Membership
Member Benefits
- Specialized Training: Canadian Association for Play Therapy (CAPTTM) members receive a substantial discount at all CAPT sponsored conferences, workshops and other events.
- CAPT Foundation Play Therapy Training offers individual days of unique training in the theory and practice of play therapy. Students can complete the 180 hours of continuing education credits at a pace and time that they choose. The 180 hours are one of the steps needed to become a Certified Play Therapist. The program instructors are professional skilled play therapists who bring expertise on a wide variety of topics. Members receive a discounted rate.
- Publications: CAPT members receive the Association’s periodicals as a membership benefit.
- Discounts: CAPT is involved in arrangements with some organizations to provide discounts to Association Members.
The Canadian Association for Play Therapy is the professional organization for those interested in Child Psychotherapy, Play Therapy and Counselling with children. CAPT performs many important functions for its members including:
- Professional Standards: CAPT sets high professional standards for clinical practice. These standards help to ensure that skilled and effective therapy is available throughout the community. CAPT has a code of professional ethics to which each member must adhere. Policies and Procedures are in place to govern CAPT and guide professional and ethical practices.
- Specialized Training: CAPT sets standards of education and training for professional therapist as well as establishing programs of continuing education and training. CAPT examines and accredits programs and training centers in Play Therapy. CAPT has established a Play Therapy Certificate Program, that is an intensive program, in order to meet our members’ needs. Information is available upon request.
- Professional Publications: The Association periodicals are published to advance the professional understanding of Play Therapy. Articles are published on clinical practice, research and theory in Child and Play Therapy. CAPT members receive these periodicals as a membership benefit. This includes access to the International Journal of Play Therapy (IJPT) during your membership.
2027 Membership Categories
Student Member
$120.00plus applicable provincial tax(Membership Number starts with SM)Criteria:A person who is registering in Foundation Training but has not started receiving supervision from a CPT-S or CPT-SI. (Non Voting)
For details about Play Therapy Foundation Training.
General Member
$120.00plus applicable provincial tax(Membership Number starts with GM)Criteria:An individual who is interested in the benefits of being a member of CAPT (discounts, access resources) and does not meet the criteria for, or is not interested in becoming a certified play therapist. They can come from any discipline (education child care, health, mental health, etc.). They are eligible for discounts on training that they may decide to take. They can alter their status at any time to fit in another category they may become eligible for. (Non Voting)
New Members to CAPT would apply for membership as either a Student or General Member.
Play Therapy Intern
$120.00plus applicable provincial taxCriteria:A Member who has completed at 10 Foundation courses and has started to receive regular supervision from a CAPT-S or CAPT-SI. (Voting)
Play Therapy Intern is a MEMBERSHIP CATEGORY ONLY and IS NOT A DESIGNATION/TITLE and as such CAN NOT BE USED AFTER A NAME OR CONTAINED WITHIN A SIGNATURE BLOCK.
Certified
$235.00plus applicable provincial tax(Membership Number starts with either CPTTM or CPT-STM)Criteria:A Member who has Completed all requirements required for Certification (Voting). To maintain CPT status, must complete CEU requirements and membership must renewed annually. (Voting)
Retired
$25.00plus applicable provincial tax(Membership Number starts with either RET)Criteria:A Certified Play Therapist who is no longer practicing but wishes to maintain membership in CAPT. (Voting)
Certified Play Therapist Supervisor Intern
$235.00plus applicable provincial taxCriteria:Certified Play Therapist who has applied to and been accepted to move toward Supervisory Status. (Voting)
Certified Play Therapist Supervisor
$235.00plus applicable provincial taxCriteria:A Member who has completed all requirement to become a Certified Play Therapist Supervisor. To maintain CPT-s status, must complete CEU requirements and membership must be renewed annually. (Voting)
Certified Play Therapist Supervisor Retired
$25.00plus applicable provincial taxCriteria:A Certified Play Therapist Supervisor who is no longer practicing but wishes to maintain membership in CAPT. (Voting)
Grow your practice.
Strengthen the profession.
Join Canada’s community of professionals committed to advancing the healing power of play.
Why Join CAPT?
More than membership. A community invested in your growth.
Wherever you are in your journey, CAPT connects you with the education, resources and relationships to help you move forward. Build your knowledge, expand your network and take part in shaping the future of ethical, effective play therapy in Canada.
Learn and Grow
Enjoy Member Savings
Find Your Community
Stay Informed
Advance Your Journey
Shape the Profession
Why Join CAPT?
More than membership. A community invested in your growth
Wherever you are in your journey, CAPT connects you with the education, resources and relationships to help you move forward. Build your knowledge, expand your network and take part in shaping the future of ethical, effective play therapy in Canada.
Learn and Grow
Access specialized training, professional development and events created for the play therapy community.
Enjoy Member Savings
Preferred pricing on training, conferences, workshops and events, professional insurance, play therapy tools and resources from participating partners and sponsors.
Find Your Community
Connect with students, practitioners, supervisors and leaders in play therapy from across Canada.
Stay Informed
Stay current through CAPT publications (Playground Magazine), research, newsletters and access to the International Journal of Play Therapy.
Advance Your Journey
Follow a nationally recognized pathway toward the Certified Play Therapist (CPT) or Certified Play Therapist Supervisor (CPT-S) professional title.
Shape the Profession
Contribute to a member-driven association advancing standards, awareness and advocacy across Canada.
A place for every stage
Your play therapy journey can grow with CAPT.
Discover
Learn about play therapy and connect with the field.
Build
Develop your knowledge through training and professional learning.
Progress
Complete clinical and supervision requirements toward certification.
Contribute
Maintain your designation and support the profession’s future.
Choose your membership
Find the category that fits you.
New applicants generally join as a student or General Member. Other categories reflect later stages of the CAPT professional journey.
- Open to people from any discipline, including education, child care, health and mental health.
- May change categories when eligible.
- Registering in Foundation Training.
- Has completed 10 days (60hrs) or less of Foundation Play Therapy Training.
- Has not begun supervision with a CPT-S or CPT-S in training (CPT-SI).
- Has completed at least 10 days (60hrs) of Foundation Play TherapyTraining.
- Has begun regular supervision with a CPT-S or CPT-S in training (CPT-SI).
- Has met all CPT certification requirements.
- Must meet continuing education requirements and renew membership annually to maintain status.
Supervisor Intern (CPT-SI)
- Is a current CPT who has completed play therapy supervision training and is working towards their supervisor status.
- They are currently under the supervision of a CAPT CPT-S.
- Must meet continuing education requirements and renew membership annually to maintain status.
- Has met all CPT-S requirements.
- Must meet continuing education requirements and renew membership annually to maintain status.
- Previously held CPT or CPT-S status and is no longer practising.
Note: Annual fees shown are subject to applicable provincial taxes. CAPT confirms final eligibility for each category.
Know the difference
Memberhip connects you. Certification recognizes your achievement.
CAPT Membership
Connects students, practitioners, certified professionals and others with CAPT’s community, education and member benefits.
- Available through several categories
- Supports learning and professional connection
- Required to apply for and maintain certification
Code of Ethics
Review CAPT’s ethical standards that guide excellence and professionalism in Play Therapy practice.
Build your knowledge, strengthen your practice and help
advance the healing power of play across Canada.
CAPT Certification
Recognizes eligible professionals who have met CAPT’s standards for training, supervised clinical experience and ethical practice.
- Formal Certified Play Therapist (CPT) or Certified Play Therapist Supervisor (CPT-S) title
- Eligibility for the public directory
- Verified CPT or CPT-S digital badge
The CAPT digital badge is a portable way to communicate your professional achievement and commitment to CAPT’s standards. Give clients, employers and referral partners a clear way to recognize your CAPT credential.
Membership FAQ's
Questions before you join?
When does my membership begin?
Your membership begins once CAPT has processed your application and payment. Memberships follow the calendar year, from January 1 to December 31. Your confirmation will include information about accessing your member account and benefits.
Do I need to be certified to join CAPT?
No. CAPT offers membership categories for students, professionals, individuals working toward certification, certified practitioners and retired members. Whether your goal is to become a certified play therapist or incorporate play into your work, CAPT can support your learning and career.
Does becoming a member allow me to call myself a play therapist?
Membership alone does not confer a professional play therapy title. Certification or registration requires meeting the qualifications established by a play therapy credentialing organization, such as CAPT.
Only individuals formally certified and approved by CAPT may use CAPT’s Certified Play Therapist (CPT) or Certified Play Therapist-Supervisor (CPT-S) title. Members should describe their qualifications and services accurately and follow the title-use requirements of their credentialing organization and any applicable professional regulator.
CAPT members who provide clinical services and have taken play therapy related courses may describe their services as “play-based” therapy or “play-informed” therapy.
Which category should a new member select?
Most new applicants join as either a Student Member or General Member. If you plan to take Foundation Play Therapy Training, select Student Membership. If you’re not taking Foundation Play Therapy Training but would like access to member benefits, such as discounts to training, select General Membership.
Is membership required for CAPT certification?
Yes. Applicants must be current CAPT members in good standing while working towards certification and must maintain their membership to retain their certification status.
I am taking Foundation Play Therapy Training Courses. When am I able to be designated a Play Therapist Intern?
You can elect to become an intern once you have completed at least 10 days (60hrs) of Foundation Play Therapy Training AND you are being supervised by a CPT-S/CPT-SI. Please contact the Executive Director to change your status if you meet this criteria.
Are membership fees refundable or transferable?
Contact the CAPT office before applying if you have questions about fees, cancellations or changes in membership category
How do I renew my membership?
Sign in to your CAPT member account to review your information and complete your annual renewal requirements. Renewals open in November for the following year. Members are encouraged to renew before December 31, however, can renew until January 31.
Renewals completed after January 31 are subject to a $25 late fee.
What professional Insurance coverage can CAPT members access?
CAPT and Holman Insurance Brokers Ltd. have partnered together to offer an affordable and comprehensive insurance program to cover members for professional liability and general liability. Premiums start at $180.00 per year, with 90 additional modalities members can add to their specific “scope of practice.”
Contact Peter Fetherston further for more details or visit https://www.therapistinsurance.ca.
Need help getting started?
Download CAPT’s Quick Start Guide for step-by-step instructions on becoming a member, registering for your first course and accessing the CAPT training platform.
