• Membership in a professional association.
• Advertising for Members on the FIND A MEMBER online platform,
• Newsletters and emails will keep you informed about on-going training, professional development opportunities, social events, job opportunities, research updates and other developments within the play therapy field,
• Discounts for APPTA professional development training courses, workshops, webinars, and conferences.
• Networking opportunities with play therapists, individuals, and organisations with an interest in play therapy.
• Opportunity to actively participate in APPTA and contribute to the progress of the field of play therapy in the community.
• Political advocacy for recognition of the profession of play therapy,
• Voting rights for members at APPTA meetings.
• Eligibility for membership in various APPTA committees.
• Members are welcome to attend meetings of their local state or territory representative.
• The use of title protection for Registered Play Therapist™ and Registered Play Therapist – Supervisor ™ including the abbreviation RPT™ and RPT-S™.

Our members hold postgraduate degrees in play therapy, either through APPTA-accredited courses or an alternative pathway. For additional information, please refer to the  membership credentials.

APPTA has only accredited the Master of Child Play Therapy course at Deakin University.

All other course providers are not accredited, therefore, you must perform your own research to decide whether they fulfil  APPTA’s membership requirements.

Accredited Pathway
Members opting for the accreditation pathway must hold an undergraduate degree in mental health fields such as psychology, counselling, social work, social science, or mental health nursing, or in allied health fields like occupational therapy or speech therapy. Degrees in education or early childhood education are also acceptable.

Alternative Pathway
For the alternative pathway, members must possess an undergraduate degree in mental health (including psychology, counselling, social work, social science, or mental health nursing) or in allied health (such as occupational therapy or speech therapy). However, degrees in education or early childhood education are not accepted.

A registered play therapy supervisor must oversee your supervision. This supervisor can be a member of APPTA or another recognised Play Therapy Association, such as APT, APTA, BAPT, or PTI.

If you opt for group therapy, please note that 1.5 hours of group supervision counts as 1 hour of individual supervision. Therefore, you cannot exceed 37.5 hours of group supervision, which is equivalent to 25 hours of individual supervision.

At the end of your supervision experience, when applying for membership, you will need to provide a letter from your supervisor(s) on official letterhead. This letter should outline the total number of hours completed, the time frame in which they were completed, and include the supervisor’s credentials and signature.

The 50 hours of personal therapy can be completed with a number of techniques and a couple of providers. You may use any therapeutic technique that aligns with the APPTA’s Personal Therapy Rationale. We urge that you provide a copy of this to your therapist(s) so that they may assess whether their method can help you achieve our membership criteria.

If you choose group therapy, 1.5 hours of group therapy equals 1 hour of individual therapy. As a result, you cannot have more than 37.5 hours of group therapy, which is comparable to 25 hours of individual therapy.

When applying for membership at the end of your personal therapy journey, you must include a letter from your therapist(s) on letterhead that details the number of hours you have completed and the timeframe in which they were completed, as well as the therapist’s credentials and signature.

If you choose group therapy, 1.5 hours of group therapy equals 1 hour of individual therapy. As a result, you cannot have more than 37.5 hours of group therapy, which is comparable to 25 hours of individual therapy.

When applying for membership at the end of your personal therapy journey, you must include a letter from your therapist(s) on letterhead that details the number of hours you have completed and the timeframe in which they were completed, as well as the therapist’s credentials and signature.

Play therapists operate in a variety of settings across the Australia/Pacific region, reflecting the diverse needs of the communities they serve. These settings include:

• Schools: Within educational environments, play therapists work closely with children to address emotional and behavioural issues that may impact their learning and social interactions. They provide support through individual sessions and may also conduct group therapy, helping students develop coping skills and emotional resilience.
• Hospitals: In healthcare settings, play therapists assist children facing medical challenges, including those undergoing treatment for chronic illnesses. By using play as a therapeutic tool, they help alleviate anxiety, promote coping strategies, and facilitate communication about fears related to medical procedures.
• Charitable Groups: Many play therapists collaborate with non-profit organisations that focus on mental health, welfare, and community support. In these roles, they may provide services to underserved populations, offering vital support to children and families in need.
• Government Departments: Play therapists often work within government agencies that focus on child welfare, mental health, and family support. They may be involved in assessments, interventions, and policy development aimed at improving the well-being of children and their families.
• Private Practice: Many play therapists operate independently, offering specialised services tailored to individual client needs. In private practice, they can create a safe and nurturing environment where children can express themselves freely, facilitating healing and growth.

Collaboration is a key aspect of play therapy, as therapists frequently work alongside other professionals such as psychologists, social workers, and teachers. This interdisciplinary approach ensures that children receive comprehensive care that addresses all aspects of their well-being. By sharing insights and strategies, these professionals can create a supportive network that enhances the effectiveness of interventions.

Overall, play therapy has been recognised as a highly effective intervention for children facing a wide range of emotional and behavioural challenges. Research supports its efficacy in helping children process trauma, develop social skills, and manage anxiety and depression. Through play, therapists are able to engage children in a language they understand, allowing them to express their feelings and experiences in a safe and constructive manner. This holistic approach not only benefits the children but also supports their families, fostering healthier dynamics and improved outcomes.

APPTA has a process in place to assess overseas qualifications and registrations so that those with Australian equivalent credentials can become registered members.

APPTA keeps an up-to-date list of Registered Play Therapists™ (RPT™) and Play Therapy Supervisors™ (RPT-S™). Please use the following link: Find a Play Therapist

If the payment for your membership renewal is not received by the end of April, you will lose access to your account and will no longer be considered a “active member.”

Members who do not pay will temporarily lose their membership privileges and voting rights until they reapply. To reapply for membership, please log in to “Apply for Membership.

If you think you are still an active member because you have paid your membership fees, kindly send an email to [email protected]

Members are usually reminded several times before March 31 every year. Please ensure that payment is made by the 31st to avoid a $25 late fee added to your regular membership cost.

The Board, Committee, and State Representative staff of APPTA are all voluntary. We try our best to answer all questions within a reasonable time-frame. However, please keep in mind that we all have other responsibilities outside of our roles with APPTA. Therefore, we appreciate your patience and understanding if there are delays in our responses. Rest assured, we are dedicated to serving our members and will do our best to address any concerns or enquiries you may have. Thank you for your support and cooperation.

An application is typically heard in a month or two.

The membership committee meets once a month. There are various reasons why an application may be delayed. Maybe you have forgotten to

• Submit all the necessary documents for approval
• Get all the documents signed by a Justice of the Peace (JP).
•  Have your support letters provided on letterhead.
• Get your documents signed by the necessary person, such as a counsellor, supervisor, or organisation.
• Check the deadline for the upcoming round of applications.
• met the full criteria for the membership category you have applied for.

There could be a lot of reasons behind the wait. To avoid having to wait a long time, kindly take your time when submitting your application.