Play is an important therapy to encourage healing in children and adults experiencing physical, mental or emotional trauma. Play therapy can improve mood, coping skills, problems solving, self-awareness, social skills and more. This course is ideal for health professionals, counsellors, teachers, parents and toy and game professionals.
The Certificate of Play Therapy is an online professional development program that will teach you how to apply play therapy to help those with mental health conditions and developmental disorders to regain their motivation and emotional stability. You will also discover how play therapy can help with dementia, family problems and grief and loss.
In this play therapy course, you will gain an understanding of the foundations of play therapy, as well as how to create the right environment and choose the right toys, materials and activities to suit a specific client.
You will also learn about the related specialised creative therapies, such as music, art, drama and dance as therapeutic tools to treat adults and children.
On completion of this course, you will have a better awareness and understanding of the role of play therapy and how to apply play-based and creative therapies to help those with mental health conditions and behavioural disorders.
Course Structure
Unit - Play Therapy
Unit 1 – Foundations for Using Play Therapy
- What is play?
- Play and cognitive development
- Play and social development
- The value of play
- What is play therapy?
- Play therapy approaches
- Non-directive play therapy
- Axline’s principles
- Landreth’s perspective
- Play therapist role
- Play therapy and adults
- Scope of play therapy
Unit 2 – Applications of Play and Play Therapy
- Therapeutic play continuum
- Application of play therapy
- Who is play therapy for?
- Choice of toys and materials
- Age appropriate toys
- Aggressive toys
- Creating the right environment for play therapy
- Advantages of play therapy
- Issues in play therapy
Unit 3 – Play Therapy for Anxiety and Depressive Disorders
- Anxiety disorders
- Symptoms and treatment
- Use of play therapy
- Reducing anxiety in children
- Tracking
- CBT and play therapy for anxiety
- Depressive disorders / problems
- Treatments
- Uses of play therapy
Unit 4 – Play Therapy for Behavioural Disorders
- Conduct disorder and oppositional defiant disorder
- Uses of play therapy
- ADHD
Unit 5 – Play Therapy for Development Disorders
- Autism
- Intellectual disability
- Learning disorders
Unit 6 – Play Therapy for Social and Family Problems
- Types of social and family problems
- Trauma
- Grief and loss
- Uses of play therapy
Unit 7 – Play Therapy and Adult Populations
- Play therapy for adults
- How play therapy can help
- Benefits to relationships
- Group play
- Application of play therapy with adults
- Research supporting the use if play therapy
Unit 8 – Related Specialised Creative Therapies
- Music therapy
- Role of music therapist
- Art therapy
- Drama therapy
- Dance / movement
Unit 9 – Play and Rehabilitation
- Injury and illness
- Disability
- Science and technology
- Play therapy equipment
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Approval and Recognition
Australian Online Courses Pty Ltd is an approved and recognised member of IARC. The IARC is an International association that recognises quality and excellence in tertiary education providers.
Testimonials
Click to View Testimonials for the Certificate of Play Therapy
Extremely impressed with the course and the support and contact involved. I will definitely be enrolling in more courses and enrolling my employees in more of the courses.
C. Holmes, Huonville, TAS | Certificate of Play Therapy
A very informative and insightful course.
C. Holmes, Huonville, TAS | Certificate of Play Therapy
I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to apply myself to this new learning experience!
A. Botha, Howick VIC | Certificate of Play Therapy
It was great to work at my own pace and how it links to real life situational analysis
M. Roe, Moulden, NT | Certificate of Play Therapy
The study was self paced and the assessments were relevant for my learning.I enjoyed the course immensely.
Katie | Mount Gambier, SA | Certificate of Play Therapy
My experience studying with Australian Online Courses is great, because it gives me flexibility to complete the assignment, and the online tutor really helped me a lot regarding assignments questions, and provide feedbacks, to improve.
Psalmi | Hong Kong | Certificate of Play Therapy
It was VERY easy to navigate the online course and I loved it being self paced
Victoria | Tweed Heads West, NSW | Certificate of Play Therapy
Overall it was great. I could balance it with Uni work as well.
Tanishq | VIC | Certificate of Play Therapy
Completing the course was a great experience. There was sufficient information and content to make the course interesting and engaging. I liked how there were videos to compliment the written work. I would definitely recommend this course to other people wanting to learn about play therapy.
Jenna-Lee | St Kilda east, VIC | Certificate of Play Therapy
I thought this was a great introductory to Play Therapy. It covered a diverse range of topics which made me feel more confident in working with my students and providing appropriate play experiences to their needs.
Brooke | VIC | Certificate of Play Therapy
Really enjoyed this learning and researching each topic. Will be very useful when working with families and children.
Robyn | Noble Park, VIC | Certificate of Play Therapy
It was a great easy experience. Had lots of help when needed. Overall fantastic
Kavita | Pymble, NSW | Certificate of Play Therapy
It was an easy course to access and help was very clearly outlined throughout if needed also. A great response when I needed support and a pleasure to study with. The content was also very thorough and great assessment questions.
Jessica | Mundoolun, QLD | Certificate of Play Therapy
This was a great professional development course which was very insightful!
A.McDonald, Swan Hill, VIC | Certificate of Play Therapy
I had a great experience with AOC , learning at my own pace and having help available. Teachers are really nice ,cooperative and always happy to help.
Z. Baher, Werribee, VIC | Certificate of Play Therapy
Extremely impressed with the course and the support and contact involved. I will definitely be enrolling in more courses and enrolling my employees in more of the courses.
C. Holmes, Huonville, TAS | Certificate of Play Therapy
Wonderful and educational experience.
T. Devine, Yeppoon, QLD | Certificate of Play Therapy
Material was relevant to my work and topic information was well articulated. I enjoyed that assessments were self-paced.
K. Campbell, Toowoomba, QLD | Certificate of Play Therapy
Loved it, thank you!!
K. Campbell, Toowoomba, QLD | Certificate of Play Therapy
I absolutely loved this course.
S.St John, Coolaroo, VIC | Certificate of Play Therapy
This was a great opportunity for me to complete this course. It was interesting with enough info and help from the tutors. The online option also helps when we are working. Thanks for the opportunity.
M. Smith, Wyndham Vale, VIC | Certificate of Play Therapy
A great self-paced program, comprehensive content and supportive tutors.
S. Bey, Tarneit, VIC | Certificate of Play Therapy
I enjoyed my experience studying with Australian Online Courses as the instructions were easy to follow and they have a diverse range of activities for my course. This supports me to learn through different techniques.
M. Joseph, Bondi Beach, NSW | Certificate of Play Therapy material was well above expectation. I will be studying with you again
I have had a great experience, very easy to navigate and the learning material was well above expectation. I will be studying with you again.
L. Coatsworth, East Bunbury, WA | Certificate of Play Therapy
About Us
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Enrol Now
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Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
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Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional development for:
- Health Professionals
- Playleaders
- Therapists
- Counsellors
- Teachers
- Parents
- Toy and Game Designers, Manufacturers or Retailers
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