Specialisation In Play Based Intervention – Play Therapy

FOR COUNSELLORS (HPCSA/ASCHP) AND SOCIAL WORKERS (SACSSP)

Working with children, whether in play therapy or counselling, is a specialized field that requires that counsellors and therapist not only have a sound theoretical understanding of the child and the impact of different life-events and or trauma on the child, but also that they have a variety of play therapy tools and modalities available to them to meet the needs of the individual child-client they are working with. Most training courses in the field of play therapy, child counselling and therapy using play-based techniques available in South Africa often only focus on one therapeutic modality or only consists of short training programmes that focus on one therapeutic intervention, leaving counsellors and social workers feeling ill-equipped to deal with the vast range of different referrals they receive.

With this CPD accredited training course, developed by Dr Louise Aucamp and Anschel Pieterson amongst others (to see more about the presenters, please see bottom of page), we aim to provide delegates with, not only an in-depth theoretical knowledge base and practical hands-on skills, but also a structured guideline to the play therapy process; play-based therapeutic tools, play therapy techniques as well as a vast range of different life-events, traumas, and behavioural concerns that children might present. Delegates have an opportunity to gain not only knowledge and skill, but to apply these in practice as this programme consists of a theoretical component, a practical component, as well as supervision and practice guidance over a 6-month period.

This course has been submitted for CPD points at the SACSSP (see below), ASCHP as well as HPCSA.

In this course, delegates will have to complete:

1. Theoretical component consisting out of 21 Learning Units over a period of 6 non-consecutive weeks, filled with evidence based latest research and theory integrated into practical application.
2. Practical component consisting of practical assignments and ample opportunity to watch application of skill in practice through video clips and practice techniques and skills in sessions under the guidance of experienced counsellors or social workers.
3. Internship providing delegates with monthly supervision sessions (either group or individual) as well as practice guidance while they complete 60 practical hours that provides the opportunity to gain first-hand experience in the field of working with children.

To qualify for this post-graduate course, delegates should meet the following criteria:

• Humanitas Counselling Course Graduate/ Intern with a degree in Psychology as well as 100 hours of practicals completed
  • Delegates with a Psychology degree without practical experience are advised to complete the Humanitas Counselling Course in order to gain the necessary practical experience
    • • • • • or
• Social work degree
  • • • • • or
• Psychology honours degree, with at least 100h of relevant practical experience (registration with the ASCHP, HPCSA)
  • Delegates with a Psychology honours degree without practical experience are advised to complete the Humanitas Counselling Course in order to gain the necessary practical experience
  • Delegates registered at the ASCHP/HPCSA (please supply a summary of relevant experience to the field of counselling)
    • • • • or
• Completion of relevant Play Therapy training (i.e. Play Therapy International) will be considered based on undergraduate qualifications (minimum of NQF 7) as well as practical experience in the field
• Should the delegate have completed any other relevant 2-year counselling courses, the application will be considered based on prior learning (minimum NQF 7) and experience gained in the field.

Please note that applications are reviewed by a panel and approved based on prior learning, undergraduate studies as well as practical experience gained in the field.

SACSSP: 100 CPD Points

Module 1: 23 points
Module 2: 16 points
Module 3: 19 points
Module 4: 21 points
Module 5: 21 points
Total: 100 points

Note: All registered social workers (excluding students) are required to obtain a minimum of twenty (20) CPD points annually, or fourty (40) points over two (2) year cycle.

ASCHP and HPCSA members can submit their certificates for external CPD points.

Outcome:
This training course will equip delegates with a sound theoretical knowledge base as well as practical skills to provide therapeutic interventions to children facing a variety of socio-emotional challenges.

Objectives:

1. To provide delegates with a sound understanding of various legislation pertaining to children, to ensure legally sound practice and adherence to mandated reporting.
2. To assist delegates in developing legally sound and ethically founded protocols for private practice to ensure service delivery of the highest ethical standard.
3. To equip delegates with a sound theoretical knowledge base on child development to provide developmentally sensitive therapeutic interventions to children as well as effective developmentally sensitive parental guidance to parents.
4. To provide delegates with a sound theoretical understanding of attachment and practical skill in assisting parents to optimize parent-child attachment.
5. To equip delegates with knowledge and understanding for different play therapy models, using play as a therapeutic medium and different medium that can be utilized within the play therapy context and the phases of therapy.
6. To equip delegates with sound theoretical understanding of
   • the child’s understanding of different traumas such as bereavement, divorce, sexual abuse, and other once off traumatic incidents, in different developmental phases
   • the impact of such traumas on children in different developmental phases and subsequent needs of the child
7. To equip delegates with practical skill in providing therapeutic intervention and support to children affected by different traumas (bereavement, divorce, sexual abuse, once off traumatic incidents) by
   • Understanding the goals of therapy for different traumas
   • Understanding the outline of the therapeutic process to achieve the therapeutic goals
   • Skills in the use of different media and techniques to help children make sense of experience in a child friendly manner (example explaining the concept of death or divorce to a child)
8. To equip delegates with knowledge and understanding of common childhood behavioural phenomenon such as
   • ADD / ADHD
   • Enuresis and Encopresis
   • Stealing
   • Lying
   • Bullying behaviour

This is an in-depth year-long training programme that will send delegates out into the field equipped, experienced, and self-assured on how to provide effective play based therapeutic interventions to children facing a variety of challenges. No other training course available in SA provides delegates with the same depth of learning; combined with practical skills and an opportunity to gain experience while working under the supervision of experienced and esteemed counsellors and social workers.

The Humanitas Specialization in Play-Based intervention course consists of 6 non-consecutive weeks of theoretical training, presented as in-person modules, as well as self-paced video recordings. 4 Modules are presented in the self-paced recordings format, and 2 modules as in-person attendance, making it very accessible for anyone to attend this course as a part-time course. Assessments and assignments form part of each module of the course.

Throughout the theoretical component you will be guided in utilising all theoretical knowledge in practice. Upon completion of the theoretical component, you will be completing your practical component which entails:

• Completing a therapeutic process with at least 6 children
• At least 60 hours of practical experience under the supervision of specialist social workers or counsellors in the play therapy field
• 6 months of scheduled group or individual supervision as well as ongoing support and guidance throughout your practical hours
• Completion of process notes as well as thorough reports, as if written for court purposes

You will be able to complete your practical component from any location. Please note that Humanitas & Vita Nova can provide internships for enrolled students, but should the student reside outside of the Pretoria area, it is the student’s responsibility to secure clients for the completion of this course. Should a student already have a secured internship, or employment opportunity to work therapeutically with children, they are more that welcome to arrange their own practicals.

We often receive the question on whether one can register as a “Play Therapist” after completing the Specialisation in Play-based intervention course. Unfortunately, one cannot register as a “Play Therapist” at any professional or governing body in South Africa, as there are no designation specifically allowing one to be a Play Therapist. A person can register as a certain designation at the respective professional or governing bodies, allowing you to work with children in a therapeutic or counselling manner, and then further your competence through specialist courses. For example, a social worker will be registered at the SACSSP as a social worker, with Specialisation in Play-Based Intervention (Play Therapy), or a counsellor will be registered at ASCHP/HPCSA, as your specific designation, with Specialisation in Play-Based Intervention (Play Therapy). There are, however, a few routes to consider when wanting to specialise in working with children, all leading to the same registration.

The Humanitas Specialisation in Play-Based Intervention is not accredited at SAQA, as Vita Nova Training (Pty) Ltd. is not registered at the Department of Higher Education, and can thus not apply for SAQA accreditation. This course will however, equip you fully to work therapeutically or in a counselling setting with children. There are no other courses in South Africa offering the extensive theoretical base, considering various play therapy approaches and modalities, as well as in practice application, under supervision of specialist in the field of play therapy, as the Humanitas Specialisation in Play-Based Intervention course.

The course is designed in such a way that it can be completed as a part-time course, from any location. 4 of the 6 modules are presented as pre-recorded videos that you can watch at your own pace during the course of a week, with a short online contact session (about 2 hours) the following Friday. Each module is divided into two parts, making it easy to view the recordings after work hours. Both Module 1 and Module 4 are presented in-person in Pretoria.

The dates for the online contact sessions are as follows:

To apply to register for the HUMANITAS Specialisation in Play Based Intervention Course, please click on the following link and complete the enrolment process. Once your application has been reviewed and accepted, send your proof of payment of your deposit, to: accounts@vitanova.co.za.

With enrolment you will receive:

• Theoretical and practical training, in person as well as online & self-paced recordings;
• All handouts and course material, including an in-depth manual;
• Regular Supervision sessions (online), guidance and mentorship
• Online student Contact Sessions
• Course Certificate of completion
• Lifelong access to the Humanitas community for continuous support

Fee Structure:

Non-refundable deposit is required to secure your seat.

Deposit: R4 999
10 Monthly payments: R4 000
Total: R44 999