Introduction to Child-Centred Play Therapy

Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) is a non-directive therapeutic approach that allows children to express their thoughts, feelings, and experiences through play—their natural language. Grounded in the work of Virginia Axline and Carl Rogers, CCPT emphasizes the therapeutic relationship as the key to healing. Rather than directing the child, the therapist provides a safe and supportive environment where the child leads the process, promoting emotional growth, self-regulation, and resilience from within.

Participants will explore how the non-directive stance fosters emotional expression, autonomy, resilience, and self-understanding in children. Through a balance of theory, case examples, and hands-on practice, this training equips participants with essential skills to begin applying CCPT principles in their work with children.

Benefits of CCPT:

Encourages emotional healing and self-regulation
Enhances self-confidence and autonomy
Promotes healthy emotional and social development
Allows children to express and process inner conflicts or trauma symbolically when they may not have the words to articulate their experiences
Improves self-control, behaviours, and relationships at home and school

Learning Outcomes:

By the end of this training, participants will:

Understand the theoretical foundations and therapeutic benefits of CCPT
Gain skills to facilitate a non-directive play session
Identify common play themes and emotional expressions in the playroom
Learn to build a therapeutic relationship rooted in trust, acceptance, and respect

Course Duration: 7 hours

1. Core philosophy and principles of CCPT
2. The role of the therapist: empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard
3. Starting CCPT
– Selection of toys
– Recommendation for time
– Frequency
– Location if parents do it at home with their children

4. Therapeutic skills
– Structuring
– Tracking and reflective listening skills
– Child-centered imaginary play
– Limit-setting skill

5. Common scenarios during CCPT sessions and how to handle them:
– Testing boundaries
– Aggression
– Repetitive play
– Play themes

6. Understanding of play themes and symbolic play expression
– Good vs bad
– Nurturing and caregiving
– Power and control
– Safety
– Protection

7. Experiencing the power of play through experiential class activities

– Mock play sessions
– Role plays
– Skills practice

Note: This training does not qualify participants as play therapists, but it offers valuable foundational knowledge and practical skills that can enhance your work with children in therapeutic, educational, or supportive settings.

Jeanie So

Jeanie So is passionate about using Play Therapy to help children. For more than a decade, Jeanie has worked with children and their families in a social service setting. She has witnessed how Play Therapy has positively helped these children. She works closely with schools for her children clients. Jeanie holds a Master degree in Counselling and a Post-graduate Diploma in Play Therapy. She is a clinical member and registered counsellor of Singapore Association of Counselling (SAC) and a certified play therapist of Play Therapy International (PTI). She provides training for social workers and counsellors on Play Therapy.

Available Funding

NCSS (PCG Pre-Approval Funding): 30% ($180)

NTUC UTAP: NTUC union members enjoy 50% unfunded course fee support, capped at $250 or $500 (aged 40 years old and above)

This workshop is suitable for:

Counsellors, psychologists, social workers, school educators, occupational therapists, and others who work with children in therapeutic or supportive roles.
Parents who are keen to learn some therapeutic skills to help their children express their feelings, increase confidence and self-esteem.

No prior training in play therapy is required.

S$600

Jeanie So

Helpful Links

Contact Us