Therapeutic Play Skills

Entry requirements

Applicants should have a second class honours degree or equivalent experience or training, such as within the work environment, where the applicant does not have a degree. Have a minimum of two years full time equivalent experience of working with children in some capacity. Applicants should have a work based placement, which may be the applicant's place of work and a PTUK approved Clinical Supervisor member, who must be in place before clinical work starts.

Applicants will also need to evidence their Professional indemnity and public liability insurance cover. All suitable candidates will be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process (either at an introductory day or by telephone).

Months of entry

January, September

Course content

Become a qualified play therapist and help children come to terms with traumatic events in their lives. Through the use of play, you will give children the confidence and opportunity to express themselves during their time with you.

Whether you are looking for a career change, already work in psychological therapy, social work or in medicine and want to add therapeutic play to your existing skill set, or if you are a graduate just starting out in the field and want to refine your knowledge, this professional course, delivered in partnership with the Academy of Play and Child Psychotherapy (APAC), and accredited by the professional body Play Therapy UK, will enable you to work under supervision with individual children who have slight to moderate problems.

Please note that all applications and queries for this course will be dealt with by APAC, and that start dates may differ depending on your location of study. Find out more on the APAC website.

You will undertake 100 hours of clinical practice in either a primary school, special needs school, nursery, primary health care, hospital, care home or adoption and foster care setting, where you will apply your learning in a practical setting.

Our School of Health has a well-established playwork team and over recent years has developed close links with APAC and professional organisations Play Therapy UK and Play Therapy International.