How to become a Play Therapist

What does a Play Therapist do?

Looking for a job that’s all play? You should become a Play Therapist…

Play Therapists use creative play to communicate with, understand, and help children (usually aged between three and eleven) who are struggling with a range of emotional issues.

It could be that they’re the victim of abuse, neglect, or bereavement, or they have learning or psychological problems. By using anything from drawing, toys, and music to storytelling and clay, Play Therapists are able to help children express themselves in a safe environment.They then look for signs and symbols the child creates, and use their findings to suggest and implement positive changes.

Typical tasks and duties for a Play Therapist include:

Organising regular therapy sessions (either one-on-one or in groups)
Observing children to understand their needs
Choosing the correct type of therapeutic play
Developing a trusting relationship with children
Reviewing and reporting on children’s progress
Communicating findings to parents, carers, teachers, or social workers

Is a career as a Play Therapist right for me?

Aside from a high level of empathy and an ability to communicate well with children, you’ll also need creativity, motivation, and a broad knowledge of child development.

Additionally, you’ll need to be emotionally resilient enough to deal with children who may not want to cooperate and are upset or angry. This involves providing unbiased support both professionally and confidentially.

Other key skills for a Play Therapist include:

Sincerity
Strong observational skills
Excellent listening skills
Imagination
Self-awareness
A trustworthy nature

Explore your opportunities

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Career progression and salary expectations for a Play Therapist

Trainee Play Therapist

| Up to £25,000

Play Therapist

| Up to £40,000

Play Therapy Director

| Up to £60,000

Get qualified as a Play Therapist

A degree and a working background in a relevant field (e.g. social services, teaching, psychotherapy) is essential if you want to become a Play Therapist. You'll also need to complete postgraduate training accredited by Play Therapy UK (PTUK) or the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT). After completing the training, you'll need to register with PTUK or BAPT as a Certified Play Therapist or Registered Play Therapist, and a DBS check is considered a prerequisite.

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What's it like to be a Play Therapist?

"After studying psychology at university, I became fascinated with the different types of therapy, and as child development was something I specialised in – I knew I wanted to take it further. So I did a postgrad in play therapy, and became a fully qualified Play Therapist. My day-to-day is unpredictable – but it’s all about making the kids enjoy themselves through all kinds of therapeutic play. Not only is this a great way to help them relax and have fun, it also means they’re more likely to open up about their problems – even if it’s just through the way they play with a toy. Spotting subtle actions and movements is a key part of being a Play Therapist, so if you need to look twice to notice anything, you’re probably looking at the wrong job…"