How to Become a Play Therapist

SUNY Oswego Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy.
This program does not lead to credentialing as a play therapist.
This is an educational program only.

Requirements include admission into the program. Minimum qualifications: completed Bachelor’s degree in mental health related field, GPA 3.0 or better, interview and personal statement.

The program consists of five graduate level courses in play therapy; Introduction to Play Therapy, Advanced Play Therapy, Introduction to Expressive Arts Therapy, Clinical Consultation in Play Therapy and Contemporary Topics in Play Therapy.
For more information about this program visit www.oswego.edu/~jmullen or contact Dr. Jodi Mullen jodi.mullen@oswego.edu.

National Institute for Relationship Enhancement (NIRE)
Certification in Play Therapy
This program leads to certification in Child-centered play therapy.
Credential earned: CCPT (Certified Child Centered Play Therapist)
Credential of Supervisor: CCPT-S (Certified Child Centered Play Therapist Supervisor)

Program Requirements: In order to enroll in the program individuals must submit an application, have an earned master’s degree in a helping profession OR be currently matriculated in such a program, and have a 3 credit graduate level course in play therapy (SUNY Oswego Introduction to Play Therapy course, CPS 592, meets this requirement) or the equivalent in workshops.

Parameters of the program: Supervisees submit video taped sessions for review by a supervisor. Supervisees will earn a minimum of 26 hours of clinical supervision. Supervision can be face to face and/or phone. Individual and group supervision formats are allowed.

Fees: There is an application fee (for the most accurate fee see www.nire.org) and fees for supervision that are set by NIRE, but supervisors are able to set fees independently.

Association for Play Therapy (APT)
Certification in Play Therapy
This program leads to certification in play therapy.
Credential earned: RPT (Registered Play Therapist)
Credential of Supervisor: RPT-S (Registered Play Therapist Supervisor)
Program Requirements: In order to enroll in the program individuals must submit an application, have an earned master’s degree in a helping profession, hold a license or certification in said helping profession and have a coursework in play therapy (The play therapy courses offered at SUNY Oswego qualify) or the equivalent in workshops (150 continuing education hours). See the APT web site for further explanation and clarification (www.a4pt.org).

Parameters of the program: Supervisees will earn a minimum number of continuing education hours in play therapy. Clinical supervision is also necessary and can be face to face and/or phone. Individual and group supervision formats are allowed.
Fees: There is an application fee (for the most accurate fee see www.a4pt.org). Fees for supervision are set by supervisors.

**I encourage interested people to seek credentialing through NIRE and APT. The entire NIRE program can be applied to APT credentialing program. In essence, supervisees can pick up the NIRE credential on the way to earning the APT credential. I am credentialed as both a NIRE and APT supervisor. Please feel free to contact me if you need help in negotiating the process. **

-Jodi Mullen