Play Therapy Institute
EXCELLENCE IN PLAY THERAPY STARTS HERE.
The Play Therapy Institute at Sam Houston State University is dedicated to advancing excellence in play therapy education, clinical training, professional development, and research. As an Association for Play Therapy Approved Provider (#07-211), the institute prepares counseling professionals and graduate students to develop specialized knowledge and skills in therapeutic work with children, adolescents, and families.
The institute serves as a hub for:
- Graduate-level play therapy training
- Continuing education workshops and professional development
- Research and scholarship in play therapy and child counseling
- Clinical skill development and experiential learning
- Community engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Play Therapy Institute is to promote developmentally responsive mental health services for children and families through education, research, clinical training, and community outreach grounded in evidence-based and culturally responsive play therapy practices.
APT Approved provider
The Play Therapy Institute at SHSU is an approved provider through the Association for Play Therapy (#07-211). The institute offers academic coursework and continuing education opportunities that support professionals pursuing play therapy training and credentialing pathways.
graduate certificate in play therapy
The institute offers a 12-credit-hour Graduate Certificate in Play Therapy designed for:
- Counseling graduate students
- Mental health professionals
- School counselors
- Related helping professionals seeking specialized play therapy training
Coursework includes:
- Child and Adolescent Counseling
- Play Therapy Basics
- Advanced Play Therapy
- Sandtray Therapy
Students receive foundational academic preparation in therapeutic play modalities while developing practical and research-informed clinical skills. These courses meet the 150-hour play therapy training requirement for Registered Play Therapy credentialing under Association for Play Therapy. For more information, please visit their page.
For more information about the certificate, please visit
OUR FOCUS AREAS
The Play Therapy Institute provides workshops, advanced trainings, and continuing education opportunities for mental health professionals, educators, counselors, and graduate students. Trainings are designed to support professional growth in areas such as:
- Play therapy techniques and interventions
- Sandtray therapy
- Trauma-informed approaches
- Child and adolescent mental health
- Parent-child relationship interventions
- Ethical and culturally responsive practice
Programs may include in-person, hybrid, and experiential learning opportunities.
The institute supports research initiatives focused on play therapy, child and adolescent counseling, family relationships, trauma, resilience, and counselor development. Faculty and students collaborate on scholarly and clinical research that contributes to the advancement of evidence-based play therapy practices and professional training.
The institute encourages:
- Faculty-student research collaboration
- Conference presentations
- Clinical outcome research
- Program evaluation
- Community-based research initiatives
Students and trainees benefit from experiential learning opportunities and specialized clinical training environments that support the development of play therapy competencies. SHSU training facilities include play therapy and sandtray resources designed to support supervision, observation, and skill development.
GET CONNECTED
contact information
Dr. Sinem Akay-Sullivan LPC-S, RPT-STM
Sam Houston State University Play Therapy Institute Coordinator
Whether you are a graduate student, practicing clinician, or professional seeking continuing education, the Play Therapy Institute provides opportunities for advanced training, professional development, and collaboration in the field of play therapy.
Visit us: 1932 Bobby K. Marks Drive Huntsville, Texas 77341
sxa055@shsu.edu
Phone
936-294-2538