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 licensed clinical mental health professionals with a graduate mental health degree and extensive specialized play therapy education, training and supervised experience. 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.

For clarification about Membership vs. Credentialing, review our info-graphic.

 

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 Forums

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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Association Newsmore

Cultural & Social Diversity FAQs

Understanding and embracing cultural and social diversity (CSD) is essential for professionals committed to providing inclusive and effective care. Clients come from diverse backgrounds, each with unique identities, experiences, and needs. Expanding your cultural competence not only enhances your practice but also helps create a more equitable and supportive environment for all individuals. To support members, the Cultural & Social Diversity FAQs page provides guidance on meeting CSD requirements, selecting relevant training, and integrating diverse perspectives into your professional development.

A big thank you to 2024 Leadership Academy Graduates, Alyssa Cedillo, MA, LPC-S, RPT-S™, IP-CS and Allison Joyal, MS, LPC-Associate, NCC for their contributions to this resource.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Play Therapy

Did you know APT has a free resource on Artificial Intelligence (AI)? As AI continues to evolve, its applications in mental health care are expanding, offering new ways to support both professionals and clients. Ethical Considerations for Incorporating Artificial Intelligence in Play Therapy was created by the Ethics and Practice Guidelines Committee, chaired by Lisa Anderson Mangan, MEd, LCPC, RPT-S. This resource outlines best practices for play therapists to ensure AI is used ethically, effectively, and responsibly.

Important Dates:

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