14/10/2026
Child therapists come to play therapy in different ways.
You don’t have to be a registered play therapist to provide effective play therapy to children. **ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ABOUT THIS FROM KATHERINE BELOW**
For example, for my fellow child psychologist colleagues interested in exploring play therapy as an intervention - I have some encouragement for you! While this week I’ve talked a lot about a masters program, there are some very robust clinical play therapy training programs available if you do want to explore play therapy as a clinical intervention, not just a means of engagement (i.e. play-based approaches).
You may be very interested in the ‘Kids Talk Too: An Introduction to Cognitive Therapies and Play-Based Techniques’ training event in November. You’ll have a lot of cognitive therapies which you’re well versed in (which will be included), but you may be particularly interested in thinking about how you can do that in play-based ways.
Join us live on Thursday 12th November, or register to receive the recording.
Learn more and register here: https://psychologyandplay.mykajabi.com/offers/43fhEJyZ/checkout
**ADDITIONAL COMMENTS FROM KATHERINE OLEJNICZAK.... This post seems to have sparked some concern! So I'd like to address the concern a couple of people have contacted me about.
The concern relates to the statement in the image - that one doesn't have to be a Registered Play Therapist in order to provide effective play therapy for children.
I think what may be being picked up on here is the tension that exists in the play therapy field in Australia (which also exists in other countries too).
The tension is a philosophical one which, here in Australia, we can observe by the fact be have 3 different play therapy associations. The reason for this is the philosophical difference about the pathways to becoming a Registered Play Therapist.
That is - play therapy as a speciality field of practice on top of a helping professional qualification (e.g. psychology, counselling, social work)...OR...play therapy as a profession that does not require a helping professions qualification, with a broader view of what constitutes an appropriate undergraduate qualification for entry (e.g. Education).
This tension is neither good nor bad, it simply exists. It is the primary reason we have not yet seen a merger of the 3 play therapy associations in Australia.
In Analytical Psychology, the concept of the "Tension of Opposites" recognises this tension as a natural feature of the human psyche. It views this tension as necessary for growth. If the tension between the opposites can be borne, then out of this clash something new and creative can grow.
When these opposing forces are held together in tension, it creates a “spark” for transformation and growth.
So my proposal here is - let's sit with this tension and dialogue about it. As a play therapy community - individual play therapists, mental health clinicians with play therapy training, and play therapy associations - let's dialogue respectfully together.
Because if we can do this unified together, holding the tension, I'd suggest that the advocacy for play therapy with our Governments will be strong and compelling.
This post has certainly sparked dialogue and who knows, maybe it will be a helpful mobilising dialogue for the play therapy field!
Please be assured I am a fierce advocate for play therapy in Australia. I hold multiple registrations with different play therapy associations as a Registered Play Therapist and Supervisor.
I've spent the last 20 years engaged in developing myself as a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, I've dedicated many many years training, supervising, and developing play therapy Boards here in Australia for safe and ethical practice of play therapy and play-based therapy approaches.
I've spent many many hours of my personal time volunteering on play therapy Boards supporting the development of play therapy as a profession.
The point I'm making in this post is one of inclusion.
Inclusion for all highly qualified mental health clinicians who undertake a robust clinical play therapy training program. The mental health clinician who completes a robust clinical play therapy training program, meeting all the criteria to become a Registered Play Therapist, and for various reasons chooses not register as a Play Therapist with one of the 3 member play therapy associations here in Australia, does not disqualify them from safely and effectively utilising play therapy in their clinical practice. Nor does it disqualify them from being a member of the play therapy community.
The other point I'm making in this post is one of mobilisation - introducing mental health clinicians who haven't yet heard about it, to the world of play therapy!...a PD opportunity from which, they may be spurred on to undertake play therapy training.
The more clinicians we have trained robustly in play therapy, the more helpful for our children and families, and the greater the reach and message of play therapy to our governments!
I hope this post is able to be received with the spirit in which it is intended. And maybe it will be a helpful mobilising dialogue for the play therapy field!
With respect and kindness,
Katherine Olejniczak
(Psychologist, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor)
