SPECIAL SECTION
Approved Provider of Play Therapy Continuing Education Program Identifying the Need and Addressing Discrepancies
Fundamentals of an Approved Provider The role of the Approved Provider is to offer post-graduate level, play requirements. While play therapy graduate courses count, many initial applicants and renewing registrants obtain the necessary CE hours through providers. Providers are required to follow the Approved Provider Criteria & Standards found on the APT website to ensure quality training and format.
Effective Approved Providers consider the theoretical, professional, cultural and social diversity components of the credentialing program to support the planning of their educational offerings. They develop play therapy trainings that are provided using an integrative and sequential process for educational planning and provision, meaning there is a process of evaluating programs which allows for improving development, and further strengthening of program implementation.
Supporting the Approved Provider The Approved Provider program has seen some important standards, considering cultural and social diversity, and providing quality training to those seeking specialized play therapy education. At the end of 2022, APT received member feedback which demonstrated a high demand for continuing education hours that were attainable in the aftermath of the pandemic. Continuing education providers were encouraged to offer a well-rounded approach towards their programs and trainings with the incorporation of live specialized webinars.
APT remains committed to supporting providers and increasing play therapy training awareness by promoting the continuing education programs on the APT Training Directory at no additional cost. This online platform is updated on a weekly basis and is the most visited feature on the APT website. Therefore, we encourage providers to advertise their trainings far in advance for the following reasons:
calls from individuals who are interested in taking play therapy trainings. APT Staff directs them to the APT Training Directory.
2. The APT Training Directory is regularly promoted via APT’s weekly e-newsletter, PlayToday, as a news item that points members to the directory and training categories.
3. PlayToday and the APT website homepage include an ad that highlights the APT Training Directory.
4. Advertising far in advance allows potential attendees enough time to plan for necessary accommodations.
Meeting the Needs of Registrants and Initial Applicants APT received positive member feedback regarding the incorporation they receive from the play therapy education and training providers. However, there continues to be a high demand for in-person training. We encourage providers to consider this need when developing their continuing education programs. While providers measure the gap providers must also take into account the three training categories of minimum/maximum hours per category. This helps create positive rapport and support for individuals in their credentialing journey.
Initial applicants and renewing providers aim to increase play therapy competencies that improve mental health services to the most vulnerable populations, especially children, and contribute to the profession. Having a solid program evaluation process in place helps identify topic interests and needs. The evaluation process might look different based on the depth and breadth of each play therapy program. Nonetheless, gathering member feedback serves as a data- driven needs assessment that is meant to facilitate the program planning process.
Conclusion Approved Providers. These statistics include hours awarded under the temporary exception, and the latter incorporation of live webinars. We look forward to analyzing the current climate of continuing education programs, and how this data impact the credentialing program as a whole. Understanding that Approved providers are the leading force in educating the next generation of competent play therapists, we invite you to consider cultural and social diversity components, the theoretical foundations of the credentialing program, and best practices set forth by APT to provide quality training to those seeking specialized play therapy education.
Have questions? Contact Jaqueline Rosales, Education & Training Manager,
jrosales@a4pt.org
www.a4pt.org | June 2023 | PLAYTHERAPY | 3
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