What’s your niche? Finding one is definitely my biggest piece of advice for new therapists. You may have come to this page because you are considering making play therapy your niche and want to get specific training or supervision in that area.
(Bookmark it because I have tons of resources for new therapists and specialize in helping people get their play therapy feet wet).
Did you realize that within the field of play therapy, there are also specializations?
Niche 1: Become a Registered Play Therapist
I stand by my recommendation to start with play therapy and take a few courses from different providers to get acclimated to this field. Start by reviewing the credentialing requirements from The Association for Play Therapy and even joining as a member. (Members get cool benefits like a quarterly magazine and a quarterly journal of play therapy research).
The basics of the RPT:
- Specific graduate level coursework
- Mental health degree
- Licensure in your state
- 150 Hours Play Therapy Specific Training
- 500* Play Therapy Specific Hours/50* Hours of Supervision (*less if done by an RPT-S)
Want more information about how to get your RPT? I explained it all in full detail in this video.
The Association for Play Therapy recommends having a diverse background of training and not getting all of your hours in one particular theory or modality.
However, 150 hours is A LOT of training!
My recommendation is to get at least 1/3 of that in a specific theory or intervention.
And there is your niche within a niche.
**Just be sure to double check that the provider is an APPROVED PROVIDER with The Association for Play Therapy (if you want your hours to count towards your RPT). Some trainings on this list may not qualify, but are still good resources to consider.
Specializations Within Play Therapy
If you google any of the following topics, you will surely find several certificate or training programs.
The ones listed here are either ones that I have personally taken and enjoyed or that have been specifically recommended by my colleagues that work in play therapy. (No affiliate links or promotions…just sharing information)
TOP 20 (or so)
PLAY THERAPY NICHE CERTIFICATIONS
ANIMAL ASSISTED THERAPY
Rise Van Fleet: International Institute for Animal Assisted Play Therapy.
This program tops the list of continuing education programs for those who are out of school.
There are several universities that have graduate coursework or certificate programs as well. A good friend of mine completed this one at The University of Tennessee Knoxville.
ATTACHMENT
For those of you interested in using play with children under five, these two programs top my personal bucket list for training that I would like to attend. Both are highly recommended by every play therapist that I have known and incorporate attachment theories, touch and working with parents.
First Play with Dr. Janet Courtney
And, as these children get older, this is recommended too:
AUTISM
A lot of people who specialize in autism are on the BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) track. But did you realize, that you can use play to work with this population as well. This niche is growing and the need for specialized service providers is very high!
Here are two highly recommended programs:
Aut Play
CHILD CENTERED PLAY THERAPY
Having participated in the Intensive Supervision Experience at UNT, I can only imagine how valuable this training is:
University of North Texas CCPT Certification
And, they have a secondary certification in Child Parent Relationship Training.
This one was new to me but recommended by a colleague:
The National Institute for Relationship Enhancement Child Centered Play Therapy Certificate
FILIAL THERAPY
Rise Van Fleet (again) for the most highly recommended training on filial therapy. Again, working with parents and children together through play is an excellent niche market (and a valuable service for families in general).
SAND TRAY
You will find assorted trainings on Sand Tray in your communities. These are intensive programs that will really help you carve your niche in the world of sand.
Barbara Turner Sand Tray Training
SYNERGETIC PLAY THERAPY
Although I am not fully certified, I took the 6 month webinar/consultation course and can personally recommend this one.
Synergetic Play Therapy Training
TRAUMA
No matter what work you do, you will find yourself working with clients who have experienced trauma. Identifying yourself as a trauma-informed clinician is not only good business, but is professionally prudent.
Here are some ways to create a trauma-informed niche practice:
Karyn Purvis’ Trust Based Relational Intervention
Cathy Malchiodi’s Trauma Informed Practice Certificate Programs (also includes Art/Expressive Arts tracks)
Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
Want to learn more about EMDR? Watch this short cartoon that I created to explain how it works. (it’s not as scary as it sounds).
Elina Gil (need we say more?) Starbright Institute
And to become a Certified Trauma Professional, you can go to The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children.
Niche Overload?
Now, that is a lot of training! The hardest part of choosing a niche is often deciding WHAT to do first. The second part is figuring out HOW to pay for it. These trainings seem expensive (meaning over a thousand dollars)
but
the benefits of specializations are definitely worth your investment.
Are you a provider with a play based certification program that you want to add to this list? Leave me a comment and I will add it.
If you found this information helpful, share with a colleague and be sure to subscribe to the blog for professionals for more play therapy tools, tips and tricks. And as a thank you for joining, you will get my free Play Therapy A-Z Toolkit AND the new Ultimate RPT Tracking Guide.
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