Therapy types
Play therapy for children: what it is and how to find a Registered Play Therapist
Play therapy uses play, a child’s natural way of communicating, as the core of therapy. The Association for Play Therapy says play therapists typically work with children ages 2 to 12. Look for a Registered Play Therapist (RPT), which requires a clinical license, 150 hours of play therapy training and 350 supervised hours. Georgia and Alabama have state play therapy associations.
Young children often can’t put feelings into words the way adults can, so therapy for them often looks like play. But many therapists who see children have little play therapy training. To find a trained play therapist, learn what play therapy is, check for the Registered Play Therapist credential, search, ask a few questions, then plan for cost and format.
1. Know what play therapy involves
The Association for Play Therapy (APT) defines play therapy as the systematic use of a theoretical model, in which trained play therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients. APT’s glossary describes three main kinds:
| Kind | What it means |
|---|---|
| Nondirective | the child leads the play, and the therapist follows |
| Directive | the therapist guides the play toward specific goals |
| Filial | the therapist teaches parents to use play therapy skills with their own child |
Ages. APT says play therapists typically work with children from 2 to 12 years old.
Ask any play therapist how they include parents. Filial therapy puts parents at the center, and many play therapists meet with parents regularly even when they see the child alone.
2. Check for the RPT credential
APT’s credential standards, effective April 2025, say an RPT must have:
- a master’s degree and an unconditional state license in counseling, marriage and family therapy, psychiatry, psychology or social work
- at least 150 hours of play therapy instruction
- at least 350 hours of direct client contact under the supervision of a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor
- 35 hours of supervision
- all of it completed over two to ten years
RPTs renew every year and complete 24 hours of play therapy continuing education every three years.
RPT-S (Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor) adds three years as an RPT, 3,000 client hours after licensure, 500 more hours of play therapy experience, state approval to supervise and supervisor training.
3. Search for a play therapist
- APT’s Find a Play Therapist directory, on a4pt.org, lists credentialed play therapists. APT’s site blocked automated reading, so we couldn’t confirm its filters.
- State associations: the Georgia Association for Play Therapy (gapt.org) has a find-a-play-therapist page and information for parents. The Alabama Association for Play Therapy (alabamaplaytherapy.org) is a state branch of APT. We didn’t find state branch websites for Tennessee or Kentucky.
- LunahUP: search your city for therapists who see children, and filter by age group.
Check the therapist’s license on your state board’s site too. Our fit guide explains how.
4. Ask a play therapist these questions
- “Are you a Registered Play Therapist, or what play therapy training do you have?”
- “Which ages do you usually work with?”
- “Do you use directive, nondirective or filial play therapy?”
- “How will you involve me as the parent, and how often will we talk?”
- “How long are sessions, and how many do you expect?”
5. Plan for play therapy’s cost and format
Play therapy is billed like other child therapy. Many health plans cover it when it’s part of treating a diagnosed condition. Our insurance guide explains how.
For children who’ve been through trauma, also see our trauma-focused CBT guide. For autism evaluation and services, see our autism guide.
The short version
- Play therapy uses play as the core of therapy, typically for ages 2 to 12.
- It can be nondirective, directive or filial, where parents learn the skills.
- A Registered Play Therapist has a clinical license, 150 hours of play therapy training and 350 supervised hours.
- Georgia and Alabama have state play therapy associations.
Questions before your next step
What is play therapy?
The Association for Play Therapy defines it as the systematic use of a theoretical model in which trained play therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients.
Link to this answerWhat ages is play therapy for?
APT says play therapists typically work with children ages 2 to 12.
Link to this answerWhat is a Registered Play Therapist?
An RPT is a licensed mental health professional with at least 150 hours of play therapy instruction and 350 supervised client hours, credentialed by the Association for Play Therapy.
Link to this answerWhat is filial therapy?
APT describes filial therapy as play therapy where the therapist teaches parents to use play therapy skills with their own child.
Link to this answerSources & approach
LunahUP Directory wrote this guide to explain practical search and appointment choices. Public health and professional references support the general information; the directory’s own workflows describe how LunahUP works. Provider-specific facts are supplied on the linked profiles. This guide has not been clinically reviewed and does not offer individual medical advice.
- Georgia Association for Play Therapy (gapt.org)
- Georgia Association for Play Therapy (gapt.org), part 2
- Georgia Association for Play Therapy, Alabama Association for Play Therapy
To suggest a correction, use directory support.
