1. WHAT IS A REGISTERED CLINICAL PLAY THERAPIST?

A Registered Clinical Play Therapist is a psychologist, clinical social worker, psychotherapist or counsellor who has gained specialist skills and knowledge in applying and evaluating a variety of clinical art and play therapy techniques and models in their counselling practice. Registered Clinical Play Therapists work with children, adolescents and adults and use a range of clinical art and play therapy techniques and approaches to achieve specific therapeutic goals outlined in the client’s counselling or treatment plan. Counselling plan goals are evaluated on a regular basis (approximately every 6–10 sessions) and clients and/or relevant parties are actively involved in the review process.

2. WHAT IS THEIR TRAINING?

Registered Clinical Play Therapists hold registration or membership with one or more of the following Australian professional clinical boards or associations, all of which require adherence to a professional code of ethical practice:

• Psychology Board of Australia (PBA)
• Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
• Psychotherapy and Counselling Association of Australia (PACFA)
• Australian Counselling Association (ACA)

In addition to their general clinical registration/membership with at least one of the above boards/associations, Registered Clinical Play Therapists have also completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Art & Play Therapy through the Academy of Art & Play Therapy.

3. WHO ARE THEY REGISTERED WITH?

All registrations are processed and regulated by the Academy of Art & Play Therapy and annual registration applications are overseen and reviewed by the Academy’s Advisory Committee.

4. WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR THEM TO MAINTAIN THEIR REGISTRATION?

In order to maintain best practice standards, Registered Clinical Play Therapists are required to participate in regular clinical art and play therapy specific professional supervision and professional development activities as outlined in the Academy’s Professional Code of Conduct for Registered Clinical Play Therapists. They are required to submit their professional supervision and professional development logs on an annual basis which are subsequently reviewed by the Academy’s Advisory Committee for approval.

5. WHERE DO THEY WORK?

Registered Clinical Play Therapists work in any number of counselling settings in Australia including government departments, non-government agencies and private practice.

6. WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN A REGISTERED CLINICAL PLAY THERAPIST AND ART THERAPIST OR PLAY THERAPIST?

• The main difference is that Registered Clinical Play Therapists are required to hold registration or membership with an Australian clinical counselling board or association (see section 2 above) and are required to work in a confidential counselling setting.
  
• Registered Clinical Play Therapists have all completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Art & Play Therapy through the Academy of Art & Play Therapy.
• Registered Clinical Play Therapists are trained in combining both art therapy and play therapy mediums and modalities in a clinical counselling context. There is a specific emphasis on developing client counselling plans and progress reports which clearly stipulate the application and evaluation of clinical art and play therapy interventions with the client.
• Unlike art therapists who have a background in fine arts (e.g. artists) and who are not necessarily qualified counselling clinicians, Registered Clinical Play Therapists do not necessarily have a background in fine arts and do not emphasise fine arts processes and capabilities in their work with clients. Rather, the emphasis is on integrating art mediums with clinical counselling techniques and models to assess and address specific psychological issues that are outlined in the client’s counselling plan.
• Registered Clinical Play Therapists are trained to use a diverse range of clinical art and play therapy applications with a number of different theoretical models and approaches. A need-focused approach is adopted which focuses on matching and tailoring clinical art and play therapy interventions to individual client needs, rather than using one dominant model or approach with all clients.
• Registered Clinical Play Therapists are trained to work with clients of all ages – preschool and primary school aged children, adolescents and adults.
• Registered Clinical Play Therapists who work in private practice and are registered with Medicare Australia, have been trained in applying clinical art and play therapy interventions in conjunction with approved Medicare models of intervention such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Psycho-Education, Interpersonal Therapy, Skills Training and Narrative Therapy.
• Registered Clinical Play Therapists are trained and guided to respond to Australian legal proceedings such as subpoenas for production of client files and subpoenas to give evidence in court.

For more information about Registered Clinical Play Therapists or to locate one in your area, please contact the Academy.