The Many Hats of Supervision:


Balancing Administration and Clinical Growth for Early Career Play Therapists


| MICHELLE M. PLISKE, DSW, LCSW, RPT-S™ & JAMIE A. WATSON, MA, LMFT, RPT-S™ E


        graduate-level training in theory and a desire to support children and families. In these initial stages, they learn to


activate the therapeutic powers of play, creating meaningful change         Once in practice, however, clinicians quickly realize that clinical skill is only one facet of the work.


4 | PLAYTHERAPY | June 2026 | www.a4pt.org


New play


therapists are expected to navigate supervision


expectations, documentation standards, billing systems, parent expectations, productivity requirements, licensing regulations, and ethical decision-making, all while simultaneously integrating                 


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