What’s the Difference Between Play Therapy and Using Play in Therapy?

Happy International Play Therapy Week!

What better way to celebrate than by inviting real voices into the conversation? In this special episode, I sat down with some amazing play therapists from Play Therapy Academy. Each of them is doing the brave, meaningful work of showing up for kids and families every day—and they generously shared how supervision and community have shaped their growth. Whether you’re just starting your RPT journey or have been at it for a while, I think you’ll find encouragement, wisdom, and a few “me too” moments in this one.

Beyond Just Playing: What It Really Means to Be a Play Therapist

Something that comes up often in our conversations is how misunderstood play therapy can be. So many therapists say they "do play therapy," but that might just mean they pulled out a deck of UNO cards during a session. True play therapy is so much more intentional than that. It requires specific training, supervision, and a deep understanding of theory and clinical application.

When I was starting out, I knew I wanted to work with kids. I had been a special education teacher back in the 1980s, working with students who couldn’t function in a typical classroom setting. I saw school psychologists doing play therapy, and I watched how these kids transformed through group work that involved fairy tales and symbolic play. It was powerful—and it became the seed that grew into a lifelong passion.

But once I got into the therapy field, I felt lost. There weren’t many people who knew how to do play therapy, and I floundered for years. I remember vividly feeling like a fraud—well-meaning supervisors handed me worksheets when I asked for support. But I hated worksheets. They didn’t capture what I knew these kids needed. I didn’t want to fake it anymore. I wanted to know what I was doing. That’s when I finally found play therapy training and supervision—and it changed everything.

The Value of Supervision and Community

Every therapist in Play Therapy Academy says some version of this: the group gives us more than we ever expected.

Amy talked about how the RPT process itself—though rigorous—is worth every bit of effort. She compared it to her master’s program in terms of intensity. But the growth that comes from being in a structured consultation space? That’s the game-changer. For her, always seeking supervision and consultation isn’t just part of getting a credential—it’s how good therapists grow.

Julie shared that she wanted to be sure she had high-quality training and that the RPT credential gave her something to be proud of. As a parent herself, she knows she’d trust someone with that kind of credential more when seeking care for her own child. That sense of integrity and responsibility to the families we serve runs deep in our work.

Malia beautifully said, “Always be consulting”—her ABCs of play therapy. She reminded us how isolation is the enemy of good therapy. It’s not just about acquiring knowledge; it’s about applying it in community. For her, being in the consultation group through Play Therapy Academy gave her support through personal grief and professional uncertainty—and became the most grounding part of her week.

What Makes Play Therapy Academy Different?

If you’re like me, you didn’t go into this work to “kind of know what you’re doing.” You want to feel grounded and confident. That’s what we offer in Play Therapy Academy. Our members don’t just clock hours—they develop real competence.

The consultation calls are rich with insight. Someone might bring a case, and by the time the group discussion unfolds, we’ve all gained something deeper. And even when you’re not the one presenting, you walk away with applicable strategies and new perspectives.

I also love the role-playing we do. When someone is struggling with how to talk to a parent, I’ll say, “Let’s try it out right now.” Practicing those conversations together makes a huge difference when it’s time to have them in real life.

Most of all, what makes this community special is the heart. As Malia said, “The group has changed, but the heart of it is still the same.” That’s how I want all play therapists to feel—supported, inspired, and seen.

So… What Now?

If you’re working toward your RPT or you’re already credentialed but want deeper support, I invite you to check out Play Therapy Academy. We currently have openings, and this may be the kind of support you've been looking for.

Or, if you’re not pursuing your RPT but still want meaningful consultation and community, Play Therapy Elevation Circle is another option. It’s designed to keep your skills sharp and your heart renewed—without the credentialing track.

Wherever you are on your journey, remember: you don’t have to do it alone. I’m here to help you shift out of survival mode and into something deeper, more sustainable, and more impactful.

Let’s take this ride together.

Categories: : Community, Play Therapy, Play Therapy Academy, Play Therapy Elevation Circle, Podcast, Self care, Supervision