Advance Your Practice
with Specialist Training

Our Practitioner Awards are designed to support qualified therapists, counsellors, and mental health professionals in deepening their knowledge, expanding their skills, and evolving their clinical practice. Whether you’re looking to work with new client groups, adopt innovative therapeutic models, or step into a supervisory role, our professionally recognised Diploma and Certificate courses offer immersive, experiential learning grounded in best practice. Delivered by expert trainers, each course blends theory and practical application to ensure you’re confident and competent in your work. CPD Certificates are issued on successful completion of each course.

Practitioner Certificate in Creative Therapy with Emerging Adults

The intensive blended learning course explores the unique developmental tasks, mental health challenges, and therapeutic needs of emerging adults, commonly seen as spanning the years between 18 and mid- to late-20’s.  Participants will develop expertise in trauma-informed and neurodivergent-sensitive approaches, creative methodologies, and short-term therapeutic interventions. Through a combination of in-person and online learning, including case presentations, peer supervision, and small group supervision, participants will engage with experiential learning, practical casework, and cutting-edge research. We will integrate theory with practice, drawing on neuroscience, attachment theory, creative and expressive arts therapy to offer a holistic approach to supporting emerging adults.

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.

Practitioner Certificate: Responding Therapeutically to Child Sexual Abuse

If you are interested in completing this Certificate course please register your interest today.

This training introduces a range of interventions and approaches to facilitate therapy with young clients and with adults with whom talking therapy is not enough.  We explore the use of creative mediums, non-directive approaches and focused intervention.  This course is IACP CPD Approved for 66 CPD Points. It is also suitable CPD for therapists and counsellors accredited with different professional bodies.

Diploma in Creative Supervision

The 2026 course is underway. We will launch the next course over the coming months. Please register your interest below.

We will notify all who have registered their interest as soon as we have confirmed the next course dates.

Our Diploma in Creative Supervision focuses on utilising new and innovative approaches utilising the creative arts, lateral thinking, and playful activities in the supervision process. This course is suitable for therapists and counsellors adopting a variety of approaches in their work, regardless of the specific core training that they have undertaken. It is also suitable for other professionals who work in a supervisory capacity.

CTC Training in Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT): A 10-Session Filial Therapy Model for Groups

The 2026 course is underway. We will launch the next course over the coming months. Please register your interest below.

We will notify all who have registered their interest as soon as we have confirmed the next course dates.

This intensive four-day training in the manualised CPRT model will focus on solidifying your CCPT skills, and on the dynamic relationship facets of training parents to be therapeutic agents in their children’s lives. Course trainers include Dr Sue Bratton, Lisa Gordon Clarke, Liz Hancock, and Cathy O’Byrne

 

Multi-Sensory Trauma Processing (MTP ©) and EMDR Principles Across the Lifespan

The 2025 -2026 course is underway. We will launch the next course over the coming months. Please register your interest below.

This exciting training programme explores the use of two core models to address and resolve trauma – Multi-Sensory Trauma Processing Model (MTP) and Eye movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy The course is designed for professionals working with adults, adolescents and/or children over three years who have experienced traumatic events and are exhibiting PTSD symptoms. The Course is IACP CPD Approved for 48 CPD Points. It is also suitable CPD for therapists and counsellors accredited with different professional bodies.

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!

Ready to Continue Your
Educational Journey?

Build on your Practitioner Awards and explore our QQI Certificates and Short Courses —
advance your professional journey with Ireland’s leading training provider.

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

“Since qualifying from the MA & working in Psychotherapy, attending CPD trainings with CTC has been a transformative experience for my practice. I continue to gain new insights, learning & resources, that have directly enhanced my therapeutic skills. I’ve gained a deeper understanding in more specialised areas & the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals has expanded my confidence and competence. These trainings have truly enriched my ability to support my clients & their families in a more holistic and effective way, allowing me to offer them the best care possible.”

CPD Attendee

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

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

“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

I could not recommend the Therapeutic Play Skills Certificate enough. I feel that it is a course that everyone should do as it offers a wonderful opportunity to explore the therapeutic powers of play. We had an amazing lecturer, Laura, who always greeted us with a warm, bright energy. Laura created a safe space for everyone within the group. She is a fountain of knowledge, with a wonderful way with words to help people understand and grasp the therapeutic play skills. You are also given the opportunity to do some individual play sessions which I thoroughly enjoyed. You get to see the therapeutic powers of play at work here, which I found fascinating. It’s the most amazing form of treatment when a child gets to do what they do best- play and heal at the same time. There is also a great sense of community and support within the group, which again makes learning easier and fun. Unknown to yourself, overtime you’ll slowly notice a nice little collection of books, puppets, crafts etc accumulating as you become immersed in the course. Enjoy 🙂

 

TPS Certificate Graduate

“I recently completed the Live Online Therapeutic Play Skills Course through the Children’s Therapy Centre, facilitated by the wonderful Edel Lawlor. This training was truly insightful, empowering, and deeply rooted in the power of play. The course not only enriched my understanding of therapeutic play but also provided me with practical, hands-on skills that I can confidently bring into my work with children.

My experience with CTC has been overwhelmingly positive. The team, especially Siobhán Prendiville, is incredibly supportive, knowledgeable, and always available to answer any questions. Their dedication to high-quality training and professional development is evident in every aspect of the course.

I would highly recommend training with CTC to anyone looking to deepen their knowledge of therapeutic play. It’s a transformative experience that blends theory with creativity.”
Therapeutic Play Skills Certificate Graduate

Therapeutic Play Skills Certificate 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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