Play Therapy Training Institute
Mandy Lamberson
Director
Lovinger 2250
Counseling Program Coordinator
Lucy Phillips
Associate Professor
Lovinger 2250
Tel: (660) 543-8204
Breadcrumb
Play Therapy Training Institute
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.
What is Play Therapy?
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.
What is a Registered Play Therapist?
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.
What sets the Play Therapy Training Institute at UCM apart from other universities?
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.
Play Therapy at UCM
Exceptional Play Therapy Education
- The Play Therapy Training Institute is distinguished as a University Approved Center for Play Therapy Education #29 by the Association for Play Therapy (APT).
- UCM's Play Therapy Training Institute offers more play therapy specific coursework than any other University Approved Center for play therapy in the state of Missouri.
- The Play Therapy Training Institute offers two fully-equipped play rooms with capabilities for live observation at the Warrensburg and Lee’s Summit campus.
- UCM’s library and online databases have access to the International Journal for Play Therapy, hundreds of academic journals, full e-books on play therapy, and hours of play therapy training videos.
- The Institute faculty are actively engaged in leadership and scholarship in the field of play therapy.
- The Institute offers faculty advisement and support for your unique professional and educational plan in play therapy.
Student Value and Flexibility
- High Value Cost: By taking UCM’s graduate courses in play therapy, the cost per play therapy education hour is, on average, the same or lower financial cost than accruing play therapy education hours through workshops or conferences. Graduate courses also provide added benefits of interactive learning, critical feedback, high faculty support, and the accumulation of additional graduate hours, which may be applied towards Education Specialist degrees or salary increases.
- Student Financial Aid Plans: 1-hour courses may provide students with increased flexibility and eligibility requirements of financial aid plans.
- 1 or 2-year Course Sequence: Students may choose a course sequence and education plan that fits their needs best. Students are able to complete all 9 graduate hours of the play therapy education program in just 1 year, or for students who prefer to complete courses at a slower pace, a 2-year sequence is also available.
1-Year Track for UCM MS/EdS Counseling Students (seeking a full graduate degree)
1-Year Track for UCM Non-Degree Seeking Students (seeking only Play Therapy courses)
*COUN 6323 Mental Health Issues in Children is not a play therapy course and does not count towards play therapy education hours. This course is helpful for case conceptualization of the presenting problems commonly occurring in play therapy, which is why it is considered part of the education sequence and is encouraged but not required.
**COUN 6561 Supervision in Play Therapy goes beyond the required 150 hours of play therapy instruction required for credentialing as a Registered Play Therapist if taken within the full Play Therapy Training Institute play therapy education sequence. The instruction hours of this course are designed to be applied for credentialing as a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor.
2-Year Track for UCM MS/EdS Counseling Students (seeking a full graduate degree)
2-Year Track for UCM Non-Degree Seeking Students (seeking only Play Therapy courses)
*COUN 6323 Mental Health Issues in Children is not a play therapy course and does not count towards play therapy education hours. This course is helpful for case conceptualization of the presenting problems commonly occurring in play therapy, which is why it is considered part of the education sequence and is encouraged but not required.
**COUN 6561 Supervision in Play Therapy goes beyond the required 150 hours of play therapy instruction required for credentialing as a Registered Play Therapist if taken within the full Play Therapy Training Institute play therapy education sequence. The instruction hours of this course are designed to be applied for credentialing as a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor.
Admissions Criteria
(applicants must meet one of the criteria below):
Currently enrolled in a master’s or higher mental health discipline degree program (clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, social work, psychology, marriage and family therapy, or psychiatry) with successful completion of graduate-level coursework in child development, theories of personality, principles of psychotherapy, multicultural counseling, and ethics.
- OR -
Hold a master’s or higher degree from a mental health discipline program (clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, social work, psychology, marriage and family therapy, or psychiatry) with successful completion of graduate-level coursework in child development, theories of personality, principles of psychotherapy, multicultural counseling, and ethics.
Submit one of the following application forms prior to enrollment:
Full Application Packet for the Play Therapy Education Sequence
- If you intend to take more than one course in the sequence
- If you intend to take the Advanced Practicum course
- Acceptance of application provides ‘Full Acceptance’ status
Preliminary Application Form for the Play Therapy Education Sequence
- If you intend to take only one course in the sequence (Advanced Practicum courses require Full Application)
- If you are in the process of completing the Full Application packet and would like
to request instructor approval to enroll in a course prior to receiving ‘Full Acceptance’
status
- Acceptance of application provides ‘Preliminary Acceptance’ status
Background Checks are required
Click here to download instructions on completing a background check with the Family Care Safety Registry:
Mandy Lamberson holds a master’s degree in Counseling from UCM. She is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Missouri and Texas and a national board-certified counselor. In addition to being director of UCM's Play Therapy Training Institute, she is the clinical coordinator of the Hough Counseling Center at UCM and holds her own private practice. She has been providing counseling services for children, teens, adults and couples for 12 years in various settings, utilizing person-centered cognitive behavioral therapy and play therapy techniques. Her special interests are in anxiety, ADHD and depression.
