Human Services (HS)

This course provides the theoretical basis for play therapy and is the first course in the Post Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy program. It offers an overview of the essential theories and principles of play therapy, and provides an arena for the direct comparison of the major theoretical models of play therapy and their implications for treatment. In addition, the course teaches the history of play therapy, as required by the Association of Play Therapy for registration as a play therapist. Students learn the role of the play therapist in a variety of settings, the stages of the play therapy relationship, the evolving research that guides play therapy interventions, the basic play therapy skills and the training/supervision guidelines. Foundational to this course is the belief that involvement of family in the treatment of children is imperative, however uniquely family is defined. An experiential component will focus on exposure to basic play therapy skills through observation of local professionals, instructors or videotaped experts performing play therapy. The course develops play therapy practice skills and an understanding of theoretical approaches of play therapy at the level required for eventual registration as a play therapist.

This course provides an understanding of the essential elements and principles of several primary techniques of conducting and evaluating play therapy including filial therapy, family play therapy and group play therapy. An experiential component will focus on play therapy techniques and skill development within the context of ethical and diversity sensitive practice. The content will contain materials to develop play therapy practice skills and an understanding of in depth approaches of play therapy at the level required for eventual registration as a play therapist.

This course provides theoretical and applied skills for the treatment of special populations, including children who have been neglected, physically or sexually abused or otherwise traumatized, as well as children who are trying to cope with parental loss as a result of divorce, death or abandonment. Play Therapy with children who have special physical or developmental needs will also be explored, including children with medical problems, chronic or terminal illness, and/or challenging psychopathology such as autism. The content will contain materials to develop practice skills at the level required for eventual registration as a play therapist.

This course further develops and synthesizes the subject matter in the previous three courses, to prepare students for the challenges of moving into practice. It provides an in-depth review of the advanced elements and principles of play therapy, including the ethical and legal issues of therapy with children and adolescents, attachment issues and disorders of children, children diagnosed with serious mental illness, children and resiliency, play therapy in schools, hospitals, and other host settings, sand tray therapy, and play therapy across the lifespan. The goal of this course is to further prepare play therapists for the special issues that are likely to be confronted in everyday practice, as well as expansion of skills for eventual work as a supervisor. The content will contain materials to develop advanced play therapy practice skills and an understanding of in depth approaches of play therapy at the level required for eventual registration as a play therapist.

This is the final course within the graduate play therapy certificate program. It is an advanced seminar in Play Therapy theory and practice. The goal of this course is to increase each student's effectiveness with and knowledge of play therapy through intensive study of theoretical approaches to play therapy with an emphasis on the dimensions of the process (i.e., the student's understanding of children's behavior and their perceptions of self, the client and the therapeutic play relationship). Students have supervised opportunities to discuss and examine the value conflicts and ethical dilemmas that arise in the practice of play therapy with vulnerable populations. This course reviews the use of play therapy practice strategies, approaches, and collaborative interventions. Students will learn about different methods of practice assessment and evaluation and will be able to select appropriate forms of evaluation for use in their practice. Throughout the seminar, students will have exposure to and/or involvement in mock play therapy sessions, group supervision of a play therapy session, and supervision of play therapy sessions. This will provide students with opportunities to process the clinical experience of play therapy with emphasis on advanced skill development, assessment, treatment planning, intervention and evaluation of practice. In short, this seminar sets the stage for transition from the learning environment to professional practice as a play therapist. Students have the opportunity to practice skills in simulated settings; field settings may be available. Lecture, large group discussion, role playing, group supervision, video demonstration and participation on play therapy session labs are primary methods of instruction.