‘Play’ has certain healing powers to it. Play therapists channel and use these powers to address mental health issues. It is a style of counseling and therapy mainly directed towards children. Play therapists in Maryland are licensed counselors or clinical social workers who specialize in this form of therapy. So, the general rules of licensure and renewal are applicable.
Continuing education (CE) is a program that has been created and put into effect under the guidance of the IACET (International Association for Continuing Education & Training) and the ANSI (American National Standards Institute). The main objective of this program is to ensure the professionals who practice their trade do not stagnate but keep themselves motivated and current with continued learning. It has, therefore, become a legal requirement in order for you to renew your therapist license.
CEUs are continuing education units spanning about an hour each. Any practitioner of play therapy in Maryland seeking to renew his/her license is expected to complete 40 CE hours. The state allows you to earn 20-hour credits through approved independent study coursework. The remaining 20 can be gained from contact programs like in-person classes or live interactive webinars that we at Core Wellness offer.
While the Maryland Play Therapist CEU is not a fixed curriculum, you are expected to gain credits in topics directly connected to your practice. You can choose topics related to child psychology, behavioral therapy and so on. The state also requires you to take courses on ethics and legal implications of working with children as part of the Maryland Play Therapist CEU.