Play Therapy Certification

Children often struggle to express themselves in words, especially when they are dealing with trauma, grief or a mental health condition. Play therapy offers a hands-on way for children to process difficult feelings by acting out scenes, using toys and developing characters that mirror their own emotions.

For example, a child who has lost a parent or sibling might use puppets to portray a character who misses a friend and feels sad, while a dolls’ house can help a child who has experienced domestic violence to express what they have witnessed at home. A therapist can guide this play to help resolve a specific issue, or simply observe how the child helps a toy character work through its emotions.

You will learn

• The meaning of play therapy: what it is and what is involved
• The different types of play therapy
• When to use play therapy
• The tools and approaches commonly used in play therapy
• How play therapy works in practice
• The benefits of play therapy for children
• The qualities of a good play therapist

This certification comprises 1 module (0.75 hours of learning), including a quiz.

This course sits within our Care courses collection and pairs well with our wider Mental Health & Wellness courses for anyone supporting children’s emotional wellbeing.