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A play therapist much like any other mental health professional sees patients mostly one-on-one in 30- to 50-minute sessions. The Association for Play Therapy estimates that it takes about 20 sessions to address a child's problems, but some children may require more or fewer sessions. A play therapist spends time with each child and sometimes in sessions with the child's family. She uses specific play techniques to help the children address behavioral, learning, emotional and social problems. In some cases, these problems arise from environmental stresses, such as divorce, natural disasters, domestic violence, death or war.
- Some of the play therapist's time is also spent supervising junior and less experienced play therapists in a clinical setting as well as working as part of a team of mental health professionals that includes psychiatrists, psychologists, psychotherapists and social workers. This is especially so in hospital psychiatric and pediatric wards. Some play therapists teach in teaching hospitals as well as consult with other related service agencies.
- A play therapist starts off as a well-trained licensed mental health professional with a degree (most times advanced) in psychology, psychotherapy, social work, nursing or occupational therapy. With some experience, a play therapist then branches out into specializing in play therapy. After receiving specialized training and supervision, she can qualify to receive Registered Play Therapist (RPT) or Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S) credentials from the Association for Play Therapy. See a link in the Resources section below for specific credentialing criteria.
