Ireland

Creative Psychotherapy & Play Thereapy

Course code: —
Level: Level 9
Award: Postgraduate Diploma (Level 9 NFQ)
Classification: Major
Awarding body: QQI
Duration: 4 years part-time. There are two intakes each year. The course runs for the full day on each date. A similar schedule of dates are set each year. The following dates are provisional and subject to change. The location in brackets after each date identifies the location for that module. The dates below are the provisional dates for the 2026-2027 academic year. There may be some slight changes to this schedule. Year 1 Group 1 2026 -2027 3rd – 6th July (Limerick), 22nd – 23rdAug (Westmeath), 12th – 14th September (Limerick), 10th – 11th October (Westmeath), 28th – 29th – November (Limerick), 30th Jan-1st Feb (Ballymore), 5th – 7th March (Limerick), 24th – 25th April (Limerick) Year 1 Group 2 2026-2027 28th – 31st Aug (Limerick), 26th – 27th Sep (Westmeath), 17th – 19th Oct (Limerick), 21st -22nd November (Westmeath), 16th – 17th Jan (Limerick), 20th – 22nd Feb (Westmeath), 2nd – 4th April (Limerick), 15th – 16th May (Westmeath) Year 2 Group 1 2026-2027 4th – 6th Sep (Limerick), 3rd – 4th Oct (Online), 7th – 9th Nov (Limerick), 5th – 7th Dec (Westmeath), Dec-Jan (Self Directed Study), 13th – 14th Feb (Westmeath), 13th–15th March (Westmeath), 10th April (Online), 16th – 18th April (Westmeath), 8th-10th May (Westmeath) Year 2 Group 2 2026-2027 18th – 20th Sep (Limerick), 10th-11th Oct (Online), 14th-16th Nov (Limerick), 12th-14th Dec (Westmeath), Dec/Jan – Feb (Self Directed Study), 27th – 28th Feb (Westmeath), 3rd – 5th April (Westmeath), 10th April (Online), 23rd -25th April (Westmeath), 22nd -24th May (Westmeath). Year 3 Group 1 2026-2027 11th – 13th Sep (Westmeath), 2nd – 4th Oct (Limerick, 2.5 Days), 23rd Oct (Online: 6pm-9pm), 7th-9th Nov (Westmeath), 29th Nov (Online), 12th-14th Dec (Limerick), 16th-18th Jan (Westmeath), 20th – 21stFeb (Limerick), 19th – 21st March (Westmeath), 8th – 9th May (Limerick), 5th June (Westmeath), 12th June (Online). Year 3 Group 2 2026-2027 18th-20th Sep (Westmeath), 9th– 11th Oct (Limerick, 2.5 Days), 23rd Oct (Online: 6pm-9pm), 14th – 16th Nov (Westmeath), 29th Nov (Online), 8th – 10th Jan (Westmeath), 6th– 8th Feb (Westmeath), 13th – 14th March (Limerick), 9th – 11th April (Westmeath), 22nd – 23rd May (Limerick), 6th June (Westmeath), 12th June (Online). Year 4 Group 1 2026-2027 15th – 16th Aug (Online), 11th – 13th Sept (SDL & Online), 25th – 27th Sept (SDL & Online), 16th – 18th Oct (SDL and Online), 31st Oct – 1st Nov (GP_Westmeath), 23rd – 25th Jan (Westmeath LC & EMcD), 5th– 7th March (SDL & Online), 10th April (Online) Year 4 Group 2 2026-2027 15th – 16th Aug (Online), 11th – 13th Sept (SDL & Online), 25th – 27th Sept (SDL & Online), 16th – 18th Oct (SDL and Online), 28th-29th Nov (GP_Westmeath), 30th Jan – 1st Feb (Limerick LC & EMcD), 5th – 7th March (SDL & Online), 10th April (Online) SDL days are Self Directed Learning Days, these are not trainer led days. The venues for most of the on-site training days are 1) Ballymore, (near Moate) Co. Westmeath, and 2) Limerick. We have fully equipped and resourced training centres in both counties. Some modules may also be delivered at alternative locations. Library facilities are available. Trainees complete their clinical practice (from 2nd year onwards) in their own area. These begin with play therapy and progress to psychotherapy practice during year 3. Fortnightly supervision sessions take place at a variety of locations around the country, travel is required to attend supervision.

Programme summary

This is a four-year part-time experiential and eclectic child and adolescent psychotherapy training with theoretical, practical and skills development components. It is made up of two distinct stages: the first two years comprise the play therapy programme and forms the basis for the final two-year component which leads to the psychotherapy award.

Entry requirements

This is a four-year course. The QQI award for those completing the 4 years is an MA in Creative Psychotherapy and Play Therapy. As the QQI award is set at level 9 on the National Framework of Qualifications entry is restricted to applicants who have already completed a suitable undergraduate degree. Entry to year 3 is restricted to holders of IAPTP recognised Play Therapy course qualification, or to holders of an alternative Postgraduate Diploma in Play Therapy plus the IAPTP Statement of Equivalence to IAPTP Approved Play Therapy Training, which entails additional conversion training to meet IAPTP criteria. Registering for the QQI award: Direct Entry to year 1 For admission to the M.A. in Creative Psychotherapy and Play Therapy, entrants will normally: Have a 2.2 or higher in a relevant undergraduate (generally a level 8) degree (for example, though not exhaustively, social science, social care, psychology, nursing, community development, education, counselling, psychotherapy etc.) or equivalent Have at least two years full-time relevant professional experience (for example, social care, education, childcare, social work, counsellor/creative arts therapist) working with children. Be able to demonstrate maturity, personal readiness and suitability for psychotherapy training including commitment to personal & professional development and a willingness to engage in a self-reflective process that includes personal therapy Have participated in relevant foundation level training (generally over 30 hours face-to-face live online or in person) in therapeutic play or play therapy. Ideal foundation training courses are the Therapeutic Play Skills Certificate and/or the Nature Based Therapeutic Play Certificate and most successful applicants will have completed one or both of these courses. The Principles of Art Therapy Certificate course is another good foundation level training course. CPD in play, creative arts and counselling skills are also useful. Successfully undertake a selection interview. Commit to full attendance for all 4 years of the course. Registering for the QQI award: Indirect Entry A small number of applicants, with extensive relevant professional experience (generally 10 years or more in a professional role), who do not have honours on a suitable level 8 degree may be eligible for entry to year 1 of the academic programme via Recognition of Prior Learning (e.g. completion of training that is at a lower academic level than is generally required). Such applicants must demonstrate, and provide evidence to attest to their acquisition of suitable level 8 learning outcomes in a relevant area and will generally hold a full level 7 degree in a relevant area.

Who to apply to

Course provider