Play Therapy in Social Work Practice

This course equips social workers with play therapy skills, covering theory, techniques, ethics, and cultural responsiveness to support children across diverse practice settings.

🕒 3 CE HOURS

COURSE LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE

Date of course creation/update: 4/15/2025

CE Broker Tracking NO: #20-1354077

Education Pathways, LLC provider #2485, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 02/05/2026–02/05/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 3 Clinical continuing education credits.

This online reading-based asynchronous distance learning course :

course provides social workers with a comprehensive understanding of play therapy as a developmentally appropriate and evidence-based intervention for children. It explores theoretical foundations, types of play therapy, and practical strategies for addressing trauma, anxiety, aggression, grief, and social difficulties. Ethical considerations, cultural responsiveness, and integration into diverse practice settings are emphasized. Participants will gain actionable tools, structured session examples, and supervision guidance to translate knowledge into practice.

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Learning Objectives:

Define play therapy and explain its developmental and theoretical foundations.
Describe different types of play therapy and their benefits.
Identify key elements of a therapeutic play space.
Match interventions to specific client populations and presenting issues.
Apply play therapy techniques to address emotional and behavioral concerns.
Develop session plans and adapt interventions to client needs.
Apply culturally sensitive practices in play therapy.
Recognize ethical and legal responsibilities in play-based interventions.
Integrate play therapy into diverse social work settings.
Identify opportunities for professional development in play therapy.

View Course Timed Agenda

Foundations of Play Therapy (16 min)

History and evolution
Role of play in child development (Piaget, Erikson, Vygotsky)
Core orientations: child-centered, CBT, psychodynamic, Adlerian
Principles of therapeutic vs. recreational play
Role of the social worker as facilitator

Types and Modalities of Play Therapy (14 min)

Individual and group play therapy
Directive vs. nondirective approaches
Filial therapy and caregiver involvement
Integration with CBT, narrative, and family therapy

Setting Up the Therapeutic Environment (18 min)

Essential materials (puppets, dolls, sand tray, art supplies)
Structuring space for different ages
Establishing trust and psychological safety
Symbolic play and nonverbal communication
Culturally responsive materials

Populations and Presenting Issues (19 min)

Ages 2–12: developmental fit
Trauma, anxiety, depression, ADHD, behavioral challenges
Foster care and child welfare contexts
Grief and loss
Autism spectrum disorders

Practical Play Therapy Techniques (26 min)

Emotion regulation: feelings charades, worry monsters
Trauma processing: puppet role plays, storytelling
Behavioral skill building: reward-based games, problem-solving boards
Cognitive restructuring: thought bubbles, magic wands
Grief and loss: memory boxes, goodbye letters
Family-based interventions: co-play sessions, genogram play

Case Studies and Session Planning (16 min)

Case examples: separation anxiety, foster care aggression
Session structure: check-in, warm-up, therapeutic play, closure
Adjusting activities by developmental level
Tracking progress through play themes

Cultural Competence in Play Therapy (15 min)

Avoiding assumptions in symbolic interpretation
Culturally informed toys, stories, metaphors
Engaging diverse families
Ethical considerations related to culture and identity
Addressing language barriers with nonverbal modalities

Ethical and Legal Considerations (14 min)

Confidentiality and mandated reporting
Informed consent and assent for minors
Managing disclosures through play
Documentation and recording sessions
Digital play tools and telehealth

Supervision, Evaluation, and Integration (16 min)

Using supervision to process play themes
Incorporating play therapy into schools, clinics, hospitals, homes
Documentation and outcome evaluation
Collaboration with caregivers and interdisciplinary teams

Future Directions (7 min)

Certification options (e.g., RPT credential)
Advancing skills and professional growth

Total Time

180 minutes (3 CE Hours)

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