Play Therapy Fundamentals Training

This course is available 24/7, allowing you to read or listen at your convenience. Complete the course and take a short quiz to receive your certificate immediately. Enjoy one full year of access to the materials.

  • 3 CE hours
  • NBCC Approved
  • NAADAC Approved
  • ASWB ACE Approved
Shape

Mental Health CE Approved by ASWB, NBCC, NAADAC & More

Accepted by most state boards and reportable through CEBroker. Check Board Approvals for details.

NBCC approved CEUs
ASWB CEUs
NAADAC CEUs
CE Broker by Propelus

Course curriculum

    1. About the Course

    2. Copyright Notice for Therapy Trainings™

    1. Definition and history of play therapy

    2. Theoretical foundations and principles

    3. Benefits and applications in various clinical settings

    4. References

    1. Exploring how play facilitates communication, expression, and healing

    2. Key concepts: symbolism, metaphor, and themes in play

    3. How play therapy differs from other therapeutic approaches

    4. References

    1. Overview of directive vs. non-directive play therapy

    2. Introduction to popular play therapy techniques (e.g., sand tray, role-playing, art activities)

    3. When to use specific techniques based on client needs

    4. References

    1. Essential materials and toys for a play therapy room

    2. Creating a safe and inviting therapeutic space

    3. Adapting the environment for different ages and developmental levels

    4. References

    1. Establishing rapport with children through play

    2. Understanding the child’s perspective and creating trust

    3. Techniques for engaging reluctant or resistant clients

    4. References

About this course

  • $45.00
  • 41 lessons
  • 0 hours of video content

Therapy Trainings™ Presents

3 CE Hours of Play Therapy Fundamentals

This text-based course was developed in 2024 for mental health professionals.


Target audience: Mental Health Professionals

Content Level: beginning to expert


Course Overview:

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles, techniques, and applications of play therapy as a therapeutic intervention for children and adolescents. Recognizing play as a vital medium of communication, participants will explore how play therapy facilitates emotional expression, enhances self-awareness, and fosters healing in young clients. The course will cover various theoretical foundations of play therapy, including psychodynamic, humanistic, cognitive-behavioral, and attachment theories, and how these frameworks inform practice.


Course Objectives: 

At the end of the course, you will learn to: 

  • explain the key concepts and theoretical foundations of play therapy;

  • apply the therapeutic power of play in facilitating communication and emotional expression in children;

  • differentiate between non-directive and directive play therapy approaches and when to apply each;

  • utilize essential play therapy techniques and materials suitable for different developmental levels.
    establish and maintain a strong therapeutic relationship with child clients through play;

  • assess and document children's play behaviors, identifying themes and patterns relevant to their emotional and behavioral needs, and

  • incorporate cultural competence in play therapy practices to effectively address diverse client backgrounds.

About the author

Matt Grammer, LPCC-S is the founder of Therapy Trainings™, Kentucky Counseling Center®, and Counseling Now®. He has over a decade of experience as a clinician, private practice operator, and consultant. He holds dual Masters degrees in Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling. KY LPCC-S #164069


Consulting Team

Social Work Consultant is Alicia Trager, LCSW.

Marriage and Family Therapy Consultant is Matt White, LMFT 

Psychology consultant is Brett Donnelly, Psy. D.


Course completion & CE info

Course completion requirements: To earn CE credit, professionals must purchase the course, read/listen to the presentation, and complete the posttest (with a passing score of 80%) and course evaluation. Posttests may be retaken as many times as you need. Certificates of completion will be emailed immediately after course completion and can be accessed from your account anytime.


Therapy Trainings™ is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Kentucky Social Work Board provider #202375, Kentucky MFT Board, and KY LPC Board. 

This course has been approved by Therapy Trainings™, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for 3 CE hours. NAADAC provider #270493. Therapy Trainings™ is responsible for all aspects of its programming.


Therapy Trainings™ has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7439. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Therapy Trainings™ is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.


Therapy Trainings™, #1945, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 12/6/2024 – 12/6/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3 continuing education credits.


State Specific Board Approvals:


Thanks to our national and state accreditations, all of our CE courses are approved by the boards listed below—provided the content is relevant to your profession or unless otherwise noted in the course description.

We regularly monitor state board requirements, but for the most up-to-date and accurate information, please refer to your licensing board’s official website.

The list below reflects the boards that currently recognize our CE credits based on existing state regulations.


Alabama

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

  • Psychology Board

Alaska

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

  • Psychology Board

Arizona

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

  • Psychology Board


Arkansas

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

  • Psychology Board


California

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

Colorado

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board


Connecticut

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

  • Psychology Board

Delaware

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

  • Psychology Board

Florida

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

Georgia

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board


Hawaii

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

Idaho

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

Illinois

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • SW Board


Indiana

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

  • Psychology Board

Iowa

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board


Kansas

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board


Kentucky

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

  • Psychology Board

Louisiana

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board


Maine

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board


Maryland

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

  • Psychology Board

Massachusetts

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

Michigan

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

  • Psychology Board


Minnesota

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

  • Psychology Board

Mississippi

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

Missouri

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

  • Psychology Board


Montana

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

  • Psychology Board

Nebraska

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

  • Psychology Board

Nevada

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board


New Hampshire

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

  • Psychology Board

New Jersey

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

New Mexico

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

North Carolina

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

North Dakota

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • SW Board

  • Psychology Board

Ohio

  • Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board


Oklahoma

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board


Oregon

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

  • Psychology Board

Pennsylvania

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board


Rhode Island

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

  • Psychology Board


South Carolina

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

  • Psychology Board


South Dakota

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

  • Psychology Board

Tennessee

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

  • Psychology Board


Texas

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board


Utah

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

Vermont

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

Virginia

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board


Washington

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

West Virginia

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board

Wisconsin

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board


Wyoming

  • Counseling Board

  • Addiction Counseling Board

  • MFT Board

  • SW Board



System Requirements

Computer or mobile device with an internet connection.


For questions, concerns, or to request special accommodations, please email [email protected]


Frequently Asked Questions
You'll access all courses from your student dashboard in the menu after purchasing the unlimited subscription.
We have state and national approvals from NBCC, ASWB ACE, NAADAC, KY LPC, MFT, and SW Boards.
All on-demand CE courses are text-based and you can progress at your own pace. Once you've read the material, you'll complete a quiz and will receive a certificate of completion immediately.
Find your course and follow a few simple steps. Credit cards and Paypal payments are accepted. You'll gain access immediately.
All on-demand courses. Live CE is excluded.
All trainings published by Therapy Trainings™ are on-demand and available 24/7. You have access to all courses as soon as you enroll.
We're here for you by email and look forward to helping you. Please contact us at [email protected]. Therapy Trainings™ takes pride in making students happy.

All-Access Pass is only $75/year and includes this course.