[Sammy95]

I'm currently in year 11 and considering taking psychology, sociology, biology and art for A levels are these subjects good enough? (I WANT to take art) I searched the requirements and I found that I need a degree in psychology or nursing or childcare or something along those lines. Is there anything else? I'm currently doing voluntary work in an arabic school for beginners which takes place every saturday. I help with children from 5 years to 11 years. I'm also looking to do work experience at a local primary school for the last 2 weeks of year 11.

I want to know:
1) are my A level choices ok?
2) Are there any extra curricular things I need to do?
3) what degrees do I need to do at University?

thanks in advance

[Liv1204]

From what I know, to become a Play Therapist you should have a relevant degree in Psychology, Nursing, Teaching, Counselling etc etc etc, like you said.

You'd probably need a few years of relevant experience, either voluntary or paid work - things like you said you're doing would be good, any experience in schools is good, anything you could do to show what you've learned about working with children.

Your A-level choices look absolutely fine (and Art shouldn't be a problem - it can potentially link well anyway in that Art Therapy can be good too, and creative things such as play, art, drama etc are all very good for children).

You can also get an MA in Play Therapy after an undergraduate degree if you're interested, even if you're not you might want to have a look at this link anyway just to see the kinds of things you'd be doing (there are more universities who offer it, I know Canterbury Christ Church do, but they aren't listed here)

Good luck

[cberry]

I thought there was a separate course or masters you needed to do, I think there is for art or music therapy...

[Liv1204]

(Original post by cberry)
I thought there was a separate course or masters you needed to do, I think there is for art or music therapy...

There is a separate course you need to do to become a registered play therapist, but I'm not sure of the exact qualifications - it has to be registered by either the BAPT or by another organisation, as far as I know.

(In fact, just checked here and it says: 'Many employers will prefer you to have an approved postgraduate qualification and registration with the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT) or Play Therapy UK (PTUK).')

[Sammy95]

(Original post by Liv1204)
There is a separate course you need to do to become a registered play therapist, but I'm not sure of the exact qualifications - it has to be registered by either the BAPT or by another organisation, as far as I know.

(In fact, just checked here and it says: 'Many employers will prefer you to have an approved postgraduate qualification and registration with the British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT) or Play Therapy UK (PTUK).')

haha thanks :P i know that link, that's where i found out about play therapy lol

[Jenx301]

im planning to do a degree in childhood studies in september... I am not planning to become a play therapist but i do know that you can do a masters in it after the degree im doing

[Bubble87]

As everyone else has said play therapy is something you specialise in postgrad, it's run by psychology departments so I'd either go for that or a child care degree. Bear in mind some do require a couple of years work experience with children, or for you to have a relevant job whilst undertaking the course.

[~ Purple Rose ~]

http://www.bapt.info/playtherapycareers.htm#bme

[That's So Fetch]

I agree with you having to have a degree and then a post grad qualification to become a play therapist, but you can look at doing a degree that offers play therapy orientated modules.

This looks like a relevent degree: http://search.ucas.com/cgi-bin/hsrun....run?n=1156703

Here are some more degrees from the UCAS website: http://search.ucas.com/cgi-bin/hsrun...&word=PLAYWORK

Also, you need to get lots of experience for these kind of jobs. The experience in the primary school is relevent, but try to help out in the foundation stages (Early Years) of the primary school because every activity you do and assess is play based.

You could also try volunteering or getting a job as a playworker. These jobs are usually with your city council, so its worth looking on the website for your local concil and see if they have any vacancies. You could find a part time job as a playworker which would be ideal whilst you're at college.

You could also look for childrens centres (Sure Start) where you live and enquire if they run play sessions for children that you could volunteer for.

There also a good website called do-it.org where you can find volunteer opportunites within a certain number of miles from where you live and in specific areas of interest, such as children, families, education etc. Heres a link to the website: http://www.do-it.org.uk/

I'm doing some voluntary work where i do play therapy with a child who has autism. Its for the Son-Rise Programme and they have a website forum where families look for volunteers.

Here is the website: http://www.autismtreatmentcenter.org/forum.new/.

You'll find a volunteer search section at the bottom of the page. There's more information on the website that explains the programme and what its all about.

Oh and your A Level choices are perfect.

Good Luck xx