Contact Us | Sign In | Join APT

Find a Play Therapist

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

Learn More

Find Play Therapy Training

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

Learn More

Information on Credentialing

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

Learn More

Parents Corner

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

Learn More

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.

Read More

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.

Read More

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!

Read More

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.

Read More

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!

Read More

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.

Read More
Association Newsmore

APT Office Closed

In observance of Memorial Day, the APT Office will be closed Monday, May 27, 2019. APT will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, May 28, 2019.

APT Conference Pass

Once again APT is offering a Conference Pass for the 36th Annual APT International Conference. The pass includes the registration and workshop fees for all 6 days for only $579! This special discounted pass is for a limited time only and will expire on June 30, 2019.

Don’t wait, register today and SAVE!

APT Member Privacy

Did you know?

You have the option to manage your profile privacy settings. Simply log in to your APT profile, click “Manage Profile” at the top right-hand corner, then “Edit Bio” under “Information & Settings.” By clicking on the lock icon, you choose what information to display on the Find a Play Therapist Directory.

Important Dates:

Play Therapy in the Newsmore
Calendar more

The upcoming calendar is currently empty.

Click here to view past events and photos »