This Play Therapy course consists of eight structured lectures, followed by an assessment, each addressing a core area of play-based therapeutic understanding within family counselling contexts.
The course begins with an introduction to Play Therapy in family counselling, outlining its foundations, benefits, and relevance, alongside cultural sensitivity considerations within the UK. Learners then explore child development and play, examining developmental stages, emotional expression through play, and play-based assessment concepts from a theoretical perspective.
Play therapy techniques are introduced conceptually, including sandplay, art-based expression, storytelling, role-play, puppetry, and symbolic play. These methods are examined through theory, observation, and case discussion rather than practical clinical instruction.
Integrating Play Therapy into family counselling focuses on strategies for introducing play-based approaches, balancing play and talk-based methods, and maintaining ethical and professional standards. Learners then explore how Play Therapy principles are applied to specific family challenges such as sibling rivalry, divorce and separation, trauma, and grief.
Cultural and contextual perspectives examine cultural competence, family diversity, and adaptation of play-based approaches to different family structures. Practical skills and techniques are addressed through guided observation, reflective exercises, role-play analysis, and supervised scenario discussion, without live therapeutic delivery.
Assessment and evaluation cover effectiveness monitoring, progress review, documentation principles, and reporting standards. Ethical and legal considerations conclude the course, addressing UK legal requirements, safeguarding awareness, confidentiality, consent, and professional boundaries.
Certification
After successful completion of the Play Therapy in Family Counseling: Strengthening Relationships course, learners receive a free digital certificate from Reed confirming course completion. A provider-issued certificate is also available following verification, with optional premium certificates and academic transcripts available separately.
