This competency-based play therapy supervisor training program prepares those who wish to supervise play therapists with the necessary foundations for effective supervision in this unique field of practice.
This play therapy supervisor training program meets the supervisor training component which forms part of the requirements for those wishing to become a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor with the following Play Therapy Associations (as at 3/9/25):
- Australasia Pacific Play Therapy Association (APPTA)
- Australian Play Therapists Association (APTA) or
- Play Therapy Practitioners Association of Australia (PTPA)
The other additional requirements for registration as Registered Play Therapy Supervisor vary between associations, so please check with your relevant association for details of all the components required for the supervisor membership category (e.g. play therapy experience, supervision hours etc.)
Pre-training activities
This involves a variety of readings and video which will take approximately 6 hours, spread across June–July.
Assessment activities
As a competency-based training program, LIVE attendance is required for ALL 4 days of the training AND successful completion of assessment activities in order to fulfil the certification requirements. Summative assessment activities will be undertaken during the LIVE training and Formative assessment activities afterwards (including a video role play).
This event is limited to 20 participants only to ensure a safe, intimate, and connected personal and professional experience.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Understand the goals, nature and functions of supervision in play therapy.
- Implement a competency-based, child-centred, and systemic model of supervision practice that holds the child client at the centre of clinical practice and decision-making.
- Develop supervisee competencies of case conceptualisation, developing and reporting on therapeutic goals, and identifying play themes.
- Develop supervisee competencies of working with the parents/caregivers/systems around child clients.
- Identify and respond to common cultural, social diversity, legal and ethical issues in play therapy practice.
- Implement play-based supervision activities with supervisees.
- Identify and support the wellbeing of supervisees for sustainability in working with children, with specific relation to interpersonal processes inherent in the nature of child and family work.
TRAINER
Katherine Olejniczak – one of the elders of the play therapy field in Australia. Katherine is Director of Psychology and Play Therapy Australia. She is an experienced psychologist, play therapist, supervisor, trainer, consultant, mentor and leader, and a published author.
Katherine is committed to the growth of play therapy in Australia and is a respected leader in this field. She developed Australia’s only current Play Therapy Supervisor Competencies and the first competency-based Play Therapy Supervisor Training in Australia.
She is also an AHPRA Psychology Board of Australia Approved Supervisor Trainer, and has two PsyBA supervisor masterclasses approved by the Board.
Her specific clinical and leadership interest areas include childhood trauma and recovery; play therapy; interpersonal neuroscience; and integrating interpersonal neuroscience into play therapy process, supervision and leadership development.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND?
This supervisor training program is essential for those wishing to supervise play therapists, and for those seeking to become a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor with APPTA, APTA and/or PTPA.
POST-TRAINING SUPPORT
To provide a pathway for ongoing reflection, questions and discussion, we have established a closed Facebook Group which all workshop participants are invited to join. All the details will be provided on completion of the training.
Katherine also facilitates an annual Supervision of Supervision Program to support emerging supervisors.
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