Applied Psychology

Understanding Play Therapy

Explore the historical background, developmental psychology and theoretical underpinnings of play therapy.

R460.00

Learning moments, mom and kid playing together with wooden blocks

Structure

On-demand

Duration

4 hours

Total Hours

4 hours

Start Date

1 January 2026

End Date

31 December 2026

Mode

Self-paced learning

Workshop Introduction

Play therapy offers a way for children and adults to process difficult emotions and learn valuable coping skills, just like you would in traditional psychotherapy.

The Understanding Play Therapy workshop will equip participants with practical knowledge of play therapy, specifically the historical background, developmental psychology and theoretical underpinnings of play therapy.

Key theoretical foundations that will be explored include Attachment Theory, Psychodynamic Theory, Child-Centred approaches based on Axline’s principles, Gestalt theory, Cognitive Behavioural Play Therapy (CBPT) and developmental theories from Erikson and Piaget.

Explore the practical application of therapeutic techniques and tools and learn how to apply basic play therapy techniques.

The workshop will help participants gain insight into ethical and cultural considerations for application, such as obtaining consent, working with parents, ensuring cultural sensitivity and how to deliver safe, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate interventions.

Overview

Introduction of the workshop topic and session overview
Definition and purpose of play therapy
Historical background
Types of play therapy
Attachment theory
Psychodynamic theory
Child-centred theory – Axlines principles
Gestalt theory
CBPT- Cognitive Behavioural play therapy
Erik Erikson’s psychosocial stages
Piaget’s cognitive developmental model
Developmental psychology
How to use toys in sessions
Setting up a play therapy room
Techniques puppets
Case vignette
Consent and confidentiality with minors
Working with parents- psychoeducation and involvement
Cultural sensitivity in play themes and materials

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the workshop participants will be able to:

Understand the different types of play therapy
Identify key theoretical underpinnings
Explore developmental considerations
Describe common tools and techniques used in play therapy
Apply basic play therapy techniques to cases
Recognise ethical and cultural considerations when working with children

Learner Experience

Bongekile Princess Damane

"I walked away from the Understanding Play Therapy workshop feeling inspired and equipped. I now have a clearer understanding of children's emotions and how to support them in a more compassionate and non-judgmental way."

Carmen Allnutt

“I absolutely loved this workshop! It provided me with fresh insights into the various types of play, how children respond differently to each, and how play is connected to the field of psychology. It was one of the most rewarding online courses I’ve done.”

Jo-Anica Fourie

“After completing the workshop, I feel like I've gained a much deeper understanding of how children think and communicate. I now feel more confident meeting children at their level, responding thoughtfully, and recognising the many ways they express themselves.”

Keneilwe Chologi

"This workshop was well-presented, highly informative, and led by someone with real expertise. Personally, I had a great learning experience."

Chantelle Clark

"This workshop offered meaningful insight into how play therapy can be effectively used. Gaining knowledge from professionals with real-world experience made the learning experience both practical and inspiring."

Kimberly-Caron Hendricks

"I thoroughly enjoyed the Understanding Play Therapy CPD workshop. The online platform was easy to navigate, the content was engaging, and the flexibility allowed me to study at my own pace. Even though it was virtual, the workshop felt highly interactive and informative, with practical examples and real-world applications that made the learning experience impactful."

Sesona Kosi

"The Understanding Play Therapy workshop was clear, engaging, and easy to follow. The Zoom sessions ran smoothly, and I walked away with plenty of valuable learning."

Zoe Tarr

"The workshop was well-designed and presented by an outstanding speaker. The multiple-choice questions were manageable, and the journal articles were interesting and informative to read. The overall learning experience was engaging and insightful."

Certification

This CPD workshop has been designed for psychologists, mental health practitioners and anyone interested in gaining knowledge in play therapy and developmental psychology.

The certificate serves as evidence of your new skills and knowledge and can be used to demonstrate your commitment to professional development.

Attend a live online session, or watch the recording, and complete an online reading and assessment.

HPCSA registered professionals will receive 3 CPD points [3 CEU Continuing Education Units points] upon successful completion of the workshop.

Dates and Registration

Class of 2026: on demand

Participants can register at any time and move through the workshop content. Watch the live workshop recording and complete the online journal articles and multiple-choice questionnaire.

NOTE: HPCSA registered professionals who want to claim 3 CPD points [3 CEU Continuing Education Units points] need to complete the online assessment within 5 days after registering.

Workshop Presenter

Sameeha Elias is a Counselling Psychologist based in Cape Town, South Africa and has extensive experience working with children, adolescents and adults. She has a special interest in child psychotherapy and neurodiversity-affirming therapy.

Sameeha is a guest lecturer in the MA Clinical Programme at Stellenbosch University, and she supervises honours psychology students’ research at SACAP.

Course highlights

Man on laptop working and listening to audio

Learn about the historical development of play therapy
Explore the purpose and benefits of play therapy
Discover various types of play therapy approaches and techniques

FAQs

What are the entry requirements?

Anyone 18 years of age or older can sign up for this online workshop. There are no academic entry requirements or conditions.

Who is this workshop for?

This workshop is for you if you want to understand play therapy, its history, application and tools for practical use.

What is the time commitment?

A total of 4 hours is required to complete the workshop.

What do you need to do the workshop?

Access to Microsoft Word
Google Chrome (recommended)
Stable internet connection

Is the workshop assessed?

Learners are required to complete an assessment comprising of reading a journal article and answering a 15-question multiple choice questionnaire.

Is the workshop accredited?

The online workshop is accredited by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).

What is play therapy?

Play is the default way that children express themselves. As their brains and emotional capacities are still developing, they can find it difficult to verbalise feelings and make sense of difficult experiences and situations. Play offers many opportunities for free and spontaneous self-expression and play therapy can be used to address social, emotional, and behavioural difficulties. Read more here.

What can you do after completing this workshop?

HPCSA registered professionals will receive 3 CPD points [3 CEU Continuing Education Units points] upon successful completion of the workshop.

The Team

The SACAP Global team brings a wealth of knowledge and practical experience across various disciplines. Our expert short course developers and dedicated support team are passionate about sharing their insights to help you get the most out of your online learning journey.