The Play Therapy Training Institute at UCM is a University Approved Center for play therapy education, distinguished by the Association for Play Therapy, and offers a 1 or 2-year sequence of fully online and specialized courses specific to play therapy within a CACREP accredited Counselor Education program. The Institute’s comprehensive play therapy education provides all 150 of the play therapy education hours required for application as a Registered Play Therapist/School Based-Registered Play Therapist. Education is offered within a structured approach that matches the 3-phases of learning and integrates all of the play therapy competencies outlined by the Association for Play Therapy (APT). This specialized education in play therapy will provide you with advanced knowledge of the unique application of play therapy in the mental health treatment of children.
Grounded in increasing neurobiological science, play therapy is a research-informed, developmentally sensitive, experiential, and highly effective therapeutic modality for children who present with a wide range of problems and mental health concerns. Facilitated by a trained Registered Play Therapist or School Based-Registered Play Therapist, play therapy is a therapeutic process in which children are provided with a modality that allows them to metaphorically express and play out their problems and feelings. Through the therapeutic powers of play, children are able to feel heard and understood, express their internal world more fully, and discover alternative solutions and new ways of being.
A Registered Play Therapist (RPT) or School Based-Registered Play Therapist (SB-RPT) is a national credential provided by the Association for Play Therapy. Licensed mental health professionals from diverse disciplines (counseling, psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, and psychiatry) may seek the RPT credential. Fully certified school-counselors may seek to become a School Based-RPT. The credential of RPT/SB-RPT distinguishes a professional as a specialist in the field of play therapy and in the mental health treatment of children. Application to become an RPT/SB-RPT requires a master’s degree or higher in a mental health discipline, state licensure or school counselor certification, 150 hours in play therapy education, and 350 hours of direct client contact in play therapy in conjunction with 35 hours of supervision from a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor.
The Play Therapy Training Institute offers 6 courses, totaling 9 graduate hours, which span across a 1 or 2-year learning sequence. These courses provide all 150 play therapy education hours and integrate all of the play therapy competencies outlined by the Association for Play Therapy. Additionally, the Supervision in Play Therapy course provides all of the required play therapy supervisor education hours needed for application to become a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, which can be taken as part of the learning sequence or as a stand-alone course for professionals already holding the RPT/SB-RPT credential.
The Play Therapy Training Institute focuses exclusively on play therapy education and does not offer coursework opportunities for students to acquire the 350 play therapy experience hours. Play therapy experience hours under the supervision of an RPT-S must be sought independently by the student, but experience hours can be completed concurrently with the play therapy courses. The Institute provides faculty advisement each student’s unique professional plan towards credentialing as an RPT/SB-RPT, including support and guidance in obtaining supervised play therapy experience hours.
Spring Semester 1
Choose 1 Course:
Introduction to Play Therapy (Spring or Summer Semester)
OR
Foundations in Play Therapy (Spring Semester)
Fall Semester
Advanced Practicum in Play Therapy
Mental Health Issues in Children
Spring Semester 2
Advanced Practicum in Play Therapy Techniques
Play Therapy and Childhood Trauma
Supervision in Play Therapy
Spring Semester 1
Choose 1 Course:
Introduction to Play Therapy (Spring or Summer Semester)
OR
Foundations in Play Therapy (Spring Semester)
Fall Semester 1
Advanced Practicum in Play Therapy
Spring Semester 2
Play Therapy and Childhood Trauma
AND/OR
Advanced Practicum in Play Therapy Techniques
Fall Semester 2
Mental Health Issues in Children
Spring Semester 3
Advanced Practicum in Play Therapy Techniques
OR
Play Therapy and Childhood Trauma
AND
Supervision in Play Therapy
The Play Therapy Training Institute welcomes current students and alumni of UCM’s Counselor Education programs as well as students and alumni from other graduate mental health programs (counseling, psychology, school counseling, marriage and family therapy, and social work) outside of UCM!
For more information regarding course enrollment, email the Play Therapy Training Institute Director, Dr. Corie Schoeneberg, at schoeneberg@ucmo.edu.
In order to enroll in any of the play therapy courses, you must meet the admissions criteria and apply to the Play Therapy Training Institute.
Students may apply for either 1) Preliminary Status, or 2) Full Acceptance. Preliminary Status is intended for students who intend to take only one course in the education sequence or who would like to enroll in a course prior to completing the Full Application.
To learn more about the application process, please explore the documents below and follow the step-by-step instructions to enroll today!
Dr. Schoeneberg is a Licensed Professional Counselor (MO & VA), Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and a Board-Certified Counselor. She specializes in play therapy and childhood mental health with an emphasis in trauma and attachment problems. She has provided counseling services for children and their families in the public-school system as a school counselor as well as serving clients in private practice, non-profit, and youth home settings as a clinical counselor. Dr. Schoeneberg has contributed to over 15 publications on trauma, play therapy, and creative interventions, and is the co-author of the book Preparing for Trauma Work in Clinical Mental Health: A Workbook to Enhance Self-Awareness and Promote Safe, Competent Practice.
Dr. Schoeneberg is an international and keynote presenter, and provides clinical and play therapy supervision, cross-cultural teaching and play therapy curriculum development, consultation services, and interdisciplinary trainings. With a long history in play therapy leadership and service, she is a Past President of the Missouri Association for Play Therapy, serves as the Chair for the national University Education Committee for Association for Play Therapy (APT), co-authored the first study on the professional play therapy competencies adopted by APT, and was the recipient of APT’s 2020 Emerging Leader Award.
In addition to serving UCM as Director of the Play Therapy Training Institute, Dr. Schoeneberg is the Program Director of the Child and Adolescent Counseling Postgraduate Certificate Program at the International Institute for Postgraduate Education- Ukraine, and Founding President of the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Counseling Branch within the Association for Psychological Counseling and Trauma Therapy- Ukraine.
Corie Schoeneberg
Director
Lovinger 1330
Nancy Forth
Professor
Lovinger 1338
Tel: (660) 543-8093