Welcome!

The Association for Play Therapy (APT) is a national professional society in the United States that invites your membership support to promote the value of play, play therapy, and credentialed play therapists. Its chartered branches invite your participation.

Established in 1982, APT is governed by an elected board of directors, managed by a professional staff, and funded by membership dues and program fees paid by these and other mental health professionals in the U.S. and 25 other nations: Psychologists, Social Workers, Counselores and School Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Child Life Specialists, Physicians and Nurses, Parents, Graduate Students, and Other Interested Parties.
Because Play Therapy directly helps children and others in need, your membership support is important and sincerely appreciated!

Programs and Benefits

Quarterly Newsletter. News, clinical articles, editorials, leadership directory, branch conferences calendar, advertisements, etc. Included in dues.

Semi-Annual Journal. Original research, case studies, and theoretical articles, substantive reviews of Play Therapy topics, and information about the complete spectrum of clinical Play Therapy interventions. Play Therapists credit available. Included in dues.

Membership Directory. A directory of members for training, networking, and client referral purposes is displayed on the APT website, www.a4pt.org, and is available on CD or VHS for a nominal fee.

Annual International Conference. Play Therapy Insights for continuing education credit by foremost authors, researchers, and practitioners during variety of conference and pre-conference presentations. Reduced fees for members.

Professional Credentials. Elevates the level of training and credibility of play therapists by conferring professional Registered Play Therapists (RPT) and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S) designations. Reduced fees for members.

Approved Continuing Education Provider. Protects the quality and the credibility of Play Therapy continuing education by conferring Type I, II and III approved provider status upon parties offering approved training.

Bookstore. The latest Play Therapy books, videos, and APT logo products. Reduced prices for members.

Professional Insurance. Optional malpractice insurance policy coverage by Health Providers Service Organization (HPSO) at competitive rates.

Distance Learning. Non-contact approved Play Therapy training via APT website. Reduced fees for members.

Research Grants. Promotes original research to increase Play Therapy knowledge or improve Play Therapy practices. Priority to member applicants and to projects that demonstrate the effectiveness of Play Therapy.

Annual Student Research Award. Expands the Play Therapy body of knowledge by stimulating and rewarding original research to increase Play Therapy knowledge, improve Play Therapy techniques, and demonstrate the value of play in Play Therapy.

Advertising. Publicizes Play Therapy products. Services, and training in our newsletter, conference packets, and website. Reduced rates for members.

Play Therapy Promotion. Flash animation (CD or VHS) and brochures promote play, Play Therapy, and play therapists to general public, particularly managed care providers, schools, attorneys and judges, and parents.

Staff Assistance. Employs a full-time professional executive director, meeting planner, and staff to process member inquiries and orders on weekdays between 8:00a and 4:00p PST.

Membership Year

Each membership expires if not renewed during its anniversary month. For example, if members join in April but fail to renew during the following April, their memberships expire. Billing statements are mailed at the outset of each members anniversary month.