Description
Program Prerequisites:
Must have completed one Level 1 introductory program and their corresponding prerequisites to apply to this program (price of the introductory program is independent of the Certification program pricing):
- 6-Month Online Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy program
- 3-Day In-Person Introduction to Synergetic Play Therapy program
- Synergetic Play Therapy Supplemental course (no longer offered)
- 6-Day SPT Intensive Training (no longer offered)
Program Details:
This program begins with 3.5 days (21 hours) together in community with our first online learning retreat. Halfway through the program, we will reconvene for an additional 4.5 days (27 hours) for the second online learning retreat. During the program (with the exception of December and January), we will meet twice a month via live webinar (1.5 hours each). Students will have additional monthly assignments to integrate learning. The Certification process also includes 4, one-hour consultation sessions (pre-Certification consultation upon completion of your Level 1 Introductory course) and 9 one-hour consultation sessions (combination of group and individual) during the program with a Synergetic Play Therapy Consultant for a total of 13 consultation hours – That’s a total of 98 hours of learning!
*CE Credit Hours are not awarded for time spent in consultation, however, consultation is a mandatory aspect of this program.
What You Will Learn:
Participants will gain a greater understanding and knowing of the Synergetic Play Therapy model, as well as, an in-depth look at the neuroscience and research behind the model. We ask therapists/providers to go within to further ask the question, “Who am I?” with the understanding that as the authentic self emerges, therapists can increase their capacity to facilitate deeper and more complex processes within the child. Therapists/providers will also continue to learn the details of the application of the Synergetic Play Therapy tenets and principles while fine tuning their skills through direct practice.
Review the full Synergetic Play Therapy Certification Learning Objectives here!
Program Dates:
August 14, 2025 – May 19, 2026 (Access to program materials ends August 31, 2026)
Online Learning Retreat Dates: There will be two online learning retreats during this program: 3.5 Day Learning Retreat and 4.5 Day Learning Retreat. There are two retreat dates/times for each learning retreat to accommodate the many varying time zones of our global community and to ensure balanced and engaging experiences. The two retreat dates/times will be listed as “Retreat A” and “Retreat B”, below. Students will be automatically assigned to either Retreat A or Retreat B based on their location in the world. You will receive your retreat assignment upon finalizing your program registration.
Click here to see the retreat location breakdown.
- 3.5 Day Learning Retreat (Retreat A): August 14th – August 17th, 2025, 7am – 2:30pm Mountain Time (Denver) – (the last day ends at 10am MT)
- 3.5 Day Learning Retreat (Retreat B): August 23rd – August 26th, 2025, 7am – 2:30pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) – (the last day ends at 10am AEST) *August 22nd – August 25th, 2025, 2-9:30pm Mountain Time (Denver)
- 4.5 Day Learning Retreat (Retreat A): January 7th – January 11th, 2026, 7am – 2:30pm Mountain Time (Denver) – (the last day ends at 10am)
- 4.5 Day Learning Retreat (Retreat B): January 17th – January 21st, 2026, 8am – 3:30 pm Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT) – (the last day ends at 11am) *January 16th – January 20th, 2026, 3-10:30pm Mountain Time (Denver)
Important Live Webinar Dates: All live webinars will be held from 3-4:30 PM Mountain Time (Denver).
- (2025 Dates) September 16th and 30th, October 14th and 21st, November 4th and 18th
- (2026 Dates) February 3rd and 17th, March 3rd and 17th, April 7th and 21st, May 5th and 19th
*Please note, some dates are subject to change.
Program Requirements:
- Attend both multi-day online learning retreats and all online monthly classes.
- Complete 5 recorded sessions of your work with your clients and complete a corresponding video self observation form for each session.
- Complete three (3) Synergetic Play Therapy Certification Skill Assessments with your Synergetic Play Therapy Consultant.
- Complete 13 Consultation Sessions – 7 individual sessions and 2 small group sessions for a total of 9 hours during the program. 4 individual pre-certification or post certification (depending on when you completed your Level 1 program.) If you are unable to complete your pre-certification consultations before the program begins, you can complete them during the program.
- Homework: Approximately 2-3 hours a month. Homework includes watching recordings of play therapy sessions and completing video observation forms; personal reflections, and self observations of your own sessions with clients.
- Client/Child Contact Hours: In order to receive your Certification at the end of the program, you need to complete a minimum number of client contact hours using the model: 250 client hours for those seeking the Certified Synergetic Play Therapist credential, 150 child contact hours for those seeking the Certified Synergetic Play Provider credential. *Hours accrued while in a Level 1 program (Intensive, Online, Supplemental), plus any hours accrued while under the supervision/receiving consultation from an SPT Supervisor or Consultant count towards the total client/child contact hours needed.
Click here for a visual representation of program requirements by SPT Credential!
Once certified, you must renew your Certified Synergetic Play Therapist or Certified Synergetic Play Provider credential every 3 years.
Cost:
The SPT Certification Program draws students from all around the world. The Synergetic Play Therapy Institute recognizes the difference in currency strength and has developed a pricing structure to support our students. Please find your currency in the chart, below, to understand your payment options:
Click here to view the Full Program Pricing and Payment Plan Chart!
*A $150 USD non-refundable Application Fee is due at the time of registration and contributes to the total cost of the program. Once payment is received, you will be sent an email with the link to the online application. The remaining cost of the program will not be due until after the application is approved. (See further details in the Refund Policy section below.)
2025-2026 Application Deadline Dates:
- To receive the early bird price, applications must be submitted by: April 1, 2025
- To join us for the 2025-2026 Certification year your application and fee must be submitted by: June 16, 2025
CE Credit Hours:
85 CE Credit Hours. NBCC Content Area: Counseling Theory/Practice and the Counseling Relationship; Social and Cultural Foundations; Group Dynamics and Counseling; and Career Development and Counseling
Synergetic Play Therapy Institute has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7450. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Synergetic Play Therapy Institute is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Synergetic Play Therapy Institute is also an Approved Provider for the following associations:
*Australian Play Therapists Association (APTA) Approved Provider
*British Columbia Play Therapy Association (BCPTA) Approved Provider 23-01
Continuing education credit hours may be awarded to graduate-level counselors or students enrolled in a graduate-level mental health program. If you do not qualify for continuing education credit hours and would like to receive a certificate of completion for this course please contact the Institute directly.
*Please note: in order to receive SPT credit, you must have access to working with children. If you work in the mental health profession upon completion of the program you will earn the title of “Certified Synergetic Play Therapist.” If you work with children in another capacity, upon completion of the program, you will earn the title of “Certified Synergetic Play Provider.”
Partial CE credit hours will not be awarded. Individuals must meet all program requirements in order to receive CE credit hours for this program.
Refund/Cancellation Policy:
A full refund, less the cost of any completed pre-certification consultations and the $150 USD non-refundable application fee, will be provided if the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute is notified within 30 calendar days of program registration.
No refunds will be issued after 30 calendar days from the date of program registration OR after June 30th of the program year, whichever comes first. However, participants may transfer their payment to another program offered by the Institute or may transfer their registration to the following year. Requests for transfers must be made at least 30 days before the original program start date.
In the case of an emergency situation that prevents participation in the program, please contact the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute directly to discuss your options. Emergency considerations will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis at the Institute’s discretion.
*The $150 USD application fee is non-refundable with the exception of your application being denied. Should you be denied acceptance into the program, you will be refunded the $150 application fee less a 3.5% processing fee. Please contact the Institute if you have any questions.
Interested in Scholarship opportunities?
Limited Scholarships are offered through the Synergetic Play Therapy Foundation! Applications must be submitted to the Foundation by March 1st, 2025, for consideration toward the 2025-2026 Synergetic Play Therapy Certification program. For application details please visit the SPT Foundation Scholarship page.
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