Discovering How To Become A Registered Play Therapist

By Martha Anderson


Most often, individuals working in this area of the therapeutic field must have completed a Bachelors, Masters or hold a PhD which includes coursework in five core areas. It should be noted that different licensing organizations like the Association of Play Therapy aka APT and others have different requirements on How To Become A Registered Play Therapist. Although, most all require coursework in the areas of psychopathology, psychotherapy, theories of personality and child development.

Applicants desiring to become therapists in this area must already hold a state license in the field of mental health. When it comes to a SB-RPT School Based Registered Play Therapist, these individuals must be working as a child psychologist or school counselor. In addition, these individuals must hold a certificate from the Department of the Education from the state in which the individual is working at the time.

The first thing which applicants need understand is the meaning of these terms and titles. While all of these individuals work in the area of play therapy, a SB-RPT is a licensed professional who holds a certificate or state license from the Department of Education in the state where the individual works as a school psychologist or counselor. In almost all locations, licensing from a private organization does not replace the requirement of licensing by a state agency.

Individuals which are licensed by a mental health board of a state are not eligible for SB-RPT positions though may be eligible for others. Whereas, a number of associations allow therapists to hold multiple credentials. As such, there may be some therapists which are certified, licensed and qualified to work as a RPT, RPT-S and SB-RPT and in other areas.

While there are specific criteria and requirements, there are benefits to working in this area. In one case, being a therapist in this area often helps relay the knowledge the individual has in the area of play therapy to colleges, universities, schools, children, teachers, parents and associates. Whereas, active registered play therapists also prove the credibility and visibility of the position to the general public and perspective clients.

Applicants must also have specific work based requirements. These include, two thousand direct hours and two years of client contact for those applying for RPT positions and three thousand hours and three years of client contact for becoming a RPT-S. For, these requirements are set by local mental state boards in order to obtain a full clinical license. As a result, anyone working in this area must have completed these requirements to protect oneself and associated agencies from claims of fraud and malpractice.

While these are the basic requirements to become a RPT-S, RPT or SB-RPT, different licensing organizations have others. As such, it is important to review any and all information related to specific organizations. After which, individuals can then submit an application to become registered therapists in this area.

If applying for a position, it is important to provide proof of having met all criteria and requirements such as those related to education and employment. In addition, as different types of proof are required, it is important to inquire as to whether or not the proof being sent is acceptable and approved by the association to which the application is being sent.




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