Training program
The Association for Play Therapy requires documentation of at least 150 hours of play therapy-specific instruction, accrued in a time period of no less than two (2) years and no more than seven (7) years from institutions of higher education or APT Approved Providers to meet the instruction criteria for the RPT™ credential.
PHASE 1
INSTRUCTION
Document 35-55 hours
PHASE 2
INSTRUCTION
Document 55-70 hours
PHASE 3
INSTRUCTION
Document 45-60 hours
upcoming Trainings
Is cultural competence diversity?
Live Webinar OR In-person | NBCC 15 LIVE CREDIT HOURS | 15 LIVE CONTACT APT CREDIT HOURS | November 7-8, 2025 | 8:30AM- 5:30PM
Cadara Parks, LPC-S, Registered Play Therapist, ECMH-E®
Objectives:
1. Discuss what diversity in play therapy looks like.
2. Discuss the meaning of cultural competence in play therapy.
3. Identify the impacts cultural competence has on the therapeutic process for children from diverse cultural backgrounds.
4. Analyze communication styles in play therapy to support cultural competence
5. Describe considerations and best practices regarding intersectionality in children’s experiences.
6. Identify various cultural factors that may influence play therapy treatment
7. Analyze personal biases and assumptions that may impact the therapeutic relationship
8. Identify ways to set up and maintain a safe and open space that supports diversity in the playroom
9. Identify ways to increase the equity of access to services
10. Discuss techniques to promote cultural humility and self-reflection
11. Analyze how to capture cultural opportunities to integrate culture into the therapeutic process
12. Discuss ethical considerations and best practices for working with children and families from diverse cultural backgrounds.
13. Analyze self-care tools to support therapists when working diversity in play therapy.
Counselors: Discover Play Training Institute has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7591. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Discover Play Training Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Social Workers: Discover Play is approved by the Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners (ASBSWE) to offer continuing education to social workers. ASBSWE Provider No. 0785.
APT Approved Provider 24-727
Supporting beyond the Playroom:Guiding Caregivers through Developmentally Appropriate Expectations and Attunement
Webinar Option Now Available!| NBCC 6 LIVE CREDIT HOURS | 6 LIVE CONTACT APT CREDIT HOURS WHEN ATTENDING IN PERSON | December 19, 2025 | 8:30AM- 4:00 PM
Emily Tester, LPC
Objectives:
1. Discuss how to support the relationship between caregiver and child through educating about attunement, co-regulation, and development.
2. Examine the developmental phases/stages to learn how these shape interactions with children to be able to communicate this with caregivers
3. Discuss how to communicate the therapeutic powers of play with caregivers to establish buy-in to the therapeutic process
4. Describe how to effectively structure caregiver involvement and promote progress toward treatment goals.
5. Explore important caregiver tools and how these techniques can best support child’s emotional development.
6. Analyze legal and ethical situations that may arise when working with caregivers of children in play therapy.
Counselors: Discover Play Training Institute has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7591. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Discover Play Training Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Social Workers: Discover Play is approved by the Alabama State Board of Social Work Examiners (ASBSWE) to offer continuing education to social workers. ASBSWE Provider No. 0785.
APT Approved Provider 24-727
May 2024 Cohort Schedule
PHASE 1 INSTRUCTION
May 10-11, 2024
July 12-13, 2024
November 1-2, 2024
PHASE 2 INSTRUCTION
January 10-11, 2025
March 21-22, 2025
May 30-31, 2025
July 18-19, 2025
PHASE 3 INSTRUCTION
November 7-8, 2025
February 20-21, 2026
May 15-16, 2026
June 2025 Cohort Schedule
PHASE 1 INSTRUCTION
June 13-14, 2025
August 15-16, 2025
October 3-4, 2025
PHASE 2 INSTRUCTION
December 5-6, 2025
February 6-7, 2026
April 17-18, 2026
June 12-13, 2026
PHASE 3 INSTRUCTION
October 2-3, 2026
January 15-16, 2027
April 16-17, 2027