TRAINING PROGRAMME
Play and Story Therapy Certificate Programme
Explore communication with children through play and stories in a two-part, 120-hour professional development programme.
ABOUT THE PROGRAMME
A step towards your goals.
A 120-hour professional development programme combining approaches to communication with children through play, stories and creative activities.
Play therapy approaches · 60 hours
Study psychological foundations of play, developmental stages, child-centred and directed approaches, materials and play spaces. Parent interviews, boundaries and case analysis are included.
Stories and storytelling · 60 hours
Explore age-appropriate stories, emotional awareness, social skills, metaphors and symbolic narratives. Interactive storytelling, puppets, creative drama and planning original story activities are covered.
Respect professional boundaries
The programme develops communication and supportive-activity skills within participants’ existing qualifications. It does not grant psychotherapy authority. Confidentiality, ethics and appropriate referral are integral.
What you will learn
- Recognise play-based communication and observation approaches
- Plan developmentally appropriate activities
- Use stories for educational and supportive purposes
- Develop communication with children and parents
- Recognise ethics, confidentiality and referral boundaries
Who is it for?
Psychologists, clinical psychologists, psychological counsellors, child development specialists, preschool, primary and special education teachers, social workers, family counsellors, psychiatrists, education professionals working with children, and students in relevant university departments. Activities must remain within existing professional qualifications.
Programme curriculum
01 Introduction to Play Therapy
Psychological foundations of play and its role in child development.
02 Child Psychology and Play
Developmental stages, emotional and behavioural development, and communication with children.
03 Play Therapy Approaches
Child-centred approaches, directed play and therapeutic play techniques.
04 Play Therapy Techniques
Play spaces and materials, the play process, parent interviews and boundaries.
05 Practice and Case Analysis
Case examples, role play, ethics and referral.
06 Introduction to Story Therapy
Psychological and educational functions of stories and narrative approaches.
07 Stories in Child Development
Age-appropriate story selection, emotional awareness and social skills.
08 Metaphor and Symbolic Narrative
Story structure, metaphors, characters and symbols.
09 Storytelling and Practice Techniques
Interactive storytelling, puppets, creative drama and developing original stories.
10 Applied Story Activities
Case examples, planning story activities, ethical boundaries and evaluation.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Career opportunities and application areas
Potential work settings
Preschools, nurseries, rehabilitation and special education settings, counselling and child development centres, family support services, municipal and social-service projects, children’s workshops, storytelling and creative drama activities. Role-specific degree and legal requirements apply.
Roles depend on existing education, experience, qualifications and applicable requirements. Employment is not guaranteed.
Certificate requirements
Complete the programme and its required assessments to become eligible. Certificate scope and recognition depend on the issuing institution and programme.
Participants who successfully complete the programme and assessment requirements receive a training certificate. It documents completed training and does not alone grant a regulated professional title or authority.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Frequently asked questions
How long is the programme?
The play and story sections are 60 hours each, totalling 120 hours.
How many modules are there?
There are 10 modules: 5 focused on play and 5 on stories.
What does the play section cover?
Development, play approaches, materials, parent interviews, boundaries and cases are included.
What does the story section cover?
Age-appropriate stories, metaphors, interactive storytelling, puppets, drama and activity planning are included.
Who is it for?
Professionals working with children in psychology, counselling, child development, teaching, special education and social work, and relevant students.
Does it alone grant therapist status?
No. Psychotherapy requires the appropriate existing degree and legal professional authority.
How can teachers use these approaches?
They can support age-appropriate play, stories and communication within their existing role boundaries.
Are ethics and confidentiality included?
Ethics, confidentiality, boundaries and appropriate referral are included.
Are cases and activity exercises included?
Case examples, role play and planning play and story activities are covered.
Does the certificate guarantee a job or right to practise?
No. Degrees, professional authority, legal requirements and the role’s conditions still apply.