TRAINING IN PLAY THERAPY

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 - NO INTAKE FOR 2008-9 or 2009-10

• Notre Dame Centre, Glasgow (in association with the University of Strathclyde) - THIS COURSE IS STILL RUNNING BUT THERE IS NO INTAKE FOR 2009: SEE BELOW

• Roehampton University

• University of York - NOW CLOSED

NB For those in the Midlands / North of England who are disappointed to learn that the York Course is now closed, DID YOU KNOW that it's only 2 or 3 hours by train to Glasgow and that then it's just 3 stops (10 minutes) by Underground to the training course venue? ...so all is not lost!

There is also the prospect of new training courses being set up very soon in South Wales and the South West of England - these will be seeking BAPT accreditation and will be advertised on this page of the website once fuller details are available

Liverpool Hope University College

NB THIS COURSE IS NOT TAKING NEW STUDENTS FOR 2009. PLEASE CONTACT THE UNIVERSITY DIRECTLY FOR AN UPDATE ON THE COURSE'S FUTURE

Enquiries:

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

The Notre Dame Centre, in conjunction with Strathclyde University has decided to suspend intake for 2009.

In the meantime the Course Committee will be considering the best method of delivering the course for a 2010 intake. Without compromising the core content and ethos of our course, we will consider the options for delivering the training over evenings and weekends. This proposed change is an attempt to reduce barriers to participation highlighted by successive student year groups including those who found themselves reliant on employers releasing them and supporting them through their studies.
The Notre Dame Centre will also be relocating to the building currently used as its adolescent service nearby in Glasgow’s west end. This move is planned for summer 2009.

The course continues to have full validation from BAPT and accreditation from Strathclyde University. Ongoing enquiries and expressions of interest are still welcome and an information event is planned for September/October 09.

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. A module from an optional menu e.g. Group Play Therapy, Methods of Professional Enquiry.

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.
You will seek your own supervisor and pay for each supervision session. Supervisors must be approved by BAPT.

Enquiries:

Roehampton University

Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy

The Diploma is offered as a two 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 nine courses 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 serves to enable students to competently practice 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 courses in the programme.

In the first half of the training, students will explore foundations in Play Therapy, clinical skills and theory and different arts therapies modalities. 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.

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

MA in Play Therapy

Students who have successfully completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy may continue to the Masters programme. The MA programme provides the opportunity for students to research and explore specific or general areas of Play Therapy theory and practice. The Masters consists of two modules:

Introduction to Research Methodology: This course is 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.

Research Dissertation: This course is the culmination of the Master's Programme and offers students the opportunity to pursue independent research and make a contribution to contemporary Play Therapy theory and practice.


PhD Research

As part of the School of Psychology and Therapeutic Studies, Play Therapy is part of a thriving research community. Students may continue to PhD level, undertake a very detailed research dissertation. Roehampton currently has a number of PhD students researching specific areas of Play Therapy; including the clinical effectiveness of Play Therapy, Play Therapy with looked after children etc.

Enquiries:

Advance notice of pending course in South West:

The Lila Institute are currently running a one-year Foundation training 'Play and the Creative Arts Therapies' which commenced 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 March 2009)