Play Therapy Training Programs
PATHWAYS
Registration/Certification in Play Therapy
Registration/Certification programs are for therapists with a Masters degree in a mental health field (or who are enrolled in a Masters level program in a mental health field).
RMPTI provides a continuous integrative training experience for professionals interested in becoming registered/certified as a play therapist.
The Purple Stream programs are designed for counselling practitioners currently working with children or who would like to increase their skills working with children. Purple stream programs offer an introduction to therapeutic play skills as applied in a variety of settings. Practitioners may broaden their current knowledge and skills when working with play-based and expressive activities.
To assist in the process of selecting a training program that is right for you, view the video below and visit the different program pages. Each coloured stream offers a unique training option.
RMPTI Training Programs
Note: RMPTI is not a registering body for Play Therapists. Rather, RMPTI provides approved training. For details regarding registration with the three main bodies, see the links below. APT, CAPT and BCPTA alone hold the right to accept or deny any continuing education training at their discretion.
RMPTI offers a Blended Delivery (in-room and on-line) for our Training Programs, allowing students to attend from anywhere in the world. We are Approved Training Providers for three organizations for which we are authorized to provide comprehensive training hours required to obtain your Play Therapy Certification/Registration as a Play Therapist.
Canadian Students attending RMPTI Play Therapy training have three routes to choose from, as they may apply their training towards for Registration/Certification and Continuing Education with CAPT, APT or BCPTA. Students may also apply RMPTI training hours towards Continuing Education with the same organizations. American Students may apply their training towards Registration/Continuing Education with APT.
International Students who attend RMPTI Play Therapy training may be eligible to apply their training towards Registration/ Continuing Education with APT.
All training not used towards Play Therapy Registration at RMPTI is eligible for APT, CAPT and BCPTA Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Many of our programs can also be used towards CEUs with other Play Therapy Associations. Please see our links page for further details on other Associations for which CEUs may be granted. The APT route is shorter in terms of training, supervision, and practice hours, and gains access to a large internationally recognized professional organization.
APT Route
To become a Registered Play Therapist (RPT) with the Association for Play Therapy (APT), one of the requirements is to complete 150 hours of approved training in play therapy. The Green Stream: Foundations of Play Therapy, combined with the Red Stream: Advanced Theory and Techniques provides 150 play therapy training hours. 75 hours of your training must follow in-room face-to-face guidelines (see www.A4pt.com)
APT credentialing standards require participants to complete play therapy training, sequentially, in three phases. In addition, instructional hours, clinical experience and supervision hours must be accrued during these three phases, in a time period of no less than two years (and no more than 10 years). RMPTI has approval to provide our program in 2 program parts and we provide the 3 phase content breakdown for students to submit to APT.
As sequential and integrated programs, the Green and Red Streams programs are conceptualized in three phases; Green Stream – phase 1 (first 5 days); Green Stream – beginning phase 2 (remaining 4 days); Red Stream – ending phase 2 (first 3 days); Red Stream – phase 3 (remaining 6 days).
APT reserves the right to review any/all training hours submitted for registration as a play therapist.
CAPT Route
To become a Certified Play Therapist (CPT) with the Canadian Association of Play Therapy (CAPT), Canadian standards require 180 hours of play therapy training from a CAPT Approved Provider, or from an institute of higher learning. Participants who intend to become Certified Play Therapists should take the Green Stream: Foundations of Play Therapy, Red Stream: Advanced Play Therapy Theory and Techniques and the Yellow Stream: Certificate in Sandplay with Special Populations. These three programs fulfill the 180 hour content in play therapy training requirement with CAPT. Review CAPT website to identify how hours are counted.
CAPT reserves the right to review any/all training hours submitted for registration as a play therapist.
BCPTA Route
To become a British Columbia Registered Play Therapist (BCRPT) with the British Columbia Association of Play Therapy (BCPTA), British Columbia standards require 180 hours of play therapy training from a CAPT or APT Approved Provider. Review the BCPTA website for advise on face-to-face vs. on-line live hours.
International Training Opportunities
RMPTI courses, including online supervision and customized training programs, are available for delivery throughout the world by core certified/ registered play therapy instructors. In many cases, programs are organized as part of a collaborative partnership with a host organization. These programs can be provided at your site. International students are welcome to attend any of the training programs at the RMPTI site which occur regularly throughout the year.
Please click on the training calendar for more details.
Click here to visit teaching site.