Certified Learn To Play Therapist/Practitioner
The Orange Stream recognises competence to practise Learn To Play Therapy. This Certification is open to those with a minimum of a bachelor tertiary degree in Occupational Therapy, Speech Pathology, Social Work, Psychology, Play Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapy, and for those with a bachelor’s degree who have completed the Graduate Diploma in Therapeutic Play (Deakin University).
The Orange Stream recognises full certification to be a Learn To Play Therapist/Practitioner. The Orange Stream would be suitable for those working in private practice, hospital settings, NGOs, and community health settings where the therapist/practitioner is working on a one-to-one basis with children and families, or in small groups within their practice. The Orange Stream is to be completed within 18 months of finishing Part 2 training so knowledge is consolidated with supervision.
Orange Stream Certification involves the following 4 Steps:
Step 1
Completion of Part 1 and Part 2 training with 90% pass rate on the final quizzes.
- Part 1 and Part 2 training provides knowledge of: understanding of the developmental framework of pretend play development, creating a feeling of safety when engaging with children, child-centred therapeutic skill, theoretical underpinnings of the therapy, knowledge of the Pretend Play Enjoyment Developmental Checklist and how to begin play assessments and what to look for, the importance of pretend play as an ability and how it links to wider developmental capacities, knowledge of the neurobiology of play, therapeutic use of self, and principles and processes of child-centred Learn To Play Therapy and an appreciation of the relationship as central in Learn To Play Therapy. Training includes case studies as well as videos and discussions. Quizzes are provided along with the training and the practitioner is required to gain 90% on the final quizzes.
*It is important to note that just completing Part 1 and Part 2 training does not include any recognition of ability to use Learn To Play Therapy competently in practice.
Step 2
Completion of the Child-Initiated Pretend Play Assessment 2 online training, which includes 10 hours of ChIPPA2 supervision.
Step 3 (can be undertaken alongside completion of Step 2)
- 20 hours of supervision (1:1 supervision rate) in Learn To Play Therapy, including PPE-DC and Animated Movie Test assessment results and interpretation where relevant. Supervision hours can be organised in blocks and to suit the trainee.
* The flow of the 20 hours of supervision may possibly follow the process: - Sessions 1 – 5: creating a sense of safety, linking play assessment results of children, interpretation and goals of therapy together with planning sessions. Play assessment can include PPE-DC, ChIPPA2, AMT or PPC-T and goals linked to supporting a child’s self-initiation of play. Explaining assessment results to caregivers and other professionals. Working on goals with caregivers. The overall aim of these sessions is to deepen the therapist’s observation skills of children’s play ability.
- Sessions 6 – 10: goals of therapy and planning therapy sessions, that is, linking goals to play activities that will support the child’s self-initiated quality of play ability. Principles and processes will be integrated into supervision where appropriate. Working with caregivers during sessions. The aim of these sessions is to increase ability in responding to the child.
- Sessions 11 – 15: overview of sessions with each child highlighting key shifts in play abilities, therapy principles and processes, use of techniques within Learn To Play Therapy to increase a child’s autonomy in play, and working with caregivers during sessions. The aim of these sessions is to increase ability in responding to the child and becoming comfortable with uncertainty.
- Sessions 16 – 20: observations of the child, ending sessions, post play assessment, support for caregivers, and the therapist’s use of self. The aims of these sessions are to increase ability to respond to the child emotionally, while supporting the child’s sense of self and play ability.
- The supervision sessions can parallel logged hours with the children in sessions.
- 20 hours of supervision (1:1 supervision rate) in Learn To Play Therapy, including PPE-DC and Animated Movie Test assessment results and interpretation where relevant. Supervision hours can be organised in blocks and to suit the trainee.
- 30 logged practice hours with children and support of their parents/carers using Learn To Play Therapy. This assumes 1 session = 1 hour. This must include a minimum of 6 hours per client. For example, you may spread the 30 hours across 5 children having 6 sessions each, or 3 children having 10 sessions each, or one client having 6 sessions and 3 clients have 8 sessions of therapy. The one page form per 1 hour session, for the logged practice hours is attached here. (1:1 supervision rate per hour of marking and feedback).
*Within the 30 logged practice hours working with parents is included with at least 2 children (minimum).
Step 4
A written and oral assignment on two case studies. The written assignment is not more than 5000 words (2,500 words per case study) and includes the play assessment result and interpretation, goals of therapy, summary of therapy sessions with each child highlighting key shifts in play abilities, and recommendations. Reflections on practice are also included. The oral assignment is a discussion with a Learn to Play trainer on the nuances of play assessment, shifts in play abilities relating to the two case studies with reference to the therapeutic use of self, highlighting key moments of therapeutic use of self, self-insight, and moments of joy.
(1:1 supervision rate per hour of marking and feedback).
Required Manuals and Play Assessments
Pretend Play Enjoyment Developmental Checklist
Included in the cost of the Part 1 workshop.
The Pretend Play Enjoyment Developmental Checklist (PPE-DC) is a criterion referenced assessment with standardised administration and scoring. It is an observational assessment that takes between 15 and 30 minutes to administer, and assesses three aspects of a child’s play ability, which are: pretend play skills, enjoyment of play, and a child’s sense of self (their self-representation as observed during play).
Learn to Play Therapy: Principles, Process and Practical Activities
To be purchased separately for certification.
The new Learn To Play book: Learn to Play Therapy: Principles, Process and Practical Activities was published in 2021.
This 314 page book explains the theoretical underpinnings, principles and process as well as includes an additional 114 pages of play activities by developmental level. It comes with downloadable play activities, parent handouts, and Play Background Checklist.
This book is an essential reference source for Learn To Play Therapy
Child-Initiated Pretend Play Assessment-2 (ChIPPA-2) KIT
To be purchased separately for certification.
The ChIPPA-2 kit includes:
- ChIPPA-2 Manual (2022)
- ChIPPA-2 Scoring Booklet 3 YO
- ChIPPA-2 Scoring Booklet 4-7 YO
- All play materials
The Child-Initiated Pretend Play Assessment-2 is the updated, revised manual and scoring booklets of the Child-Initiated Pretend Play Assessment. The kit materials remain the same.
The Child-Initiated Pretend Play Assessment-2 (ChIPPA-2) is designed for children from 3 years to 7 years 11 months who have difficulty playing or don’t know how to play. It is a norm referenced standardised assessment of the quality of a child’s ability to self-initiate their play. The child’s ability to sequence play actions, use symbols in play and self-initiate play are assessed across two sets of play materials – conventional imaginative play materials (for conventional-imaginative pretend play) and unstructured objects (for symbolic play). There is also a Clinical Observations Form which has been updated and expanded.
Success to become a Certified Learn To Play Therapist
To successfully become a Certified Learn to Play Therapist/Practitioner (that is, successful completion of Orange Stream) the therapist/practitioner will complete the hours of training including: Part 1 and Part 2 training, supervision and practice hours, ChIPPA2 training, and submit the assignment, within 18 months from the completion of Part 2 training.
Success of completing certification in Orange Stream is determined by the:
- Trainee meets the pass rate for Part 1 and Part 2, and ChIPPA2 self-study Modules
- Supervision hours (Learn To Play and ChIPPA2) and practice hour logs are completed. The supervisor assesses success based on:
- quality of practice, including: administration, scoring, and interpretation of play assessments, the nuanced understanding of how play assessments inform Learn To Play Therapy, the ability to meet the child where they are in play, create a sense of safety, responding moment-to-moment with the child, therapeutic use of self, and how the therapist/practitioner supports the child’s play ability and engagement in play and engaging with the caregiver/s during sessions.
- Pass for the assignment. Assignment will be assessed on criteria, which the trainee will have access to before completion of the assignment.
If, after training, a therapist/practitioner is deemed ‘not yet competent’, a second supervisor will look over the evidence to confirm or deny this result. If the second supervisor agrees, then the primary supervisor will work with the trainee in the area/s needing further support. This could include: more supervision hours, re-submission of the assignment, working with the trainee on a timetable to complete the training as 18 months has passed.
The Orange Stream is Certification to practice Learn To Play Therapy, including play assessment, within one’s practice with clients. If you consent, your name and workplace will be placed on our Find a Therapist page (under its geographical location), for any professional or parent searching for a Certified Learn To Play Therapist/Practitioner. Please be aware that completion of the Orange Stream does not qualify you to be a Learn To Play Therapy supervisor, trainer or workshop facilitator. All Learn To Play Therapy workshops, supervision and training are run through Learn To Play Therapy by our certified team.
Deakin Students who have completed the Graduate Diploma of Therapeutic Play or Masters of Play Therapy
Deakin Graduates of the above courses are eligible to enter into the Orange Stream with credits for their previously completed work. Orange Stream certification for Deakin graduates requires the following training with recognition of prior learning:
Step 1:
ChIPPA2 training
Step 2:
Complete the Part 2 final quiz with a pass rate of 90%. If a pass rate of less than 90% is reached, you will be required to complete the full 3-day Part 2 training
(contact us for access to the Part 2 quiz)
Step 3:
Minimum of 5 hours supervision
More supervision hours may be required based on supervisor assessment of skills
Continued Certification Orange Stream
Quality of practice is a continual process. When participants have met all criteria to be Certified they have successfully attained Certification. It is recommended that for the following year post Certification, the Orange Stream complete:
- A minimum of 3 x 1 hour supervisions within the first 12 months of Certification. This is for support.
Every 3 years the Orange Stream will be sent an email to invite them to complete the Continuation of Certification Form. This review form seeks information on continued learning in Learn To Play Therapy, including reflective practice within Learn To Play Therapy and cultural safety.
- As people’s lives change, for example: moving positions, geographical location, and family responsibilities, this also assists us in keeping our Orange Stream up to date so we can recommend you if any families are requesting services in your area. Reflecting on practice, cultural safety, and understanding your practice to deeper levels also provides a moment for you to reflect on your growth as a therapist/practitioner.