1. Play TherapistPlay Therapist

2. What is play therapy? Play therapy is a structured, theoretically based approach to therapy that builds on the normal communicative and learning processes of children. Therapists strategically utilize play therapy to help children express what is troubling them when they do not have the verbal language to express their thoughts and feelings. In play therapy, toys are like the child’s words and play is the child’s language.

3. Work Enviroment A safe, confidential and caring environment is created between the therapist and child, which allows the child to play with as few limits as possible but as many as necessary (for physical and emotional safety). This allows healing to occur on many levels. Above all, the child is given “Special Time” where they are the focus of attention and where they can begin to learn how to feel and express feelings in a healthy manner. Many Play Therapists work part-time, but for more than one organization or undertake private practice activities. It is rare for Play Therapists to work full-time for one organization.

4. Education & training: Master's Degree or First Professional Degree usually needed for this career. Hold a minimum of a master’s degree in one of the following disciplines: counseling, counselor education, psychology, counseling psychology, school psychology, school counseling, rehabilitation counseling, marriage and family therapy, social work, or a closely-related mental health graduate program. Possess a strong interest in expanding their knowledge, skills, and dispositions in the practice of counseling children and adolescents by utilizing play therapy.

5. Skills & aptitudes Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders. Therapy and Counseling - Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance. Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. Sociology and Anthropology - Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins. Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events). Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

6. Duties & responsibilities Must become the child’s friend Needs to be able to create a safe comfortable environment Must not judge or interpret what the child is doing, but rather, reflect on what she sees & does w. the child Maintain record of the child Meet w. the parents

7. Salary According to Pay Scale, the median salary for child life specialists, including play therapists, with less than a year of experience ranged from $34,374 to $45,781. Those with 10 to 19 years of experience earned as much as $51,492. The highest paying employer for play therapists were hospitals who offered median salaries ranging from $32,464 to $44,564.

8. Melissa Gonzalez ♥ November 18, 2011 2 nd block