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Play Therapy

Bolster yourself to help and heal children with play therapy to boost their psychological development and become creative.

4.8 4.8 Rating ( 8 Reviews )
69 Students
Bestseller
Great Service
Highly Rated
i Last Updated: 6th August 2026
◎ English
Flexible Schedule
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Overview

Children often express their thoughts, emotions and experiences through play, making it an important tool for understanding and supporting their emotional wellbeing. Play therapy uses structured play-based techniques to help children communicate, develop coping skills and work through emotional or behavioural challenges in a safe and supportive environment.

The Play Therapy course explores the key principles, models and practical applications of play therapy for children. Learners will gain an understanding of therapeutic play settings, common issues addressed through play therapy, specialised interventions for vulnerable children, and the latest developments in play based therapy through case studies and evidence-informed approaches.

Delivered by Thames College, this course is suitable for anyone interested in child development, education, healthcare or social care. Whether you’re looking to enhance your professional knowledge or begin learning about therapeutic play, this course provides a strong foundation in child-centred therapeutic practice.

Key Benefits Included

► Accredited by CPD
► Endorsed by QLS (Quality Licence Scheme)
► Instant Access
► 24/7 Learning Assistance
► Self-paced learning and laptop, tablet, smartphone-friendly
► Fully online, interactive course with audio voiceover
► Developed by qualified professionals in the field

Sneak Peek

Learning Outcomes

Gain a comprehensive understanding of how therapeutic play can support children’s emotional wellbeing and development. After completing this course, you will be able to:

► Explain the purpose and principles of play therapy.
► Understand the benefits and expected outcomes of therapeutic play.
► Compare different models and approaches used in play therapy.
► Recognise the importance of creating safe and supportive play environments.
► Understand the therapist’s role when working with children.
► Identify common issues addressed through play therapy.

Who is This Course For?

This course is suitable for anyone interested in supporting children’s emotional health and development through therapeutic play.

► Beginners interested in child development and therapeutic support
► Teaching assistants and education support staff
► Childcare practitioners
► Social care professionals
► Healthcare professionals working with children
► Counsellors and support workers

Certification

CPD Certification

After successfully completing the assessment of this course, you can apply for the CPD accredited certificates.
PDF certificate: £9.99
Hardcopy certificate: £15.99

Endorsed Certificate of Achievement from the Quality Licence Scheme

Upon successful completion of the course, you can order an original hardcopy certificate of achievement endorsed by the Quality Licence Scheme. The certificate will be home-delivered, with a pricing scheme of —
► 135 GBP within UK
► 145 GBP for International Delivery — Postal Fees Included

Please Note: Thames College is a One Education approved resale partner for Quality Licence Scheme Endorsed courses

Accreditation

All of our courses, including this course is fully accredited, providing you with up-to-date skills and knowledge and helping you to become more competent and effective in your chosen field.

CPD Accredited

All of our courses meet recognised CPD Quality Standards, supporting high-quality learning and ongoing professional development.

QLS Endorsed

The Quality Licence Scheme (QLS) is a recognised accreditation framework that endorses high-quality, non-regulated training courses across a wide range of industries.

Association of Healthcare Trainers

The Association of Healthcare Trainers (AoHT) supports excellence in healthcare education by helping training providers deliver up-to-date, industry-focused learning and maintain strong professional standards..

UKRLP Registered

UKRLP registration demonstrates commitment to recognised training and education standards, helping organisations build trust, improve credibility, and showcase their presence within the UK learning and skills sector.

Career Opportunities

This course can support professional development for a range of child-focused roles.

► Play Therapist Assistant — Average UK Salary: £23,000–£34,000 per year
► Teaching Assistant — Average UK Salary: £19,000–£27,000 per year
► Child Support Worker — Average UK Salary: £22,000–£33,000 per year
► Family Support Worker — Average UK Salary: £24,000–£36,000 per year
► Childcare Practitioner — Average UK Salary: £21,000–£30,000 per year

Excellent

4.8 Average - 8 Reviews

★ Reviews
Sophie
The course gave me a much better understanding of how play therapy supports children's emotional wellbeing
Daniel Morris
I found the modules easy to follow and very informative.

Course Curriculum

Module 01: What is Play Therapy
What is Play Therapy 00:29:00
Module 02: Advantages and Outcomes of Play Therapy
Advantages and Outcomes of Play Therapy 00:17:00
Module 03: Models and Approaches of Play Therapy
Models and Approaches of Play Therapy 00:27:00
Module 04: The Play Settings: Therapist, Abused Child and Materials
The Play Settings: Therapist, Abused Child and Materials 00:32:00
Module 05: Typical Issues in Play Therapy
Typical Issues in Play Therapy 00:37:00
Module 06: Play Therapy for Sexually and Emotionally Abused Children
Play Therapy for Sexually and Emotionally Abused Children 00:33:00
Module 07: Play Therapy for Children Who are Homeless
Play Therapy for Children Who are Homeless 00:20:00
Module 08: Play Interventions for Disaster Mental Health
Play Interventions for Disaster Mental Health 00:22:00
Module 09: Case Studies and Recent Trends in Play Therapy
Case Studies and Recent Trends in Play Therapy 00:25:00
Mock Exam
Mock Exam – Play Therapy 00:20:00
Final Exam
Final Exam – Play Therapy 00:20:00
Assignment
Assignment – Play Therapy 2 weeks, 1 day

Certificate of Achievement

Upon completion, you will receive a CPD-accredited certificate recognised globally. Choose from:

Pdf Certificate & Transcript  £7.99
Hardcopy Certificate & Transcript  £17.99

This certification validates your knowledge and skills, boosting your employability in healthcare.

1. What is play therapy? +

Play therapy is a child-centred therapeutic approach that uses play to help children express emotions, process experiences and develop healthy coping strategies. It is commonly used when children find it difficult to communicate their thoughts and feelings through words alone.

2. Who is play therapy for children suitable for? +

Play therapy for children is designed to support young people experiencing emotional, behavioural or psychological challenges. It may also help children who have experienced trauma, family changes, abuse or other difficult life events.

3. Is this play therapy course suitable for beginners? +

Yes. The course provides a clear introduction to the principles, models and practical applications of play therapy, making it suitable for beginners as well as professionals who want to expand their knowledge.

4. What will I learn in this play therapy course? +

You'll learn about the foundations of play therapy, therapeutic models, play settings, child-centred interventions, common challenges, specialist approaches for vulnerable children, and current developments in the field.

5. What is play based therapy? +

Play based therapy is an approach that uses play activities to help children communicate feelings, build confidence and develop emotional resilience. It creates a safe environment where children can explore experiences in a natural and supportive way.

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