Play therapist

Career path and progression

With experience and further training, you could:

• supervise less experienced therapists
• provide a consultation service to professionals in the community
• move into training, lecturing or clinical supervision

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• sensitivity and understanding
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• knowledge of psychology
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to work well with others
• to be flexible and open to change
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks as you may work with children and vulnerable adults

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Psychology - Play therapists need a deep understanding of child psychology, including how children develop emotionally, how trauma affects behaviour, and how the mind processes difficult experiences. This knowledge underpins every assessment they make and every therapeutic approach they choose.
• Art and Design - Play therapists use creative arts – including drawing, painting, and model-making – as tools to help children express feelings they can't put into words. Understanding how to use visual and creative activities therapeutically is central to their daily sessions.
• Drama - Play therapists use role play, puppetry, and storytelling to help children act out and make sense of difficult experiences. Understanding how performance and imaginative play work helps them create safe spaces where children can explore their emotions.

Also relevant

• Sociology - Play therapists work with children from diverse family structures and social backgrounds, and need to understand how factors like poverty, family breakdown, and social inequality affect a child's wellbeing. This broader perspective helps them assess each child's situation more fully.
• Biology - Play therapists benefit from understanding child development, brain development, and how stress and trauma affect the body. Knowledge of how the nervous system responds to fear and anxiety helps them recognise physical signs of distress in the children they work with.
• English Language - Play therapists write detailed assessments, progress reports, and case notes that may be shared with parents, schools, and other professionals. They also need strong verbal communication skills to explain complex emotional issues in a way that families can understand.
• English Literature - Play therapists use storytelling and narrative techniques to help children process complex feelings and experiences. Understanding how stories work – including themes, characters, and symbolism – helps them choose or create stories that resonate with a child's situation.