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…
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.
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.
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!
A professional network of support is an important resource for any mental health professional. Connect with fellow members and exchange clinical knowledge.
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!
The Annual APT Conference takes place every October, offering play therapy education to mental health professionals and graduate students from an array of disciplines.
Important changes to the Credentialing program were announced April 1, 2019. You are invited and strongly encouraged to read the Credentialing Announcement. The information contained in this special announcement affects all stakeholders involved in any capacity with the RPT/S credentials. Whether you hold the RPT or RPT-S credential, are a member interested in pursuing the credential, hold an APT Approved Center or Provider designation, or are a University providing play therapy instruction or supervision, these changes affect you.
APT is committed to upholding the integrity of the credentialing program and the field of play therapy. As always you are welcome to contact the APT office with any questions or concerns.
Video Message from CEO Kathy Lebby
Congratulations 2019 Gold Branches!
Congratulations to this year’s Gold Branch Award recipients! Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Georgia-South, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland/District of Columbia, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New England, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and Washington achieved Gold Branch status for 2019.
Branches earn Gold status by meeting the 100-point minimum measured by a number of networking opportunities, play therapy workshops, community outreach activities, and engagement with members. Branches, thank you for your hard work!
Help Your Branch Win A Party
Did you know?
The Membership Campaign is underway! Help your state branch win a “Branch Party” at the 2019 APT conference in Dallas, TX by referring a friend between March 1, 2019 -June 30, 2019. APT will award a $750 food and beverage credit to the branch with the highest professional membership growth (based on a minimum of 15% increase). Plus, earn an entry for one of three special prizes for every new member you refer.
