Specialist Diploma in Non-Directive Play Therapy
March 2025
Delivered via Blended Learning
Full Fee: €2,900
€500 Deposit on registration
€400 monthly for 6 months
Non-Directive Play Therapy
Therapeutic intervention with children is a specialised area of practice. In ensuring principles of best practices when working with this client group therapists need to possess the appropriate knowledge, skills and competencies in order to ensure they are working ethically, professionally and effectively with this population group.
Specialist Diploma In Non-Directive Play Therapy
Our Specialist Diploma in Non-Directive Play Therapy addresses and incorporates the core competencies for working therapeutically with children as set out in IACP’s “Standards for Working with Under 18’s” document. This programme has been designed specifically for qualified and in-training Counsellors, Psychotherapists, Psychologists and Art Therapists who wish to expand their clinical practice to work therapeutically with children.
Facilitated by a team of highly experienced therapists who have expertise in Play Therapy, Art Therapy, Sand Play Therapy and Child Psychotherapy.
This programme will be delivered through a Blended Learning format.
IACP CPD Approved and Recognised. Awarded 147 CPD points
Learning Objectives
Participants will gain in-depth theoretical knowledge along with the clinical skills required to work therapeutically with children aged 4 -12 years. Participants will not only learn a range of therapeutic play theories, approaches, and techniques, but also how to conceptualise the play therapy process from an integrative perspective. A strong emphasis will be placed on developing participants skills and competencies in therapeutic play skills, expanding participants understanding of child development and neurobiology, working in partnership with parents and the therapeutic use of self. Participants learning and skill development will be further enhanced through the use of a fully equipped play therapy unit.
Learning Outcomes
Participants who complete this diploma will:
- Gain an in-depth theoretical knowledge of child development and child psychology theories.
- Acquire a sound understanding of the principles underlying play therapy and the appropriate use of techniques.
- Demonstrate a competent understanding of attachment and the implications for therapeutic work with children.
- Become proficient in setting therapeutic boundaries, tracking progress, and documenting emerging play themes.
- Develop the necessary skills to undertake parental intake sessions, therapeutic needs assessments, and parental reviews.
- Understand and apply the fundamental principals involved in organising and maintaining a child centred therapeutic play space from an integrative non directive stance.
Programme Modules & Schedule
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Saturday 8th March 2025.
10am – 4pm at The Greenane Centre, E34 CX13
Facilitator: Marian Connell
- Introduction to Programme
- Assessment Guidelines
- Connecting with your Playful Self
- Experiential and Creative Expression
- Group Process
Sunday 9th March 2025.
10am – 4pm on Zoom
Facilitator: Marian Connell
- History and Development of Play Therapy
- Defining Play Therapy
- Conceptualising Play Therapy
- Principals of Play Therapy
Saturday 5th April 2025,
Sunday 6th April 2025,
Saturday 26th April 2025.
10am – 4pm on Zoom.
Facilitator: Elaine Fagan
- Child Development: Physical, Intellectual, Linguistic, Emotional & Social
- Child Development Theories
- Normative Variations Across the Spectrum of Child Development
- Atypical Child Development
- Social, Environmental and Cultural Factors Influencing Child Development
- Nature/ Nurture Debate
Saturday 24th May 2025,
Sunday 25th May 2025,
Saturday 31st May 2025.
10am – 4pm on Zoom.
Facilitator: Marian Connell
- Attachment Theory
- Stages of Attachment
- Attachment Styles
- Internal Working Model
- Neuroscience and Attachment
- Implications of Attachments Style in Therapeutic Process
- Role of Play in Facilitating Positive Attachments
- Earned Secure Attachment
Friday 27th June 2025,
Saturday 28th June 2025.
10am – 4pm on Zoom.
Facilitator: Marian Connell
- Parenting Theories
- Parenting Approaches and Styles
- Parents as Partners in the Childs Therapeutic Process
- Parental Intake Sessions and Contracting
- Conducting Parental Reviews
- PACE Parenting
- Framework for Parental Support Sessions
Saturday 19th July 2025.
10am – 4pm at The Greenane Centre, E34 CX13.
Facilitator: Elaine Fagan
- Storytelling with Puppets as a Therapeutic Process
- Effective Puppet Techniques and Skills
- Puppet Making Craft & Materials
Saturday 6th September 2025,
Sunday 7th September 2025.
10am – 4pm at The Greenane Centre, E34 CX13.
Facilitator: Marian Connell
- Therapeutic Powers of Play
- The Therapeutic Play Continuum
- Neurobiology of Play
- Directive / Non Directive Play Therapy
Wednesday 24th September 2025,
Thursday 25th September 2025.
10am – 4pm on Zoom.
Facilitator: Elaine Fagan.
- Neurosequential Model
- Recognizing Play Themes
- Deconstructing Play Narratives and Reflecting Themes
- Theme Analysis
- Tracking and Documenting Therapeutic Progress
Saturday 18th October 2025.
10am – 4pm on Zoom.
Facilitator: Elaine Fagan
- Therapeutic Limit Setting and Boundaries
- Touch in The Therapy Room
- Transference and Counter-transference
Saturday 22nd November 2025,
Sunday 23rd November 2025.
10am – 4pm on Zoom.
Facilitator: Marian Connell
- Polyvagal Theory
- Window Of Tolerance
- Regulation and Co- Regulation
- Regulation Tools and Strategies
- Therapeutic Use of SELF
Saturday 13th December 2025,
Sunday 14th December 2025.
10am – 4pm at The Greenane Centre, E34 CX13.
Facilitator: Clare Curtis
- Value of Sensory Play
- Sensory Play Materials and Accessories
- Exploring and Investigating with the Senses
- Sensory Processing
Saturday 24th January 2026,
Sunday 25th January 2026.
10am – 4pm at The Greenane Centre, E34 CX13.
Facilitator: Elaine Fagan
- History and Development of Sand Play Therapy
- Principles of Sand Play Therapy
- Sand Play Equipment and Miniatures
- Sand Play Process & Stages
- Free and Protected Space
- Symbolic Expression
- Identifying, Tracking and Documenting Themes
Saturday 21st February 2026,
Sunday 22nd February 2026.
10am – 4pm at The Greenane Centre, E34 CX15.
Facilitator: Marian Connell
- Art as a Therapeutic Modality
- Core principles of Therapeutic Art
- Resources and Materials
- Planning and Implementing Therapeutic Art Sessions
- Exploring Patterns and Themes
Saturday 28th March 2026.
10am – 4pm at The Greenane Centre, E34 CX13.
Facilitator: Elaine Fagan
- Termination Planning
- Directive Play Activities for Termination
- Transference in Play Therapy Termination
Tuesday 31st March 2026.
7:30pm – 9:30pm on Zoom.
Facilitator: Liz Quish
- Group Process
- Therapeutic Use of Self
Tutorials
Participants are expected to attend 2 tutorials on Zoom.
Tuesday 22nd July 2025.
7:30pm – 9:30 on Zoom.
Facilitator: Liz Quish
Tuesday 16th December 2025.
7:30pm – 9:30 on Zoom.
Facilitator: Liz Quish
Programme Structure
Entry Requirement:
This CPD Diploma is open to qualified and in-training counsellors, psychotherapists, psychologists and art therapists who wish to expand their skill set to work therapeutically with children aged 4 – 12 years.
Clinical Practice:
- 40 hours of one to one client work with children (must source own clinical practice hours).
- 8 Supervision sessions with Appointed Supervisor (Supervision fee not included in course fee).
Teaching Methods:
This Programme will be delivered through a blended learning format with 15 days online and 11 days facilitated through class-based learning at The Greenane Centre.
Assessment:
- 2 Reflective Learning Journals – 1500 words each
- Book Review – 1500 words
- Case study – 3000 words
- Supervisors Report
Terms & Conditions:
Please read our Terms and Conditions document carefully. You will be required to indicate your agreement on the programme application form.
Programme Fee & Payment Schedule
Full Fee: €2,900
- €500 Deposit on registration
- €400 monthly for 6 months, automatically debited to payment card.