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About APT

Association Overview

The Association for Play Therapy (APT) is a national professional society established in 1982 and located in Clovis, California. It is a California mutual benefit corporation exempt from federal taxation per Section 501(c)(6) of the IRS Code. Steady membership growth since its inception has allowed APT to develop into a vibrant organization comprised of professionals in all mental health fields across the world. 

APT has developed a brief video, Play Therapy Works!, that speaks to the value of play, play therapy, credentialed play therapists, and membership in the Association for Play Therapy.

 

Definition of Play Therapy

APT defines play therapy as "the systematic use of a theoretical model to establish an interpersonal process wherein trained play therapists use the therapeutic powers of play to help clients prevent or resolve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal growth and development."

 

Mission Statement

To promote the value of play, play therapy, and credentialed play therapists by advancing the development of mental health of all people including emotional, psychological, and social well-being. As a diverse, equitable, and inclusive professional organization, we embrace:
  • Increased appreciation of play and play therapy by the public
  • Ethical practice of play therapy informed by research, education, and training
  • Recognition of education grounded in seminal and historically significant play therapy theories

Diversity Statement

As an integral component of our organization, APT is committed to achieving and maintaining a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are at our best when these principles are fully embedded in our governance, leadership, and organizational policies.  Our unwavering goal is to generate programs and processes resulting in meaningful and sustainable organizational change and growth. 

 

Clarifying the Use of Play Therapy & Play Therapist

Due to the very nature of play as fun, innate, and effortless, the field of play therapy, in using this “language” as central to its practice, is challenged by the outward appearance of the very serious and theoretical work that is being done. Moreover, play therapy is regarded as an evidence based practice (SAMSHA, 2014) and should only be provided by licensed clinical mental health professionals with a graduate mental health degree and extensive specialized play therapy education, training, and supervised experience.

For this reason, APT encourages its members and registrants to reach out to any party found to be misusing or misrepresenting their products or services as “play therapy.”  Reference our Guidelines for talking points or refer the individual to APT directly.

 

Programs & Benefits Offered by APT

In line with its mission, APT has developed several programs and benefits to advance the field of play therapy as listed below.   

We invite you to explore our website and its various features.

Learn more about play therapy and see how you can partner with APT to share play therapy with others!  Should you have any questions, feel free to contact us. We are here to serve you!