International Play Therapy Week, Feb. 4-10

(Humboldt, IA) Licensed mental health professionals throughout the United States are reminding the public of the value of play, Play Therapy, and Registered Play Therapists during International Play Therapy Week, February 4-10, 2024. Originally launched in 2014 as National Play Therapy Week, the Association for Play Therapy (APT) broadened the scope of this very important week by taking it internationally in 2023!

Play is a child’s first language. Just as adults use words to communicate, children use play to express thoughts and feelings that might otherwise remain hidden. Play therapy, a modality of child therapy, is used by

thousands of licensed mental health professionals within and outside of the United States to therapeutically help clients, especially children, to address cognitive, behavioral, and emotional challenges. Licensed professionals include counselors, marriage and family therapists, psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses, and school counselors and psychologists.

Many professionals using play therapy are identified by their Registered Play Therapist^TM (RPT), Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor^TM (RPT-S) or School Based-Registered Play Therapist^TM (SB-RPT) credentials. These credentials require specific play therapy training and experience beyond general licensure requirements.

For more information on play therapy, International Play Therapy Week, or to contact a local play therapist, visit a4pt.org.

 

For local interview:  [Nolan Vitzthum, MSW, LISW, ACSW, RPT-S, 515-332-7672, nolanv@humboldthospital.org]

For national interview or information: Kathryn Lebby, CAE, CMP, President & CEO, (559) 298-3400, x315, klebby@a4pt.org, or www.a4pt.org.

For Why Play Therapy video: http://www.youtube.com/Assn4PlayTherapy.