The British Association of Play Therapists 31, Cedar Drive Keynsham Bristol BS31 2TY England Tel/Fax: 01179 860390 Email: info@bapt.uk.com Website: www.bapt.info

The British Association of Play Therapists: the first and foremost professional body for Play Therapists in the United Kingdom

“Play Therapy is the dynamic process between child and Play Therapist in which the child explores at his or her own pace and with his or her own agenda those issues, past and current, conscious and unconscious, that are affecting the child's life in the present. The child's inner resources are enabled by the therapeutic alliance to bring about growth and change. Play Therapy is child-centred, in which play is the primary medium and speech is the secondary medium."

BAPT: the first association
BAPT currently supports over 400 members and since its formation in 1992 has made enormous progress in advancing the Play Therapy profession. The association exists to serve its members and to increase awareness of the profession among the general public. The association is recognised by national associations, government bodies and the general public as the leading professional body and voice for Play therapy in the UK.

BAPT: the foremost association
For over twelve years, BAPT has represented members' interests and encouraged those in the field of Play Therapy. BAPT Full membership is recognised nationally as the leading professional standard of proficiency.

By becoming a member of BAPT, you will become part of this country's leading professional Play Therapy body. In the public arena, BAPT membership represents the highest of standards and denotes professional status.

BAPT’s mission statement:
Nurture, develop and advance the profession and application of Play Therapy through commitment to

1. Raising public and professional awareness of the value of Play Therapy for enhancing the mental health and emotional well-being of children and young people;
2. Promoting safe, ethical, effective practice of Play Therapy through high quality regulated training, monitored continuing professional development, and evidence-based research;
3. Equal opportunities to meet the needs of a diverse population;
4. Maintenance of a strong professional association.

What is Play Therapy?
Play Therapy is an effective therapy that helps children to explore their feelings, to express themselves and to make sense of their life experiences.

Play is children's natural medium to learn, communicate and to explore their worlds. Recovery from difficult life experiences can be facilitated by a Play Therapist allowing a child freedom of expression in a safe and trusting environment.

Conventional talking therapies may be inappropriate for children and young people who struggle to put their feelings into words. Play Therapy allows children the opportunity to explore and understand these feelings. It can enable them to shift their perspective of abuse or difficulty so that they are less likely to internalise blame. The resulting empowerment and increased self esteem can be the springboard to help the child to cope with difficulties in the real world.

Children from different cultures, genders and abilities can all be helped by Play Therapy.

Who can benefit from Play Therapy?
Play Therapy is appropriate for children with a variety of presenting problems (e.g. children who have been abused, those who have experienced loss, children who are ill or disabled or children who have witnessed violence). Play Therapy can offer children a space in which the feelings these experiences generate can be expressed and contained. It can promote resilience within each child to enable him or her to discover a more hopeful view of the world. Play Therapy is appropriate for children of all ages, but is most often used for children aged between three and twelve years. Play Therapists generally work with individual children but many have experience of working with groups and with siblings.

How can I find a Play Therapist?
Use our on-line search facility: www.bapt.info/findaqualifiedplaytherapist.asp

For comprehensive information on BAPT and on Play Therapy, to download a membership form or order publications visit www.bapt.info

Contact BAPT’s administrator, Pauline Hawley, by email info@bapt.uk.com or phone/fax 01179 860390

 

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