Expressive Play Therapy Certificate

This 14-day (7 credit) program is designed for frontline practitioners including counsellors, therapists, clinical social workers, and other practitioners currently working in the field with children, youth, adults, families and communities, who wish to enhance their skills and knowledge in expressive play and sandplay therapeutic interventions.

The course content is appropriate for those learners with a minimum of a Bachelor's degree or equivalent work/study experience, seeking to enhance their knowledge and develop new skills.  Students with a Masters degree in a related field may apply for Continuing Education Units (provider #95-010) towards registration with the Association for Play Therapy and certification with the Canadian Association for Child Play Therapy. Please contact the Centre for Expressive Therapy at 250.248.1290 or for more details visit www.centreforexpressivetherapy.com

The objectives of this program are:

• To prepare learners to provide safe, effective interventions and to choose and implement therapeutic materials conducive to creating a safe and therapeutic space for children and adults who have experienced loss, trauma, abuse and/or neglect.
• To provide learners with the theoretical principles of holistic expressive therapy as related to the subject of trauma, complex trauma, dissociation and post traumatic stress disorder in the counseling setting.
• To provide credit (credentials) for learners wishing to further their education and training (The core instructor is a continuing education provider for the Association for Play Therapy and the Canadian Association for Play Therapy, students with Master’s degrees may apply for Continuing Education Units towards registration with APT and certification with CACPT)

As of September 2010, new participants must complete the courses within a two-year period. Full attendance is required.

The following sequence is recommended:

• Expressive Play Therapy Methods (CY104)
• Expressive Play Therapy Methods – Level 2 (CY104A)
• Sandplay Therapy – Level 1 (CY265)
• Sandplay Therapy – Level 2 (CY266)
• Expressive Play Therapies to Help the Grieving Child (COUNS163)
• Final Project/Consultation Group (COUNS299)

Required Courses in Recommended Course Order (7 credits)

^{Note:  One day is equivalent to 7 credit hours. One credit is comprised of 14 hours.}

Certificate Application Fee: $75

Total cost to complete this program is approximately $1,950 plus LSF.

Course manuals are supplied when you attend class, and if purchase of books or other materials are required you will be advised of the details when you register.

The courses and certificate are open to anyone. There are no formal requirements for admission.

The course content is appropriate for those learners with a minimum of a Bachelors degree or equivalent work/study experience, seeking to enhance their knowledge and develop new skills. 

• We recommend that you apply at least two months before the certificate begins. Once an applicant is accepted, we suggest registering at least one month before the classes begin as the number of seats is limited.

• Submit your completed application form, along with a letter of intent, your resume, a work letter of reference and the $75 non-refundable application fee via fax, mail or email.

  Mail to:
  Justice Institute of BC
  Centre for Counselling & Community Safety
  715 McBride Boulevard, New Westminster, BC V3L 5T4

• Once your application has been approved, please register directly with the Student Services Centre at 604.528.5590 or register@jibc.ca.

• If you have completed CY104, CY104A, CY265, or CY266 within the past three years, they will be credited towards the new certificate program. Please indicate in the appropriate section of the application form if you have taken any or all of the courses.

To check current course availability, select the course name above. If you wish to register, follow the instructions on the course listing.