time programme aims to equip professionals with a clearly developed framework in which to make informed and effective client centred Play Therapy interventions. The training is rooted in a psychodynamic approach and engages theory through practice. Trainees will encounter a range of modes of learning appropriate to the subject matter being studied; lecture input, participation in seminars, experiential sessions, individual tutorials, child observation, therapy triad practice, small group work and individual / group supervision. Regular weekly supervision of clinical work is a key feature of this programme. Whilst it is possible to complete the course within two years students are normally advised to extend their training by one semester in order to complete the full requirement of supervised clinical practice. The Post Graduate Diploma is validated by the British Association of Play Therapists and graduates may register as Full Members. Recruitment to this programme is biennial in September.

The structure of the Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy and the modules within it aim to:

1. Provide sound Play Therapy training for professionals who work with children and wish to extend their skills into the application of therapy.
2. Equip practitioners with the advanced knowledge, comprehensive experience and in depth self-awareness to be effective as Play Therapists. To ensure that trainees can work confidently, autonomously, sensitively and appropriately with a wide range of referrals, thus demonstrating the ability to work with complex families and unpredictable therapeutic situations.
3. Enhance trainees’ knowledge and critical understanding of selected theories, key issues, concepts and debates within Play Therapy.
4. Develop trainees’ skills in literature searches and critical thought to facilitate advanced scholarship in the discipline.

On completion of the pathway trainees should be able to:

• Practice effectively as a Play Therapist
• Deal with a wide range of referrals
• Manage therapeutic assessments
• Work with short term and long term cases
• Use the dynamic of supervision
• Work creatively, independently and appropriately
• Have in-depth self-awareness and be aware of how to access appropriate support.

The Master of Arts in Play Therapy:

This award will provide a sound basis for research within the field of Play Therapy, ensure ethical research practice, support appropriate research studies and facilitate the appropriate dissemination and publication of results. Students will complete a research skills module, submit a research proposal and carry out a research study related to Play Therapy, supported by specialist supervision. The final submission is in the form of a research paper that could subsequently be published in a journal.

On completion of the pathway trainees should be able to:

• Critically assess the validity of research
• Design and propose a research study of significant scope
• Manage and successfully carry out a research investigation that makes a contribution to the knowledge base of the subject
• Competently write about a specialist area for the purposes of publication in a professional journal

Enquiries:

Award Director: Chris Daniel-McKeigue, email:
Address: Deanery of Sciences and Social Sciences, Liverpool Hope University, Hope Park, Liverpool L16 9JD
Telephone: 0151 291 3439
Fax: 0151 291 3414
Email:
Website: www.hope.ac.uk
Play Therapy Course Info: http://prospectus.hope.ac.uk/postgraduate-2007/stage2.php?Subjects=163

Notre Dame Centre (in association with the University of Strathclyde)

Postgraduate Certificate/Diploma/Masters in Play Therapy

The Notre Dame Centre in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde offer postgraduate training in Play Therapy. The Certificate in Play Therapy skills is a two year part-time course. It is not a qualifying course therefore does not qualify the participant as a Play Therapist. The qualifying course is the Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy which is a three year part-time course. The Masters in Play Therapy is a four year part-time course and can only be undertaken on completion of a qualifying Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy. The courses aim to provide training in the theory and practice of Play Therapy within an educational framework which encourages the highest possible standard of academic achievement and professional practice. Throughout the training an opportunity is provided to study personality development and all the factors which may facilitate or impede emotional growth. Essential elements include observational studies and supervised clinical practice as well as theory, skills and techniques and personal therapy.


Postgraduate Certificate in Play Therapy Skills

The Postgraduate Certificate in Play Therapy Skills is awarded on the successful completion of the following four modules:

1. Child and Adolescent Development.

2. Observational Studies.

3. The Child in Society.

4. Play Therapy Theory and Practice.

Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy (The Qualifying Course)

The Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy which is the qualifying course allowing professionals to practice as Play Therapists is awarded after the successful completion of the following eight modules:-

1. Child and Adolescent Development.

2. Observational Studies.

3. The Child in Society.

4. Play Therapy Theory and Practice.

5. Supervised Play Therapy Practice 1 (100 hours of Clinical Practice)

6. Clinical Theory Process and Practice.

7. Supervised Play Therapy Practice 2 (120 hours of Clinical Practice)

8. Working with Parents/Carers of children who are in Play Therapy

The Masters in Play Therapy

The Masters in Play Therapy is awarded after the successful completion of the above eight modules plus an investigative and/or developmental programme which is equivalent to four modules. Thus the student must successfully complete twelve modules to gain the award of Masters.

The above programmes are open to professionals who already have an initial qualification in the health, social work and education professions. In addition to the above all participants must undergo a specified number of sessions of personal therapy.


Registration

Once you have completed the qualifying Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy and accrued the 220 hours supervised clinical practice throughout the Diploma programme you are eligible for full membership of the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT). Registration of all therapists will become law within the next few years. In preparation for this BAPT is seeking registration with the Health Professionals Council (HPC) which will regulate the Profession of Play Therapy. If you wish to seek registration with the Health Professionals Council you must have accrued at least 340 hours supervised clinical practice. This means in addition to the 220 hours accrued during the Postgraduate Diploma Programme you must undertake a further 120 hours supervised Play Therapy sessions after you have qualified. You will seek your own supervisor and pay for each supervision session. Supervisors must be approved by BAPT.

Enquiries:

Roehampton University

MA in Play Therapy

The MA is offered as a three year part time or eighteen month full time programme. Roehampton’s Play Therapy programme aims to provide a course of study that prepares students for clinical practice within the public and private sector. The programme is made up of seven modules that develop each student’s clinical and academic competencies and personal aptitude required to become a professional Play Therapist in the UK. This training is based upon a Person-Centred perspective and, building on theoretical and experiential learning opportunities, serves to enable students to practice competently with a variety of child mental health difficulties. One of Roehampton’s strengths is its clear and coherent theoretical foundations that influence each of the modules in the programme.

In the first half of the training, students will explore foundations in Play Therapy, developmental psychology, infant observations and clinical skills. In the second part of the training, students will consider the application of Play Therapy onto specific client groups and explore current theories, practice and research surrounding Play Therapy.

Students also undertake modules in Research Methodology and Research Dissertation. These are designed to provide students with a critical understanding of research methodology, and to enable them to plan, design and carry out a research project and write a research dissertation. This offers students the opportunity to pursue independent research and make a contribution to contemporary Play Therapy theory and practice.

All students are required to be in personal therapy throughout the clinical training and conduct various short and medium term supervised Play Therapy placements.

PhD Research

As part of the School of Human and Life Sciences, Play Therapy is part of a thriving research community. Students may continue to PhD level and undertake a very detailed research dissertation.

Enquiries:

Address: Arts & Play Therapies, Roehampton University, Whitelands College, Holybourne Ave, LONDON SW15 3SN
Telephone: 020 8392 5758
Fax: 020 8392 3220
Email:
Website: www.roehampton.ac.uk/pg/pt/index.html

University of York (sites in both York, England and Cork, Ireland)

Postgraduate Diploma in Non-directive Play Therapy: 2 years part time study at York, England and Cork, Ireland
Master of Arts in non-directive Play Therapy: I year part time study
PhD in a Play Therapy-related topic: 3 years’ full time study or 6 years’ part time study


Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy

The University of York’s two year, part-time training programme leading to a postgraduate Diploma aims to provide thorough postgraduate training in non-directive Play Therapy at both academic and clinical levels. The course now is offered both in York, England and Cork, Ireland. Recruitment at the York site is annually for a September start each year and biannually for a September start at the Cork site. Training is within an educational and experiential framework encouraging a high standard of professional practice and academic achievement. It enables trainees to build on their existing professional skills via lecture input, participation in seminars, experiential sessions, individual tutorials, child observation, skills-based therapy practice, and small group work. Excellent individual and group clinical supervision is offered throughout the course and personal therapy for trainees’ own personal growth is required. A particular strength of York's training programme is that close supervision is provided to trainees by the programme's qualified staff, with all staff in current clinical practice themselves. The programme is directed by Dr Virginia Ryan, who has primary teaching and supervision responsibility for the second year, the MA and PhD components of the programme. First year teaching, the majority of second year teaching, and all supervision are carried out by BAPT-qualified non-directive Play Therapists/Supervisors.

The York programme builds on the method of Play Therapy developed from Rogers and Axline (see Wilson, K and Ryan, V (2005) Play Therapy: A Non-directive Approach for Children and Adolescents. 2nd Edition. London: Elsevier Science). Its approach updates non-directive training practice and skills training and places particular emphasis on the following frameworks:

• the developmental aspects of child therapy and child psychopathology;

• child-adult relationships from an attachment perspective; and

• child therapy as part of a systemic, ecological approach to children's problems.

Trainees also study other theoretical and research frameworks and are helped to incorporate them into non-directive practice in a child-centred manner. Professional issues, culture and gender relevant issues and inclusion issues are addressed throughout the training. Please see our website details below for full particulars on our two year modular programme of study.

Completion of the Diploma is recognised by BAPT as the equivalent to a license to practice in the UK and is valid in Ireland also. York and Cork graduates may register as Full Members of BAPT. The Cork programme is endorsed by the Irish Play Therapy Association.

MA programme

Trainees who qualify academically at Diploma level may continue to MA level, for a further year of part-time study. The programme includes research teaching seminars in quantitative and qualitative research methods, 1:1 academic supervision, private study and completion of a 16,000 word dissertation on a Play Therapy-related topic. Ethical research practice, theoretical, case study and research-based topics in the field of Play Therapy, along with the dissemination of results both in practice and in academic settings are emphasised. For further information, and frequently asked questions with our answers, see Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate MA details for the University of York, and our dedicated Play Therapy website listed below.


PhD Research

The Play Therapy PhD study programme is tailored to meet candidates’ individual needs, including part-time study. Candidates are part of the Department of Social Policy and Social Work and its two research institutes. The department has an international reputation on researching children’s well being and social issues related to families. Play Therapy PhD candidates are able to draw on this research expertise, as well as making use of the department’s modern, dedicated research facilities. Candidates also have opportunities to draw on other PhD students’ interests and experiences of research, both in play therapy and in related fields of study. There now is increasing interest, both nationally and internationally, in our PhD opportunities in Play Therapy.

The director of the Play Therapy MA/Diploma programme welcomes informal enquiries as well as formal applications. Informal enquiries may be addressed to:
Dr Virginia Ryan, MA/Diploma in Non-directive Play Therapy Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of York, Heslington, YORK YO10 5DD
Email:
Telephone: 01904 321258

General Enquiries for the Postgraduate Diploma and MA:

Address: MA/Diploma in Non-directive Play Therapy Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of York, Heslington, YORK YO10 5DD
Telephone: 01904 321235
Fax: 01904 321270
Email:
Website: www.york.ac.uk/depts/spsw/pt

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Advance notice of pending course in South West:

The Lila Institute plan to run a one-year Foundation training 'Play and the Creative Arts Therapies' to commence in September 2008, to be validated by a British University at a location in Devon. This course will be a prerequisite for a three year MA in Play Therapy scheduled to begin in September 2009. Note - This course has not yet been accredited by BAPT but an application will be made
Click here for further details


For enquiries contact Di Gammage:





(page updated April 2008)