1. How do I become credentialed as a play therapist?
There are currently two credentialing options to play therapists in BC: British Columbia Registered Play Therapist (BCRPT) through the British Columbia Play Therapy Association (BCPTA) or Certified Play Therapist (CPT) through the Canadian Association for Play Therapy (CAPT). Credentialing requires completing specific requirements for play therapy training, supervision, and clinical experience. Information regarding credentialing can be obtained by contacting the BCPTA or CAPT:
BCPTA
Email: credentialing@bcplaytherapy.ca
Web Site: https://www.bcplaytherapy.ca/play-therapy-registration/
CAPT
Phone: 519-827-1506
Fax: 519-827-1825
Web Site: www.canadianplaytherapy.com
If you are a member of a college (Social Worker or Psychologist), you could also get credentialing through the Association for Play Therapy (United States) as a Registered Play Therapist (RPT). Their contact information is:
Email: info@a4pt.org
Web Site: https://www.a4pt.org/
2. Where can I find a credentialed Play Therapy Supervisor?
Visit Find a Therapist to locate a supervisor by region.
You can also obtain the names of BC Registered Play Therapist Supervisors (BCRPT-S), Registered Play Therapy Supervisors (RPT-S), or Certified Play Therapist Supervisors (CPT-S) from their respective websites (see above links).
3. How do I find a mental health professional who uses play therapy for my child?
Visit the Find a Therapist or Other Mental Health Professionals directory to locate support near you or online.
4. What is the cancellation policy for BCPTA events?
- CANCELLATION POLICY: To cancel your registration, please send us a cancellation notice via email at info@bcplaytherapy.ca no later than 2 weeks before the start of an event for a full refund less a $25.00 cancellation fee. No refund is issued if you cancel your registration within 2 weeks of the event.
- Please note that all payments received and/or processed on workshop day will be processed at manual registration rates.
- If you have any questions about the workshop, please contact us at info@bcplaytherapy.ca.
Frequently Asked Questions About Credentialing:
1. Do I need a master’s degree in counselling to apply?
Yes, a master’s degree in a mental health field or medicine is required for certification.
2. How many hours of the 180 continuing education credits hours (CEUs) of play therapy specific instruction are required in each area (History, Theories, Techniques, Applications, Research)?
There is no set requirement for each domain. It is expected that most workshop time will be spent learning about theories, techniques, and applications. Three hours of Play Therapy History is an acceptable minimum. An Introduction to and History of Play Therapy course can be obtained here.
There are also requirements for Cultural and Social Diversity. There are two courses in the eLearning Library that can help you obtain these credits: Gathering Our Medicine: Cultural Rituals As Emotional Playgrounds and Beyond Cultural Competency: Helping Play Therapists Practice Cultural Humility & Good Trouble: Moving from Ally to Accomplice in the Playroom.
3. Is there one course that I can take to satisfy the requirements for BCRPT?
There is no one course that satisfies the requirements of education, supervision, and client hours. BCPTA workshops and other workshops from local and non-local providers awarding APT and CAPT credits can be used to fulfill the 180 CE hours of play therapy specific instruction.
4. What is meant by “supervision hours”?
– For detailed information, check out the BCRPT application form:
- “Supervision hours” refers to the time spent with your supervisor, not the time with clients. Counselling (general clinical practice)/play therapy time with clients needs to be supervised at a ratio of 1:10, i.e. one hour of supervision for every 10 hours with clients. The hours spent with clients are indicated in the chart as “supervised clinical practice hours.”
- “Total # of group hours” refers to the time in group supervision (the group needs to have a max. of 6 members, and you can use a maximum of 20 group supervision hours with a credentialed supervisor)
- “Total # of hours” refers to the total number of hours with a supervisor and includes supervision time 1:1 and supervision time in a group with a group meeting the requirements listed above.
– For the verification of hours of clinical practice/supervision of general clinical practice, we have asked for supervisors to fill in the form on the application. This may be challenging for some members if this work was completed some time ago. If you have a signed document verifying these general clinical hours, we may accept it. For the play therapy hours, we need our forms signed, please.