Play Therapist Qualifications
Play Therapist is a professional with mental health training background, applying child developmental psychology, social, attention and neuroscience knowledge to improve children's emotional and behavioral regulation.
Dr. Landreth, an internationally known pioneer in play therapy, recommended play therapists to finish at least master-level play therapy training and supervised clinical practicum, to ensure treatment effectiveness.
Our play therapist has received professional training in play therapy and counselling, and was awarded Master of Social Sciences (Counselling)*Distinction at the University of Hong Kong. She is a member of HKPCA and APT(USA). During her study, she received 1-year intensive play therapy training and supervised practicum. She was familiar in children's psychological, emotional, behavioral and social development. In particular, she was experienced in working with children with developmental problems and children with family problems.
Our center's play therapist also holds a speech therapy degree, she has been working in the field of child development for more than 14 years. With
dual-professional knowledge, it is hoped that it will be more effective in helping children and their parents.
Stella's post-Master training Summary: 150 training hours on play therapy by APT Approved Providers, 500 hours Supervised Play Therapy Clinical experience, 2000 hours of General Clinical Experience, 50 hours of Clinical Supervision by APT registered play therapist-supervisor.
Child-Centered as principle
Play is the most natural way for children to communicate, and toys become their vocabulary (Axline, 1969; Landreth, 1991)
Play therapy can help deal with children's emotional, behavioral, social and concentration problems. When children encounter emotional problems or frustrations, they do not have enough vocabulary or insight like adults to directly express their troubles or concerns. Often through different behaviors or social problems, such as being less obedient than usual, withdrawing, loss of appetite, physical discomfort, or nightmares. If parents notice a similar situation in their children, they need to seek help from a play therapist.
Play therapy was established in 1969 and developed by the American psychologist Virginia Axline, applying the adult counseling theory "human-centered therapy" to children. Up to now, it has developed into "child-based play therapy", emphasizing 3 aspects: acceptance, empathy and safe space. Play therapy uses games as a medium. With children’s most natural language: games, children can replay experiences, channel emotions, and express their inner world at their own pace. Let
The most important thing for children to achieve the most ideal growth is to build self-confidence.