Certificate in Nature-Based Therapeutic Play

Certificate in Nature-Based Therapeutic Play

Exploring the Therapeutic Powers of Nature-Based Play

A blended-learning course comprising online sessions containing demonstration and theory of best practice, and experiential directed study tasks, leading to the QQI Level 6, 15 credit, Certificate in Nature-Based Therapeutic Play (PG25605).

August 2025 Details

March 2026 Details

This experiential course is designed to equip healthcare, social care, or education professionals with knowledge, confidence and skills to use nature-based therapeutic play in their current role and current practice with individuals, small nurture groups and families. This includes teachers, therapists, project workers, social workers, childcare workers and others whose professional life brings them into regular contact with children, adolescents, and/or adults, including those considered to be vulnerable and at risk/in crisis.

It is suitable for professionals who wish to gain a recognised award in the area of therapeutic play with the emphasis on both indoor and outdoor nature-based play. The NBTP Course addresses many forms of nature-based play for use both outdoors and indoors, play to support emotion regulation, and a variety of models and frameworks to both conceptualise and aid in the planning of therapeutic play for both groups and individuals. It also addresses professional practice and scope of practice to ensure ethical implementation in various settings.

It builds on core skills to enable more effective interactions with clients with reference to age, stage of development, and current needs and priorities, while building knowledge, skills and competence to incorporate play, natural materials, and creative interventions to support development, build resiliency, and address challenges with a variety of client groups.  Opportunities to engage in activities that promote personal development, increase personal awareness, and prepare participants to become more confident in their professional identity are provided.

The programme delves deeply into the impact of nature-based play in:

• promoting positive mental health;
• facilitating social and emotional development,
• overcoming struggles and stressful experiences; and
• building resiliency.

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this course, participants will have completed and developed knowledge and competence in:

• Applying knowledge and understanding of the therapeutic powers of play and how playing in and with nature supports holistic development.
• Experiencing and reflecting on 2 experiential play activities for immersion and orientation in nature.
• Demonstrating the potential for natural materials to support structured therapeutic play activities indoors.
• Apply learning regarding the value of risk and how to balance risk and benefit to plan and implement a child led group play session in a natural space outdoors.
• Developing a range of creative ideas in different modalities to support outdoor therapeutic play for a group of children, adolescents or adults.
• Incorporating nature based therapeutic play into their own professional role, including scope of practice, ethical and inclusion considerations, and health & safety.

Dates

Certificate in Nature-Based Therapeutic Play runs over 7 Saturdays from 09:30 – 13:30. Please check individual course information files for specific dates.

Students will also engage in activities linked to the theme of each unit (7 hours); a series of directed study tasks (10 hours); and independent learning.

Cost

The course fee is €700. A discount of €110 applies to those completing this course plus the Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills to achieve the Certificate in Therapeutic Play Practice, a full Level 6 Special Purpose Award. If you have previously completed CTC’s Therapeutic Play Skills Certificate course, please include details of when and where you did so in your email application for the NBPT Course,

Discounted Payment Plans (TPS holders)

Standard Payment Plans (Non TPS holders)

Participants are required to have the following tools for online sessions.

Space and technology:

• A confidential space without interruptions or distractions
• A computer or other suitable device that can use Zoom (e.g. i pad, desktop, laptop), with built in, or external, microphone, speaker and camera.  have screen size that facilitate clear viewing of course material and participants, and engagement and interaction with peers, and utilising a split screen so as to concurrently view the virtual classroom and any related material that you may wish to open separately on your device.
• Stable internet connection (download speed of 1.5Mbps)
• A sound cancelling headset can be useful

Note: If you have difficulties with sound (microphone or volume) on computer, use of external microphone and/or speakers may work better than adding a second devise.

And creative materials that include:

• A4 paper and scissors
• Art materials – g. crayons, colouring pencils, markers
• Small toys and props

The trainer will advise participants of additional resources to have to hand for each session.

Moodle: Each learner is given access to the online platform with additional resources over the duration of the course. This includes access to the material for each course, Online Library and Resources, and Academic Writing Support.

Applications

Applications are accepted by letter/email giving details of the applicant’s name, address, email and phone numbers, educational background, current employment, and reasons for wishing to complete the course. Proof of identity in the form of (scan of official photo id, e.g. passport) is required.  Email application to ctcsiobhan@gmail.com.  If you have previously completed CTC’s Therapeutic Play Skills Certificate course, please provide details of when and where you do this in your application email. You can then avail of the discounted price and be registered for the full Certificate in Therapeutic Play Practice, a full Level 6 Special Purpose Award.

The course requires verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills in English, equivalent to QQI level 5. If English is an applicant’s second language, they must demonstrate proficiency at B2 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). We have prepared an Inherent Requirements document for prospective students.

Outline Content

Each student builds a portfolio of evidence of their learning, uploads the portfolio by the submission date and presents their portfolio to the group in the final session.

• Experience and reflect on two (out of three examples provided) experiential activities in nature that meet the sensory and regulatory needs of a child, adolescent or adult, with reference to key theory.
• Select natural materials and demonstrate how they can support therapeutic play indoors using the EPR framework.
• Complete a risk/benefit analysis for a nature-based group play session for children, adolescents, or adults in a natural space outdoors
• Plan, deliver and evaluate a group play session in a natural space outdoors.

Cancellations: In the event of any cancellation a booking fee of €100 will be retained. Full fee is non-refundable in the event of cancellations within 3 weeks of the event, You may nominate another eligible person to take your place – simply notify us and provide us with their contact details.