Advanced Professional Certificate in Play Therapy
Lesley University's Advanced Professional Certificate in Play Therapy provides focused professional training in therapeutic play modalities for practitioners seeking post-graduate training.
Program Overview
The 12-credit Advanced Professional Certificate in Play Therapy is designed for post-Master's professionals in human services, psychology, special education, expressive therapies, social work, nursing and other relevant fields and for graduate students in mental health counseling programs, expressive therapy programs or their equivalents, who seek additional treatment orientated skills. The certificate program also provides academic curricula for members of the National Play Therapy Association to become Registered Play Therapists and Registered Supervisors.
Lesley University has been one of a small number of recognized play therapy training sites in the country. Play therapy is a therapeutic intervention that encourages children, adults and the elderly to work through unresolved developmental and psychosocial challenges using play as a medium of expression. A theoretical understanding of lifespan development and psychopathology; training in a variety of individual, group and family play therapies; and supervised field experience form the foundation for clinical play therapy practice.
| PROGRAM OF STUDY | CREDITS | |
| Required Courses | 3 |
|
| GEXTH 5001 | Techniques of Play Therapy | 3 |
| OR | ||
| GPSYC 6031 | Counseling Young Children & Adolescents (includes play therapy techniques) |
3 |
| Elective Courses Choice of three courses from the following: |
9 | |
| GEXTH 5010 | Intermodal Expressive Therapies: Principles & Practices of EXTH | 3 |
| GEXTH 5046 | Principles & Practices of Writing as a Therapeutic Modality | 3 |
| GEXTH 5250 | Creative Movement and Dance Therapy: An introduction | 3 |
| GEXTH 6005 | Storytelling in Therapy | 3 |
| GEXTH 6025 | Expressive Therapies with Families | 3 |
| GEXTH 6210 | Music Therapy with Children | 3 |
| GEXTH 6213 | Music Therapy with Families | 3 |
| GEXTH 6254 | Dance Therapy with Children | 3 |
| GEXTH 6300 | Introduction to Psychodrama | 3 |
| GEXTH 6301 | Psychodrama with Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| GEXTH 6353 | Family Art Therapy | 3 |
| GEXTH 6364 | Art Therapy with Children & Adolescents | 3 |
| GPSYC 5007 | Introduction to Family Therapy | 3 |
| GPSYC 6026 | Developmental Psychology Across the Lifespan * | 3 |
| GPSYC 6035 | Psychological Trauma & Post Trauma Therapy | 3 |
| GPSYC 6102 | Child & Adolescent Psychopathology | 3 |
| GPSYC 6015 | Group Dynamics for Counselors and Consultants (child focused section) | 3 |
| GPSYC 6202 | Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy * | 3 |
| GPSYC 6208 | Brief Therapy – Theory and Practice * | 3 |
| GPSYC 6255 | Assessments for Counseling and Psychology: Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| GPSYC 7201 | Psychological Trauma in the Lives of Children & Adolescents | 3 |
| GPSYC 7202 | Special Topics in Trauma Studies * | 3 |
| GPSYC 7004 | Clinical Supervision: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| 3 | ||
| * relevant certification content | ||
| TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED | 12 | |
National Play Therapy Association requirements
While the Play Therapy Certificate meets the academic requirements for certification by the National Play Therapy Association, Lesley University does not assume any responsibility for students who wish to apply for national certification. Students will themselves have to contact the association and begin the application process. In addition, the program does not provide participants with clinical opportunities or clinical supervision, which will need to be fulfilled outside of Lesley, typically in the participant's own clinical employment setting.
Summary of Requirements for National Play Therapy Association Certification and Supervisor Certification:
- A clinical mental health graduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
- Complete three or four courses in Play Therapy
- Complete 3 credits of a class on developing supervision skills (for those who wish to become certified play therapy supervisors*)
The National Association of Play Therapy requires 150 clock hours in graduate play therapy education. The Association credits 1.5 hours for every classroom hour. Post-master's candidates would be eligible to take courses on supervision at Lesley University that would help them with eligibility for becoming certified play therapy supervisors through the National Association of Play Therapy.
The National Association of Play Therapy requires 350-500 hours of play therapy experience with 35-50 hours of supervision. Counseling Psychology and Expressive Therapies students pursuing Master's degrees at Lesley University who are interested in Play Therapy certification can document supervised play therapy hours in their internships. However, Lesley University will not provide the clinical setting or the play therapy supervision for post-masters students. It will be the responsibility of the post-masters student to obtain a clinical site and appropriate supervision.
