Short Courses

CTC offers a wide range of short courses designed for professionals, students, parents, carers, and anyone with an interest in therapeutic approaches. Whether you’re building your skills, meeting CPD requirements, or just getting started in the field, our flexible online, blended, and onsite courses make professional development accessible and effective. CPD Certificates are issued after each course.

An Introduction to Play Therapy 17.02.26

  • Tuesday, February 17, 2026
  • Live Online Training Event
This live online course will provide participants with a great introduction into the world of Play Therapy.  This experiential workshop is a hands on, skill building session that will allow the partic...

Play Therapy Techniques 28.03.26

  • Saturday, March 28, 2026
  • Live Online Training Event
This web-based course will introduce participants to play, its therapeutic benefits, and a variety of developmentally appropriate techniques used by play therapists and therapeutic play workers.

Currently Enrolling

Embracing Relational Neurodivergent Affirming Practice (Across the Lifespan) 17.01.26
  • Saturday, January 17, 2026
  • Live Online Training Event
This engaging workshop provides an interactive and reflective  space to explore the historical context and the changing neurodiversity paradigm which ...
From Drama to Empowerment: Navigating the Drama Triangle in Clinical Supervision 30.01.26
  • Friday, January 30, 2026
  • Live Online Training Event
This 3-hour creative, experiential, and interactive workshop, is designed for clinical supervisors seeking to deepen their awareness of the Drama Tria...
The Impact of Domestic Abuse on Child Development 04.02.26
  • Wednesday, February 4, 2026
  • Live Online Training Event
This live online course will look at how living with Domestic Abuse impacts child development.
Post-Traumatic Growth in Children and Young People: Healing Through the Therapeutic Powers of Play 10.02.26
  • Tuesday, February 10, 2026
  • Live Online Training Event
An Introduction to Play Therapy 17.02.26
  • Tuesday, February 17, 2026
  • Live Online Training Event
This live online course will provide participants with a great introduction into the world of Play Therapy.  This experiential workshop is a hands on,...
The Power of Special Playtimes 04.03.26
  • Wednesday, March 4, 2026
  • Live Online Training Event
This live online course will look at how we can make the most of a child’s most valuable toy, a willing adult.
Being with Big Feelings 26.03.26
  • Thursday, October 23, 2025
  • Live Online Training Event
This live online course will look at how we can help adults to support children in their care who are experiencing big or overwhelming feelings
Play Therapy Techniques 28.03.26
  • Saturday, March 28, 2026
  • Live Online Training Event
This web-based course will introduce participants to play, its therapeutic benefits, and a variety of developmentally appropriate techniques used by p...
Attachment Theory in the Play Therapy Room 28.04.26
  • Tuesday, April 28, 2026
  • LIVE Online Training Event
This 3-hour live on workshop is designed to enhance your understanding of attachment theory and its application within Play Therapy.
Building Inner Besties: Strategies to Boost Children’s Self-concept and Self- Esteem 29.04.26
  • Thursday, November 6, 2025
  • Live Online Training Event
This live online course will look at how we can help children develop positive self-concept and self-esteem.
Sensational Sensory Play 27.05.26
  • Tuesday, May 27, 2025
  • Live Online Training Event
This live online course explores the importance of sensory play and practical ways to increase engagement in this type of play
Soothing Transitions & Separations 16.11.26
  • Wednesday, September 16, 2026
  • Live Online Training Event
This live online course will look at supporting children who find it difficult to leave a parent or carer.
Anchoring your Adolescent 23.11.26
  • Wednesday, September 23, 2026
  • Live Online Training Event
This live online course explore how to remain connected to an adolescent as they navigate one of the most challenging times in development.

Register Your Interest

A Joint Journey Towards Healing: Navigating Love, Loss and Grief
  • LIVE Online Training Event
This reflective and interactive workshop is designed for therapists, counsellors, and other  mental health professionals working therapeutically with ...
A Playful Attachment: Bonding Playfully with Your Baby
  • Live Online Training Event
This live online course dives into the power of play and how it can build and enhance a secure and playful attachment with your baby!
Anchoring your Adolescent
  • Live Online Training Event
This live online course explore how to remain connected to an adolescent as they navigate one of the most challenging times in development.
Being with Big Feelings
  • Live Online Training Event
This live online course will look at how we can help adults to support children in their care who are experiencing big or overwhelming feelings
Building Inner Besties: Strategies to Boost Children’s Self-concept and Self- Esteem
  • Live Online Training Event
This live online course will look at how we can help children develop positive self-concept and self-esteem.
Creative Endings in Child & Adolescent Therapy
  • Live Online Training Event
This unique and highly interactive live online course will outline the hallmarks and significance of endings for the therapist, the child and the fami...
Medical Trauma in Play Therapy
  • Live Online Training Event
This innovative live online workshop will introduce participants to medical trauma, and a wide variety of therapeutic approaches that can support chil...
Play Therapy in Schools
  • Live Online Training Event
In many ways a school is an ideal setting for Play Therapy to occur, however there are some challenges.
Soothing Transitions & Separations
  • Live Online Training Event
This live online course will look at supporting children who find it difficult to leave a parent or carer.
The Impact of Domestic Abuse on Child Development
  • Live Online Training Event
This live online course will look at how living with Domestic Abuse impacts child development.
The Power of Special Playtimes
  • Live Online Training Event
This live online course will look at how we can make the most of a child’s most valuable toy, a willing adult.
Sensational Sensory Play
  • Live Online Training Event
This live online course explores the importance of sensory play and practical ways to increase engagement in this type of play

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!

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.

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

MA Graduate

To say this course has been life changing feels like an understatement. In 4 years, I have changed my entire career, grown professionally and interpersonally more than I could ever have imagined, all the while gaining a deeply rich and integrated knowledge of theory, clinical practice and Self-knowledge. All this knowledge has been garnered from a course that is so intelligently designed that a new-found Self emerges, following layer after layer of practical, hands-on creative learning, mixed with just the right amount of academia. Ultimately this all culminates in the whole-hearted ability to really be with a child, to hold their distress, and to witness healing occur through the potent powers of play. These are the real privileges, the true gifts from CTC.

CTC MA Graduate

The most sparkly silver lining of this pandemic is that I have the opportunity to do training with the Children’s Therapy Centre. Being based in Hong Kong, it is lovely to experience training with those at home in Ireland. I have done a number of courses through the Children’s Therapy Centre, and all of them have been exceptional. This is true of the entire process. Booking online is easy. Siobhán is wonderful and is super friendly, helpful and speedy in answering any of my questions. All of the facilitators have been excellent; very knowledgeable, approachable (even with the added hurdle of doing this through Zoom) and have delivered fantastic courses that will resonate with me for the rest of my career. And Rachel in the office is awesome at sending out the certificates and answering queries. It has all been terrific. I look forward to one day meeting all the fabulous people I have met in doing these courses and am very excited to participate in the courses to come. Thanks a million CTC!

Short online course participant

“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

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 absolutely loved the Therapeutic Play Skills course. The content is incredibly relevant and valuable for anyone working with children, regardless of their profession. One of the standout aspects for me was the experiential nature of the course—it really allowed me to reconnect with my own sense of playfulness, which in turn gave me a wealth of practical ideas to bring into my work with children as a teacher.

Cathy was a wonderful facilitator—so warm, calm, and thoughtful in her approach. She created a safe and supportive space where everyone felt heard and engaged, and she made sure we all got the most out of each session. The course was well-structured, with the modules spaced out perfectly to allow for reflection and learning, while still being full of rich, enjoyable content. I’d highly recommend this course to anyone looking to deepen their understanding of therapeutic play and bring new energy to their work with children.

 

TPS Certificate 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

‘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

Build on Your Learning

Take your learning to the next level with our QQI-accredited Certificate Courses—designed for professionals who want to integrate therapeutic play into their practice with confidence and credibility.
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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