No. Most counseling programs do not require the additional training needed to work effectively with children in therapy, and clinicians are not required to disclose this to parents who are considering therapy for their child.

The RPT program requires significant training as part of its credentialing process, and at Nurture Family Counseling, we require any therapist who works with children to have either completed their Registered Play Therapist credential or to be working towards their RPT credential under the clinical supervision of an RPT-Supervisor.

In order to become a Registered Play Therapist, a clinician must first be a fully licensed mental health professional with a graduate degree in a counseling field. They then undergo a lengthy process of learning and supervision in order to develop a post-graduate specialty in providing services for children. This credential ensures that your child receives quality mental healthcare that is specific to their developmental needs.