Children do not always express difficult thoughts and emotions through direct conversation. When they are dealing with stress, trauma, and other emotional or behavioral concerns, they may be able to communicate more clearly through playing, drawing, telling stories, or other age-appropriate forms of expression.
If you are interested in pursuing a therapy career that focuses on helping children in a developmentally appropriate way, play therapy may be a rewarding professional direction. In this article, we will explain what play therapists do, outline the qualifications required to practice play therapy professionally, and show you how to become a play therapist step by step.
Understanding Play Therapists and Their Professional Role
Play therapists are licensed mental health professionals who are specifically trained to use play-based therapeutic techniques to help children work through their emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges.
Considering that children may not always have the language, emotional awareness, or maturity to explain what they are experiencing directly, they may need support from play therapists, who can use developmentally appropriate methods that allow them to communicate with the youngest clients in ways that feel more natural to them.
In a typical play therapy session, a play therapist might use various activities, such as storytelling, creative expression, role-playing, and other guided techniques, to encourage children to express their emotions, process their experiences, and develop healthier ways to cope with difficult situations.
Depending on their training and area of practice, play therapists may help children address a wide range of difficulties, including anxiety, depression, anger, trauma, grief, neurodivergence, and major life changes. In many cases, they may also work closely with parents, caregivers, teachers, or other professionals involved in the child’s support system.
While it may seem like fun and games from the outside, in reality, play therapy is a structured therapeutic approach that requires years of specialized training and a strong level of clinical judgment.
Play therapists must be capable of understanding child development, assessing client concerns, and choosing the right therapeutic techniques before they can use these methods effectively in practice.
What’s more, because their clients are children, play therapists must also understand the ethical and professional concerns involved in this line of work and make sure they are properly trained and qualified to work with such a vulnerable population.
Licensure Pathways That Can Lead to Play Therapy Specialization
Even though the term play therapist is commonly used as such in everyday conversations, play therapy is actually not usually regulated as a standalone profession. Instead, it is a specialized area of therapy that a number of counseling professionals can pursue through additional training.
In practice, to become qualified for treating clients with play-based therapeutic techniques, professionals need to go through the standard process for becoming a licensed therapist and then complete additional training and credentialing for play therapy.
The three most commonly pursued therapist roles that can lead to play therapy specialization include:
- Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), who helps clients work through emotional, behavioral, personal, and mental health concerns through counseling and therapy services
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), who can provide therapy while also considering the client’s family environment, school setting, support system, and access to helpful resources
- Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), who focuses on relationship patterns, family dynamics, communication problems, and concerns affecting couples, parents, children, and families
In addition, professionals in fields that require doctoral or medical training, such as clinical psychology and psychiatry practitioners, may also incorporate play therapy in their work and services. However, in this guide, we will break down the graduate degree pathway of becoming a play therapist through the three professions we highlighted above.
Common Professional Work Settings for Play Therapists
As awareness of children’s mental health needs continues to grow, the expertise of skilled, registered play therapists has become relevant across many areas of care. As a result, play therapists can find employment opportunities in a wide range of professional settings and environments, including:
- Private practices, where play therapists may provide therapy to children and involve parents or caregivers when their participation supports treatment.
- Child and adolescent mental health clinics, where they may work with young clients dealing with emotional, behavioral, developmental, or family-related challenges.
- Schools and educational settings, where they may support children whose emotional or behavioral difficulties affect learning, peer relationships, or classroom adjustment.
- Pediatric hospitals and healthcare facilities, where they may help children cope with illness, medical procedures, recovery, or other stressful health-related experiences.
- Child and family service agencies, where they may support children and families involved in foster care, adoption services, family counseling, or child welfare cases.
- Domestic violence shelters and trauma programs, where they may help children process stressful or traumatic family experiences in an age-appropriate way.
- Community mental health centers, where they may provide accessible counseling services to children and families who need local behavioral health support.
Regardless of where they practice, play therapists are always expected to follow the ethical standards of their profession, use age-appropriate methods, involve parents or caregivers when appropriate, and provide services only within the limits of their license.
Becoming a Play Therapist: Qualifications Breakdown
As we previously established, working with children and using play therapy techniques is a specialized area of clinical practice that carries serious professional responsibility.
As such, the career pathway into play therapy is closely regulated and requires candidates to meet strict eligibility requirements designed to make sure that the professionals providing care are properly qualified to support children. These include:
- Earning a bachelor’s degree in a field related to psychology or child development
- Completing a master’s degree program in a qualifying mental health discipline
- Meeting the supervised clinical experience requirement for their therapist license
- Achieving passing scores on the licensing exams required by their profession and state
- Securing a professional mental health license and authorization to provide therapy services
- Receiving specialized play therapy instruction from a recognized training provider
- Meeting the required play therapy supervision and direct clinical experience requirements
- Obtaining a recognized play therapy credential and registered play therapist (RPT) status
In other words, aspiring therapists can only start offering professional clinical mental health services using play therapy only after they complete the standard therapist licensure pathway and get the required RPT credential.
How to Become a Play Therapist: Step-by-Step Guide
Now that we’ve developed a clearer understanding of the play therapist profession and the qualifications required for professional practice, we can move on to the practical part of our guide and explain how aspiring therapists can become play therapists step by step.
Build a Solid Academic Foundation in Undergrad School
The first step toward becoming a play therapist is to enroll in a bachelor’s degree program at an accredited college or university. During their undergraduate studies, aspiring play therapists are still preparing for the broader therapist pathway, so they are not required to choose any specific majors at this point in their education.
However, considering that the specialty they will eventually pursue focuses on children and developmentally appropriate care, it is a good idea to choose coursework that can support that direction.
For example, taking courses in subjects such as psychology, child development, social work, human services, and behavioral science can be useful, as they can introduce them to concepts like emotional development, communication, family relationships, and the factors that shape children’s behavior.
The undergraduate phase of therapist education can take around four years, though the exact timeline may vary based on the student’s course load, transfer credits, and enrollment status. Students can also find bachelor’s degree programs in different formats and study options, including on-campus, online, and hybrid programs.
Earn a Master’s Degree in a Qualifying Mental Health Field
After completing their undergraduate education, aspiring play therapists need to continue their studies at the graduate level by enrolling in a master’s degree program that can qualify them for therapist licensure.
Unlike undergraduate school, where students can choose from a broader range of majors, the graduate stage of their education is much more specific and requires them to complete a degree that will qualify them for the therapy license they plan to pursue later.
For example, if they want to approach play therapy as licensed professional counselors (LPCs), they need to enroll in a qualifying master’s degree program in counseling that meets the educational eligibility criteria established by their state licensing board.
In addition to being tied to a specific license path, graduate programs for therapists are also notably more focused on clinical practice than undergrad studies.
Grad students complete advanced coursework that includes professional counseling subjects such as counseling theory, assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and other topics designed to prepare them for clinical work with clients.
What’s more, most qualifying graduate programs include practicum, internship, or clinical fieldwork experiences, where students can begin applying what they learn in supervised client-facing settings.
Complete the Supervised Experience Requirement for Licensure
In addition to completing a qualifying graduate degree, aspiring play therapists also need to complete a specific number of hours of supervised clinical experience before they can apply for a therapist license. However, the point at which they can start working with clients under supervision and begin adding to their experience hours can vary based on state licensing rules.
In some states, graduates can start immediately after graduation, while other states may impose additional preliminary requirements, or even require graduates to pass exams and obtain an associate license before they can begin.
Either way, the supervised period is one of the most formative parts of the formal therapist training, as it allows future therapists to work with clients under the guidance of a qualified supervisor. During this time, graduates are allowed to assess client concerns and provide their clients with counseling services, while the supervisor reviews their work and provides constructive feedback.
The exact number of required supervision hours can also vary depending on local policies and specific licensure requirements, though generally, aspiring therapists are required to complete several thousand hours of supervised clinical experience, including direct client contact, in at least 24 months.
Pass the Required National and State Licensing Exams
The moment they complete the supervised experience requirement, aspiring therapists have officially completed all stages of their clinical preparation and can finally move on to the examination stage of the therapist licensure process.
However, it is important to point out that the licensing exam they need to take depends on the license path they’re pursuing:
- Candidates working toward LPC licensure need to take the NCE or NCMHCE examination
- Candidates pursuing LCSW licensure need to take the ASWB Clinical Examination
- Candidates working toward LMFT licensure need to take the National Marriage and Family Therapy Examination
Each of these national examinations is designed to assess the candidate’s clinical knowledge, therapy skills, and professional readiness to practice independently in their respective professions.
In addition, we should also point out that in some states, therapist candidates may also be required to take state-specific law and ethics or jurisprudence exams that test their knowledge of local regulations and professional standards.
While they may not be as broad as national exams, passing the state-specific exams is also a mandatory requirement in the states that require them.
Apply for Your Professional Therapist License
When they complete their education, hands-on experience, and examination requirements, aspiring therapists can relish the fact that they’ve satisfied all the major qualification criteria for professional licensure and can move on to the application stage.
To apply for a license, candidates need to submit a formal application to the state licensing board responsible for their profession and provide documentation that verifies their education, supervised experience, examination results, and other required qualifications.
In addition, they may also need to complete a criminal background check, submit fingerprints, or satisfy other administrative requirements before their application can be approved.
Once the licensing board reviews the application and confirms that all requirements have been met, it can issue a professional therapist license and grant authorization for independent clinical practice.
Start Practicing as a Licensed Mental Health Professional
Once a therapist receives their professional license, they can begin providing clinical mental health services independently and without mandatory supervision.
Depending on their license type and career goals, they may look for work in private practices, mental health clinics, hospitals, community organizations, social service agencies, schools, or other settings where licensed therapists commonly provide mental health support.
With this professional license, professional therapists may also start providing therapy services to children and adolescent clients, however, not as play therapy specialists, but as general practitioners.
To move into the play therapy specialty, therapists need to complete advanced specialization training and meet the required supervision, experience, and credentialing standards.
Complete an Advanced Play Therapy Training Program
The first step toward specializing in play therapy is seeking out advanced training opportunities that can help generalist therapists expand their clinical knowledge and develop the skills required to use this specialized therapy approach.
Therapists can access this type of preparation through several sources, including universities, specialist training institutes, and continuing education providers. Depending on the program structure, their training may include theory-based courses, experiential learning activities, opportunities to practice individual techniques, and case-based instruction from experienced play therapy professionals.
Naturally, different play therapy programs may emphasize different areas of practice. Some provide broader instruction on the therapeutic process and the use of toys, games, stories, art, and other play-based methods, while others concentrate on a particular model, such as child-centered, Adlerian, filial, or cognitive behavioral play therapy.
In any case, the best place to begin developing play therapy competence and transition toward specialized practice is a formal training program that will connect the theoretical instruction with practical clinical application.
Practice Play Therapy Under Qualified Supervision
In addition to completing specialized training, it is beneficial for therapists to practice play therapy under the guidance of a qualified supervisor, especially during the early stages of their specialization.
Keep in mind, this is not another mandatory supervised experience requirement like the one completed for therapist licensure, but rather a form of ongoing development for licensed therapists who already have authorization for professional practice.
By consulting with more experienced play therapists, professionals who pursue this specialization can discuss difficult cases, receive feedback on their clinical decisions, and gain new perspectives on their work. This type of guidance can also help them recognize blind spots, strengthen their clinical judgment, and refine their clinical approach.
Gain More Experience Applying Play Therapy With Children
While supervised practice can provide a strong foundation for using play therapy, therapists eventually need to take greater responsibility for their continued development and gain repeated exposure to clinical situations where this approach may be appropriate.
However, because they cannot simply choose which clients enter their caseloads or use play therapy when it does not suit a child’s needs, they need to create better opportunities for relevant practice through their own career choices.
The best way to do that at this stage of their careers is to seek roles in settings where cases suitable for play therapy are likely to arise frequently. For example, children experiencing emotional or behavioral difficulties often receive care in child and family counseling centers or community mental health programs, so therapists may consider seeking roles in these types of settings.
As they work with a broader range of children and apply play therapy more consistently, their confidence, clinical judgment, and ability to adapt the approach can strengthen over time.
Consider Obtaining a Recognized Play Therapy Credential
The final step that therapists who want to specialize as play therapists may consider taking is to obtain a professional credential that will formally recognize their specialized preparation in play therapy.
Earning such a credential is not mandatory for licensed therapists who are properly trained and use play therapy within their professional scope of practice. However, it can strengthen their professional profile and make their focused training easier to recognize among clients, employers, and referral partners.
One of the most widely recognized play therapy certifications is the Registered Play Therapist (RPT) credential offered by the Association for Play Therapy.
To obtain this certification, therapists need to complete at least 150 hours of play therapy education and accumulate 350 hours of direct play therapy experience. Furthermore, they also need to receive 35 hours of play therapy supervision and participate in five observed play therapy sessions.
Final Words
Play therapy gives children an age-appropriate way to express what they may struggle to communicate through conversation alone. Through specialized techniques, play therapists can help young clients work through difficult experiences and receive support in a way that feels more natural to them.
Becoming a play therapist requires real commitment because the pathway involves securing both therapist licensure and additional specialty credentials. For professionals who are willing to complete that process, play therapy can become a meaningful area of practice focused on helping children receive care in a way that fits their stage of development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to be a play therapist?
To qualify as a professional play therapist, you need to complete the standard pathway for becoming a generalist licensed mental health professional and then move into specialization by taking the necessary steps to develop your competence.
This includes earning a master’s degree in a qualifying mental health field and meeting the requirements for a general therapist license, and then satisfying the educational, supervision, and experience requirements for a play therapy certification.
What degree is best for play therapy?
There is no single best degree for play therapy, especially at the undergraduate level, as majors in psychology, child development, social work, counseling, or human services can all provide a useful foundation for later clinical training.
At the graduate level, the process is a bit more specific, as play therapy requires taking a degree path that qualifies the candidate for a therapist license. However, each of the three common routes, counseling, social work, and marriage and family therapy, can lead to play therapy specialization if the therapist later completes the required play therapy training and credentialing.
What does a child play therapist do?
A child play therapist uses play-based therapeutic techniques to help children work through emotional, behavioral, and developmental challenges.
Considering that children may not always be able to explain what they are experiencing through conversation alone, play therapists are capable of using age-appropriate activities to help them express themselves, process difficult experiences, and develop healthier coping skills.
Depending on their clinical preparation and specialized play therapy training, they may help children struggling with a range of mental health concerns, including anxiety, trauma, grief, behavioral difficulties, school stress, family conflict, and major life transitions.