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Find a Play Therapist

Find a Play Therapist in your area! Quickly and easily search for play therapy services near you.

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Find Play Therapy Training

Find live or recorded play therapy and supervisor trainings, all offered by APT Approved Providers.

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Information on Credentialing

An APT credential is the best way to demonstrate extensive play therapy knowledge and training.

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Parents Corner

The Parents Corner provides educational information on play therapy for parents and caregivers.

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Association for Play Therapy

The Association for Play Therapy (APT) is a national professional society established in 1982 to foster contact among mental health professionals interested in exploring and, when developmentally appropriate, applying the therapeutic power of play to communicate with and treat clients, particularly children.

What is Play Therapy?

Play Therapy is defined by APT as “the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained Play Therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development."

Play Therapy should only be provided by mental health professionals who have met the required education, licensure, and additional specialized training and supervision specific to Play Therapy. Read more…

Association Programs & Benefits


Membership in the Association for Play Therapy (APT) demonstrates your interest in the field of play therapy! APT is dedicated to the growth and advancement of play therapy, increasing your knowledge, and providing you with networking opportunities and the professional tools you need.

Membership

APT membership demonstrates your interest in the field of play therapy and provides access to the latest play therapy news, research, publications, networking, and professional tools.

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Play Therapy Research

APT encourages play therapy research that demonstrates the value and effectiveness of play therapy, increases play therapy knowledge, and supports evidence-based play therapy practices.

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Publications

APT provides official publications exclusively to its membership, in the form of the International Journal of Play Therapy®, Play Therapy™ Magazine, PlayToday e-newsletter, and more!

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Play Therapy Connection

A professional network of support is an important resource for any mental health professional. Connect with fellow members and exchange clinical knowledge.

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E-Learning Center

Earn valuable non-contact continuing education from various play therapy sources, including APT’s Annual Conference Workshops, the International Journal of Play Therapy®, and more!

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Annual Conference

The Annual APT Conference takes place every October, offering play therapy education to mental health professionals and graduate students from an array of disciplines.

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Foundation for Play Therapy 

Did you know?

The Foundation for Play Therapy was established in 2001 and is dedicated to providing and funding resources that promote play therapy research and increase public awareness. In collaboration with APT, the Foundation is featuring its newest resource for professionals in the medical setting, the Pediatricians Brochure!

Pediatricians Brochure – “Why Play Therapy?”

The newest “Why Play Therapy?” brochure is specifically created as an outreach tool for pediatricians and other professionals in the medical field. The brochure is an excellent resource to generate interdisciplinary partnership amongst pediatricians as it explains symptoms readily treated by play therapists. Visit the APT Store to purchase and share this latest resource!

Support the Foundation for Play Therapy

Your support makes it possible for the Foundation for Play Therapy to continue public awareness campaigns, research, and fund play therapy specific material. As the year ends, APT invites you to continue playing a role in the success of the Foundation by donating $5 or more. Donations of $20 or more will receive a 8” acrylic Dude!

APT Office Closed

The APT Office will be closed Wednesday, December 12th and Thursday, December 13th while the staff attends the California Society of Association Executives conference for professional development. Normal business hours will resume Friday, December 14th.

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