Registered Play Therapist® vs. A Therapist Who Uses Play Therapy: What’s the Difference?
When I first began working with children as a therapist, I quickly realized something important: children don’t experience the world—or express themselves—the way adults do. Asking a child to “talk about their feelings” often misses the mark. But when I sat on the floor with them, followed their lead in play, and really listened to what their play was communicating, everything changed.
That realization is what led me to pursue becoming a Registered Play Therapist® (RPT®)
Discovering the Power of Play
Early in my career, I used play in sessions because it helped children feel more comfortable. We played games, used art supplies, and explored toys together. But I began noticing that children were telling rich, meaningful stories through their play—stories about fear, control, safety, loss, and connection.
I wanted to understand why certain play kept showing up, what it meant, and how to respond in ways that truly supported healing rather than just engagement.
That curiosity led me deeper into the world of play therapy.
Why I Chose Specialized Training
Becoming a Registered Play Therapist® required a significant commitment—advanced coursework, hundreds of hours of play therapy-specific clinical experience, and ongoing supervision focused entirely on play therapy. It was not something I pursued lightly.
I chose this path because I wanted to offer children more than well-intentioned support. I wanted to offer therapy that was:
Developmentally attuned
Grounded in attachment and neuroscience
Responsive to trauma and emotional overwhelm
Respectful of a child’s natural way of communicating
Play therapy is not just “playing with kids.” It is a deeply intentional, evidence-based approach that requires learning how to observe, interpret, and respond to play in ways that foster emotional regulation, resilience, and growth.
Registered Play Therapist® vs. Using Play in Therapy
Many therapists appropriately incorporate play into sessions with children, and play can absolutely be helpful. However, there is a meaningful distinction between using play and being formally trained as a Registered Play Therapist®.
The RPT® credential—granted by the Association for Play Therapy—reflects advanced training specifically in:
Understanding symbolic play and recurring themes
Structuring sessions to support emotional processing
Working with trauma, attachment disruptions, and anxiety through play
Involving parents and caregivers as part of the healing process
For me, earning this credential represented a deepening of my clinical skill and a commitment to meeting children exactly where they are.
How This Impacts Your Child’s Therapy
Children often come to therapy during some of the hardest moments in their lives—big feelings, confusing experiences, changes they didn’t choose. My role is to create a space where they don’t have to find the “right words” to be understood.
As a Registered Play Therapist®, I am listening closely—not just to what your child says, but to what their play is expressing. I am watching for patterns, themes, and shifts that guide the therapeutic process. And I am continually thinking about how to support you as a parent, because meaningful change happens both inside and outside the playroom.
A Personal Note to Parents
If you’re reading this, you’re likely trying to figure out how best to support your child—and that alone tells me how much you care.
My journey to becoming a Registered Play Therapist® was shaped by the children and families I’ve had the privilege to work with. They taught me that play is not “just play.” It is how children heal, make sense of their world, and begin to feel safe again.
It’s an honor to walk alongside families in this work.