Ireland's foremost provider of training in Play Therapy
Whether you're expanding your skills, or starting a new career as a Play Therapist and Psychotherapist, we have the training for you. From short courses to a full Masters, we have professionally and academically recognised training for all levels across the country.
Academically & Professionally recognised
We are the only institution in Ireland where you can gain a dual qualification as a Play Therapist and Psychotherapist with full academic and professional validation. We offer QQI awards at both Level 6 and Masters Level 9 and have professional recognition by both IAHIP and IAPTP. Ours is the only humanistic and integrative child and adolescent training to hold such accreditation.
Courses for all levels and all localities
We run courses across the country, and for all levels. From short introductory and professional development courses, to our QQI Level 6 Theraputic Play Skills Certificate all the way to our Masters-level professional qualification, we ensure our courses are accessible to everyone regardless of where they are based in Ireland.
Expand your employment potential
There is a large and growing demand for people with play therapy training. Our short courses and QQI Level 6 Certificate provides new skills to incorporate into your current work, while our Masters Level course opens up a whole new profession as a much sought-after Psychotherapist with a specialisation in Play Therapy with statutory services, NGO’s, or working in private practice
Frequently Asked Questions
Play Therapy is a powerful form of therapy that recognises children’s play as more than just fun; it is a language through which they communicate and develop. Rather than seeking to apply standard adult talk-therapy methods to children, play therapy seeks to engage with them at their own level, developing a strong relationship with the child through the medium of play, and through that help children prevent or resolve a wide array of psychosocial difficulties so they can achieve their potential. >> Read More >>
A play therapist is someone trained to communicate with children through the medium of play. A psychotherapist is a mental health professional who is accredited and/or registered to provide psychological treatment to clients with complex emotional needs.
A play therapist that is not also a psychotherapist, or other mental health professional, uses play therapy to work with children who do not have clinical issues, for instance, they may work with children with developmental challenges and those who are struggling with changes in their lives. The aim is to promote emotional wellbeing and help children adjust to new situations so that they can regain the happiness and security that may have been lost due to a difficult experience such as a bereavement, illness, or single incident trauma.
At CTC we believe it is best for play therapists to also be psychotherapists. This means that they are trained mental health professionals able to provide developmental and therapeutic play, play therapy, and psychological treatment to clients across the spectrum of need including those with significant clinical issues and those with complex histories including multiple traumas. >> Read More >>
What Others Have to Say
Announcements
- 19April 19, 2020
ONLINE COURSE: Play Therapy Techniques
https://childrenstherapycentre.ie/event/claremorris-play-therapy-techniques-2-2-2/This is an online course, so participants are required to have: a headset or confidential room to participate in, a computer or other suitable device (e.g. iPad) ideally with a microphone & camera, and uninterrupted wi-fi connection.
Facilitator:
Emer McDonaghLecturersQualifications: SIAPTP Role: Lecturer Emer holds an MA in Humanistic & Integrative Psychotherapy and Play Therapy and a BA (HONS) in Applied Social Studies in Social Care. She has extensive experience working with children who have experienced domestic violence and also with non residential parents and their children, maintaining and promoting quality contact. Emer has been involved in the Daphne III programme Responding to Child Parent Violence action research project, training in Non Violent Resistance and the Break 4 Change programme targeting services to families affected by Child Parent Violence. Emer has also completed Intensive Filial Therapy Training, and mindfulness training. Emer also provides a family support role with families affected by meningitis. She has developed a number of workshops to support adults such as “You, Your Thoughts & Your ACTions”, addressing stress and anxiety, “Don’t Just Survive, Thrive!, parenting children affected by Meningitis”. She has also developed and facilitated workshops to support whole families including “Reconnecting after Meningitis” and the sibling support workshop “Me Too!”. Emer has worked with the Brothers of Charity services and been involved in a number of Humanitarian aid projects in both Ethiopia and Peru. Currently Emer is in private practice at Acorns 2 Oaks Therapy Services and also provides trainings for professionals working with vulnerable children. Emer facilitates our Level 6 Therapeutic Play Skills Certificate in Galway and also works as a CTC supervisor.
- 17July 17, 2020
Online: An Introduction to Sensory Attachment Intervention
https://childrenstherapycentre.ie/event/online-an-introduction-to-sensory-attachment-intervention/ - 09August 9, 2020
Online Course: Supporting children, teenagers, and families through parental separation and divorce
https://childrenstherapycentre.ie/event/dunlaoighre-supporting-children-teenagers-and-families-through-parental-separation-and-divorce/You can choose to pay only a €50 deposit now, with the remainder automatically charged three weeks prior to the course beginning.
- 10September 10, 2020
6th course: 4 Part Online Course: The Regulation Tool-Kit
https://childrenstherapycentre.ie/event/4part-online-course-the-regulation-tool-kit-2-2-2-2-2/ - 19September 19, 2020
Leixlip: Play Therapy Techniques
https://childrenstherapycentre.ie/event/claremorris-play-therapy-techniques-2-2/Leixlip (Our Lady's Nativity Parish Centre)Our Lady's Nativity, Leixlip, Co. Kildare, IrelandYou can choose to pay only a €50 deposit now, with the remainder automatically charged three weeks prior to the course beginning.
Facilitator:
Emer McDonaghLecturersQualifications: SIAPTP Role: Lecturer Emer holds an MA in Humanistic & Integrative Psychotherapy and Play Therapy and a BA (HONS) in Applied Social Studies in Social Care. She has extensive experience working with children who have experienced domestic violence and also with non residential parents and their children, maintaining and promoting quality contact. Emer has been involved in the Daphne III programme Responding to Child Parent Violence action research project, training in Non Violent Resistance and the Break 4 Change programme targeting services to families affected by Child Parent Violence. Emer has also completed Intensive Filial Therapy Training, and mindfulness training. Emer also provides a family support role with families affected by meningitis. She has developed a number of workshops to support adults such as “You, Your Thoughts & Your ACTions”, addressing stress and anxiety, “Don’t Just Survive, Thrive!, parenting children affected by Meningitis”. She has also developed and facilitated workshops to support whole families including “Reconnecting after Meningitis” and the sibling support workshop “Me Too!”. Emer has worked with the Brothers of Charity services and been involved in a number of Humanitarian aid projects in both Ethiopia and Peru. Currently Emer is in private practice at Acorns 2 Oaks Therapy Services and also provides trainings for professionals working with vulnerable children. Emer facilitates our Level 6 Therapeutic Play Skills Certificate in Galway and also works as a CTC supervisor.
