South Dakota State University's Department of Counseling and Human Development is proud to offer graduate coursework that may assist individuals in earning their Registered Play Therapist (RPT) or School-Based Registered Play Therapist (SB-RPT) credential. Please note, students completing play therapy coursework are also working towards a master's degree in a counseling-related field OR they have already completed their master's degree.
What you can do with the Play Therapist Credentials
Play therapy is a specialized set of knowledge, skills and attitudes for working with children. Through play therapy, children are offered a safe and trusting environment to address emotional, behavioral and cognitive difficulties in a developmentally appropriate manner. Garry Landreth said that “play is children’s language and toys are their words.” Play therapists are mental health professionals who are often employed in mental health agencies, schools, hospitals and private practices. Play therapy can help children with feelings, grief and loss, divorce, crisis and trauma, depression, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity, autism, academic and social developmental delays, physical and learning disabilities and conduct disorders.
The Association for Play Therapy (APT) – confers Registered Play Therapist (RPT) or School-Based Registered Play Therapist (SB-RPT) credentials to assist the public in recognizing those who have specialized training and supervision in the practice of play therapy.
Admission Requirements
Play therapy coursework is completed in a cohort model. Cohorts typically begin in the fall. Play therapy studies at SDSU include at least 7 graduate credits. If you are already enrolled in a CHRD graduate program, please contact Dr. Naomi Timm-Davis to learn about the next play therapy course offering.
If you are not enrolled in a CHRD graduate program and would like to apply to study play therapy at SDSU, in one email please submit: a letter of interest, resume, 2 letters of professional reference and a writing sample to Dr. Naomi Timm-Davis or Sara Botsch. Upon review, qualified candidates will interview with faculty to determine admissions. Admissions materials must be received by April 1 for consideration for fall term.
Events
Past:
- 2019, Dr. Robert Jason Grant, Play Therapy with Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- 2020, Dr. Jennifer Baggerly, Trauma-Informed Play Therapy
- 2021, Lisa Dion, Working with Aggression in the Play Room
- South Dakota Early Childhood Mental Health 2022 Webinar Series:
- Feb. 25: Building Bridges: Child Teacher Relationship Training as a Play Therapy Intervention in Schools
- March 11: The Right Fight: Uniting Families against Problems through Narrative Theory and Play Therapy
- March 25: Cultural Humility in Children’s Mental Health & Play Therapy
RPT Credential and SDSU Coursework/Experience Guide
The following is a guide to describe how coursework and experience earned at SDSU can be applied towards this credential:
Phase One
APT Requirements:
Hours Required: 35-55
Phase 1 only: Theories: 20-30, Skills and Methods: 10-20, Applicant’s Choice: up to 15
In any phase: History: up to 5, Special Topics: 0-5
SDSU Offering/Recommendation:
CHRD 706
APT Requirements:
At least 50, but no more than 75 hours of Supervised Play Therapy Experience must be completed during Phase 1.
SDSU Offering/Recommendation:
CHRD 710 (1 credit), 786* or 794* only if access to RPT-S available
APT Requirements:
At least 5, not more than 10
Note: of the required 35 hours, no more than 10 group supervision hours will be accepted
Observe 1 play therapy session.
*Must be an RPT-S
SDSU Offering/Recommendation:
CHRD 710
Phase Two
APT Requirements:
Hours Required: 55-70
Phase 2 only: Theories: 25-30, Skills and Methods: 25-30, Special Topics: 5-10
In any phase: History: up to 5, Applicant's Choice: up to 15
SDSU Offering/Recommendation:
CHRD 707, 708; play therapy workshops and/or conferences
APT Requirements:
At least 100, but no more than 150 hours of Supervised Play Therapy Experience must be completed during Phase 2.
SDSU Offering/Recommendation:
CHRD 711 (1 credit), 786* or 794* only if access to RPT-S available
APT Requirements:
At least 10, not more than 15
Note: of the required 35 hours, no more than 10 group supervision hours will be accepted
Observe 2 play therapy sessions.
*Must be an RPT-S
SDSU Offering/Recommendation:
CHRD 711
Phase Three
APT Requirements:
Hours Required: 45-60
Phase 3 only: Any Theory: 10-15, Skills and Methods: 15-20, Special Topics: 20-25
In any phase: History: up to 5, Applicant's Choice: up to 15
SDSU Offering/Recommendation:
CHRD 709; play therapy workshops and/or conferences
APT Requirements:
At least 100 hours but no more than 175 hours of Supervised Play Therapy Experience must be completed during Phase 3.
SDSU Offering/Recommendation:
Pre-license practice
APT Requirements:
At least 10 not more than 20.
Note: of the required 35 hours, no more than 10 group supervision hours will be accepted
Observe 2 play therapy sessions.
*Must be an RPT-S
SDSU Offering/Recommendation:
Pre-license practice with an RPT-S supervisor
Visit APT for additional information on the credentials and a list of current supervisors.
Course Information
| Course # | Course | Credits | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRD 706 | History and Theoretical Models of Play Therapy | 2 | The evolution of the field of play therapy is explored. Major theoretical approaches of play therapy explored as well as nature of theory related to techniques, assessment and treatment. Designed for those who have completed a theory course in their respective degree area. |
| CHRD 707 | Play Therapy Skills and Techniques | 2 | Play materials and tools are introduced. The counseling relationship, skills and utilization of play media to facilitate expression, self-understanding and personal growth/development. Observation of and supervised experience in play therapy is a part of this course. Prerequisite—CHRD 706 |
| CHRD 708 | Filial and Family Play Therapy | 1 | This course focuses on working with and training parents and caregivers to be therapeutic agents in their children’s lives through the utilization of play therapy skills in parent-child structured play sessions. Prerequisite—CHRD 706, 707 |
| CHRD 709 | Applications of Play Therapy | 2 | Students are required to demonstrate proficiency in play therapy principles and practices. Students engage in advanced study of play therapy, including theories, application of skills, parent consultation. Group play therapy will be examined and practiced. Prerequisite – CHRD 706, 707 |
For More Information Contact:
Naomi Timm-Davis
Assistant Professor
School of Education, Counseling and Human Development
Counseling and Human Resource Development