MA Course

Our flagship QQI Level 9 programme equips you to become a fully qualified Psychotherapist and Play Therapist, with dual accreditation and a deep, integrative approach to working with children, adolescents, and their families.

We are the only institution in Ireland where you can gain a dual qualification as Play Therapist and Psychotherapit with full academic and professional validation. This has been acknowledged and applauded by a wide range of professional accreditation and registration bodies. We operate to the very highest academic and professional training standards, fully meeting the standards set by Quality and Qualification Ireland (QQI); The Irish Association for Play Therapy and Psychotherapy (IAPTP); the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP) and the European Association of Integrative Psychotherapy (EAIP).

MA in Creative Psychotherapy and Play Therapy

This is the first accredited programme of its kind in Ireland to offer a comprehensive, experiential training in Play Therapy as part of a fully professionally recognised MA qualification in Psychotherapy, with a major emphasis on Play Therapy. **Please Note: Applications for the 2026 have been processed. Applications received now will be held for the 2027 intake.**

Your Path to Professional Growth

Easily select, book, and complete your training with CTC. Our flexible courses provide the skills, certification, and confidence needed to advance your career in Play Therapy, Therapeutic Play and Psychotherapy.
Select Course
Choose from a range of flexible, practical training options designed to fit your needs. Learn at your pace and enhance your therapeutic skills effectively!
Book Course
Browse, book, and begin your training with ease. Choose the right course for you and start learning today!
Certificate
Gain official certification to showcase your skills and enhance your career opportunities in play therapy and psychotherapy!

Other Courses

Take your skills to the next level with our specialised postgraduate certificates and diplomas, designed for qualified professionals in the field.

Certificate in Therapeutic Play Practice

The Certificate in Therapeutic Play Practice is a 30 credit QQI Level 6 Specific Purpose Award (PG25579) comprised of two, 15 credit, minor awards: Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills (PG25614); Certificate in Nature-Based Therapeutic Play (PG256...

Diploma in Sandtray Therapy and Symbolic Expression

The 2027 course is starting on the 10th February – Applications are now OPEN!

This exciting Diploma course will bring you deep into the world of projective play and the use of symbols as therapeutic agents with psychotherapy and counselling clients. Participants engage in experiential sessions utilising sandtray therapy, spectrograms, and the use of symbols. The training is relevant for therapists working with adults, adolescents, and/or children.  The course is IACP CPD Approved for 84 CPD Points. It is also suitable CPD for therapists and counsellors accredited with different professional bodies.

Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills

Blended Learning Training Course – Offered Live Online & In Person

Therapeutic Play Skills is a QQI Level 6 Minor Award (15 credits, PG25614) offered on a part-time basis which will equip the learner with the relevant knowledge, skill and competence to plan, deliver and evaluate both group and individual play based interventions.

Principles of Art Therapy Certificate

Crawford College of Art & Design (MTU) Award delivered by CTC, Leixlip based course, starting again January 2027 The aim of the validated course is to develop an understanding of the main principles of Art Therapy and enhance personal and profess...

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).

Don’t Just Take Our Word for It

Hear from past trainees about their experience at CTC and how our courses have supported their personal and professional growth.

The MA in Creative Psychotherapy and Play Therapy offered by The Children’s Therapy Centre is second to none. It is enlightening! This MA sparked a love of learning in me and ignited so many passions that my life has completely changed for the better. The emphasis placed on personal development is of equal importance to professional development…imagine a course where you take time to get to rediscover your own authenticity and learn who you were before the world told you who to be. People frequently tell me “I am a fountain of knowledge,” the source of this knowledge was CTC. I will be forever grateful that I learned how to parent with kindness, creativity and compassion. It is such a privilege to be part of a child’s journey and speak their language of ‘play.’ I recommend this MA wholeheartedly.

CTC MA Graduate

‘The MA in Creative Psychotherapy, specialising in play therapy is a unique course that masterfully integrates the depth of psychotherapeutic theory with developmentally appropriate, creative approaches to work with children and adolescents effectively. The trainers bring a wealth of expertise, ensuring that every aspect of the course is delivered to the highest professional standard. Their ability to bridge academic knowledge with real-world therapeutic application is invaluable and allowed me to feel confident in my practice from an early stage. The staff’s ongoing innovation and commitment to maintaining alignment with evolving regulatory standards ensure that the course remains both relevant and forward-thinking. It is also important to mention, the course fosters significant personal growth, encouraging deep self-reflection alongside professional skill development. This MA is an immersive, enriching experience that equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and personal insight to work in the field of child and adolescent psychotherapy’

MA Graduate

I completed the Therapeutic Play Skills Certificate course with the lovely Cathy at CTC. It was such a wonderful and rich experience. A fabulous mix of experiential learning – games, role play, self reflection, and so much fun and creativity! It was a completely new way of learning for me. The course was a real eye opener, both personally as a parent, and professionally, and was a very important stepping stone towards a new and exciting career path.

Therapeutic Play Skills Certificate Graduate

CTC is the third time I’ve been to college. I used to like the idea of college, learning & broadening my mind, however I never had the focus to really experience or enjoy it.

Fast forward to 2022 when I signed up to take part in the Therapeutic Play Skills Certificate course, that was it, I was hooked! I applied to the MA in Creative Psychotherapy the following year.

I had found an educational centre that taught in a way that reached out to all learning styles. I have never learned the way I have in CTC. My body learns alongside my brain, giving me a much deeper understanding. I get giddy when I think about it. I want the whole world to know this way of learning. When I got accepted on the MA, I said “I feel like someone has told me Hogwarts is real & I can go learn magic”. I am learning magic!

As well as learning in the class environment we get to develop and learn through our work placement, supervision, personal psychotherapy and through mediums such as sand, toys, movement and more. This isn’t just an academic course for me, it is a new way of life. One that breaks through barriers & promotes allowing children to simply “be” …all they can be.

Y2 MA Student

“My training with CTC has changed my life for the better, in so many ways. This course, the amazing colleagues, lecturers and the experiential and humanistic lens through which it is delivered, means that you are always growing, learning and challenging yourself in a most supportive community. Training with CTC has added so much to my life already, both professionally and personally, in terms of self-discovery, relationships, understanding of behaviours in myself and others, and even my parenting skills!” (Which have gladly much improved since!) I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to study with CTC!”

 

MA Graduate

My CTC experience was nothing short of excellent. Now that I have transitioned out of CTC and established my private practice while also working as a psychotherapist in an organization, I feel immense gratitude for the comprehensive training I received. The quality of education and support at CTC truly is second to none. I am excited about the upcoming short courses and CPD opportunities, as there is always fantastic training and new information to learn. The commitment to ongoing professional development at CTC is remarkable, and I look forward to continuing my journey with them. Thank you, CTC, for equipping me with the skills and knowledge to thrive in my career!

CTC MA Graduate

Having just completed the Therapeutic Play Skills course, I have come away from this experience with skills and knowledge that can be transferred to every aspect of my life, from my own children, to adults, and children I work with. These skills have taught me the power of truly listening compassionately to another little human.

Our group spent seven days together; this was spread out over a three-month period. Each weekend brought a different element of play from making puppets, creating therapeutic stories, creative storytelling and lots more. This course is unique as you are provided with a safe space, resources and freedom to express yourself in a fun and playful way.

I would highly recommend this course to anyone who wants to learn how to connect with children in a meaningful way. I have come away from this course with so much confidence and self-esteem from being surrounded by likeminded people and learning new skills. I have enjoyed this course so much that I am going to apply for the Masters in Psychotherapy and Play Therapy this year. It was a truly amazing experience. Thank you so much CTC for giving me amazing memories that I will treasure for ever.

TPS Graduate

CTC isn’t just a course, it’s the heart and soul of Play Therapy in this country.

MA Graduate

Looking for Something Shorter?

Explore our wide range of flexible short courses—perfect for professional development, CPD, or getting started in the field.
Children’s Therapy Centre (CTC) is Ireland’s longest established leading provider of training in the field of Play Therapy, Therapeutic Play, and Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy.
Our centre
Children’s Therapy Centre
Stewart House
Lonsdale Road,
National Technology Park,
Plassey, Limerick.
V94 KN70, Ireland
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