In this training we’ll start with a brief overview of some of the fundamental aspects of play therapy, including an introduction to Directive versus Non-Directive Play.

Then, we’ll dive into the practical questions that often come up when people first start to work with kids. Questions like, “What do I do when a child just wants to play the same game, like UNO, over and over again?” and, “How can I assess play?”

Simulated Session: This course includes simulated parent consults between the instructor, Kelly Alley, and a client’s parent (played by an actor). In the first simulated parent consult, we’ll demonstrate how to explain play therapy to a parent. In the second simulated parent consult, the parent asks to meet because he’s concerned about a lack of progress with his daughter. We’ll explore how to talk with a parent about their concerns.

Course curriculum

    1. Welcome to the Course!

    2. Our Plan

    1. Overview: What is Play Therapy?

    2. Defining Play Therapy

    3. How Play Therapy Can Help

    4. Developmental Stages: Piaget

    5. Developmental Stages: Parten

    6. Directive vs. Non-Directive Play

    7. What Does A Play Therapy Space Look Like?

    1. Overview: Working with Children

    2. How do I introduce a child to the play space? How do I explain what it is?

    3. How Do I Invite a Child to Do a Drawing of Their Family? And How Do I Respond to It?

    4. How Can I Assess Play?

    5. What Do I Do When Kids Strongly Prefer One Activity?

    6. When I Play Games...Should I Let Kids Win?

    7. In Non-Directive Play, What Does Intervention Look Like?

    8. Things Are Getting Broken...How Do I Set Limits?

    9. When Play Becomes Overwhelming to a Child

    10. How Do I End Sessions When I'm Doing Play Therapy?

    1. Overview: Working with the Larger System

    2. How Do I Explain Play Therapy to a Parent/Caregiver?

    3. Simulated Session: Explaining Play Therapy to a Parent

    4. What If a Child Doesn't Want to Meet with Me Without Their Parent Present?

    5. What If a Parent Won't Let Me Meet Alone With Their Child?

    6. How Much Confidentiality Can I Promise a Child?

    7. Things Are Going Well...But a Parent Just Called to End Therapy...

    8. Simulated Session: Upset Parent Consult

    1. Overview: Review

    2. Review

    3. Bibliography

    4. Nice Work!

    1. Overview: Posttest

    2. Posttest

    3. Course Evaluation Overview

    4. Course Evaluation: Play Therapy for Beginners (Course Created 1/20/26)

    5. Congratulations!

About this course

  • $29.00
  • 2.5 CE Credits (Clinical)
  • Online, self-paced, noninteractive course

Meet the Instructor

Kelly Alley, LICSW is an independent clinical social worker and licensed school social worker/adjustment counselor with over 20 years of experience in the field of social work. She has professional experiences as a school adjustment counselor, special education team chair, outpatient clinician, program coordinator of an adult substance abuse program, and home based clinician. Throughout her career she’s worked with children, families, and adults, and has spent the last 7 years doing school-based work with children.

Course Details

Credits: This course offers 2.5 clinical continuing education credits.

Cost: $29

Format: This is an online, self-paced, noninteractive course that includes reading and recorded videos (asynchronous hybrid course).

Registration: To register for this course, click the "Buy Now" button. This course is self-paced, so you can join at any time after completing your registration and payment.

Practice Level: Beginner

Target Audience: This course is designed for clinical social workers with limited experience working with children.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this training, you will learn to:

  • Define play therapy and explain why it’s helpful for young clients over traditional talk therapy.

  • Compare and contrast different play therapy techniques to assess what might be most helpful for a client.

  • Describe techniques for explaining play therapy to parents/caregivers and engaging them in the work with clients.

Additional Information

Refund & Cancellation Policy: GetPractice will fully refund requests from learners who have not completed a course. If a learner has completed all requirements of a course and received their certificate of completion, they are no longer eligible for a refund. 

Accessibility: Please email [email protected] to discuss any questions or requests regarding accessibility & accommodations. 

System Requirements: This course is hosted on the GetPractice site. To complete the course and all required course materials, learners will login to the GetPractice course site. Learners will need a computer or smartphone and an internet connection to complete the course.

Course Completion Requirements: To complete the course and receive their certificate of credit, learners will complete all online lessons in the course, a posttest (a passing score of 80% is required, learners can retake the test if needed), and a course evaluation. Once these components are successfully completed, the learner’s certificate of credit will be available immediately on the course page and in their learner account.

Availability Notice: This course is currently available to customers located in the United States.

Questions or Concerns: Please reach out to [email protected] 

Course Creation Date: February 12, 2026

GetPractice LLC, provider #2517, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period:11/14/25-11/14/26. Social workers completing this course receive 2.5 clinical continuing education credits.