Living Lotus RPT Traineeship Program

A Developmental Pathway for Future Registered Play Therapists™

Become the play therapist you aspire to be with structured mentorship, specialized supervision, and a supportive professional community.

The Living Lotus RPT Traineeship Program is a two-year developmental training experience designed for students, associates, and early-career clinicians seeking specialized play therapy supervision while preparing for future Registered Play Therapist™ (RPT™) credentialing through the Association for Play Therapy (APT).

Rather than navigating credentialing requirements alone, participants receive a structured roadmap that integrates supervision, professional development, mentorship, observations, and guidance through APT’s three-phase model of play therapy competency development.

What Is the Registered Play Therapist™ Credential?

The Registered Play Therapist™ (RPT™) credential is awarded by the Association for Play Therapy (APT) and recognizes advanced training, supervision, and experience in the practice of play therapy.

Current credentialing requirements include:

• 150 hours of play therapy-specific instruction
• 350 hours of supervised play therapy experience
• 35 hours of play therapy supervision from an RPT-S™
• Five session observations
• Completion of requirements through a structured three-phase developmental model over a minimum of two years

Check current credentialing standards.

Who This Program Is For

This program is designed for:

• Associate Marriage and Family Therapists (AMFTs)
• Associate Clinical Social Workers (ACSWs)
• Associate Professional Clinical Counselors (APCCs)
• Graduate trainees, interns, and associates
• Early-career clinicians interested in child and family therapy

Licensed clinicians and allied professionals planning to pursue Registered Play Therapist™ credentialing, see our Professional Consultation and Supervision page.

Program Requirements

Participants must:

• Maintain an active primary clinical supervisor responsible for licensure-related supervision
• Practice within the scope of their education, training, and applicable licensing regulations
• Have access to child, adolescent, and/or family cases where play therapy interventions may be utilized
• Commit to active participation throughout the traineeship
• Be open to feedback, reflection, and professional growth

This traineeship supplements but does not replace supervision required for licensure.

Why Choose the Living Lotus RPT Traineeship?

Many clinicians know they want to become Registered Play Therapists™, but struggle to understand how to intentionally integrate instruction, supervision, experience, observations, and documentation. The Living Lotus RPT Traineeship was created to provide a comprehensive developmental pathway that supports clinicians throughout the process.

Participants receive:

• A structured roadmap aligned with APT standards
• Individualized growth planning
• Specialized play therapy supervision from Dr. Panicha McGuire, LMFT, RPT-S™
• Support organizing instruction, supervision, and experience hours
• Guidance navigating APT’s three-phase developmental model
• Documentation and credentialing preparation support
• Ongoing mentorship and consultation
• Community with other clinicians pursuing play therapy specialization

This is more than supervision. It is a professional development experience designed to help you become a confident, competent, and reflective play therapist.

A Collaborative Developmental Approach

At Living Lotus Therapy, supervision is viewed as a collaborative and growth-oriented process. Each participant develops individualized learning goals based on their current strengths, areas for growth, professional interests, and long-term aspirations as a play therapist.

With participant consent, Dr. Panicha McGuire, LMFT, RPT-S™ may collaborate with the participant’s primary clinical supervisor to support continuity of learning and intentional professional development. The goal is not simply to complete supervision hours. The goal is to develop into a skilled and thoughtful play therapist.

What You’ll Receive

Play Therapy Supervision

Participants receive:

• 15 hours of group play therapy supervision
• 20 hours of individual play therapy supervision
• Five required play therapy session observations (in-person, virtual, or recorded)
• Clinical feedback and competency development
• Support documenting supervision requirements

Professional Development Resources

Participants also receive:

• Access to the Living Lotus resource library
• Priority access to Living Lotus CE trainings and workshops
• Networking opportunities with fellow play therapy clinicians
• Option to join ongoing play therapy consultation group post-credential

Our Approach to Play Therapy Supervision

The Living Lotus approach is grounded in:

• Neurodiversity-affirming practice
• Trauma-informed care
• Cultural humility
• Anti-oppressive and liberation-oriented frameworks
• Developmentally responsive interventions
• Ethical and reflective clinical practice
• Experiential and relational learning

We believe effective play therapists are developed through both education and relationship. Our goal is to help clinicians become competent, compassionate, and culturally responsive practitioners who can confidently support children and families.

Program Format

The traineeship follows a cohort-based model over approximately 24 months.

Participants engage in:

• Monthly group supervision
• Scheduled individual supervision sessions
• Session observations (in-person, virtual, or recorded)
• Professional development planning
• Credentialing guidance and support

Cohort sizes are intentionally limited to foster meaningful learning, individualized attention, and professional connection.

Investment

Pursuing specialized play therapy training can feel overwhelming when supervision, consultation, observations, mentorship, and credentialing support are obtained separately.

The Living Lotus RPT Traineeship was designed to provide a more accessible and structured pathway that includes supervision, observations, mentorship, professional development, and credentialing guidance within one integrated program. For licensed and career professionals, see Professional Consultation and Supervision.

$4,250 Paid in Full

or

24 Monthly Payments of $199

($4,776 Total)

Your Investment Includes:

✓ 15 hours of group play therapy supervision

✓ 20 hours of individual play therapy supervision

✓ Five required play therapy session observations

✓ Individualized professional development planning

✓ Collaboration with your primary supervisor (with participant consent)

✓ Guidance through APT’s three-phase credentialing model

✓ Support tracking supervision, instruction, and experience hours

✓ Documentation and credentialing preparation support

✓ Access to the Living Lotus play therapy resource library

✓ Priority access to Living Lotus CE trainings and workshops

✓ Professional community and networking opportunities

A limited number of reduced-fee spots may be available for students and associates experiencing financial hardship based on availability.

Ready to Begin Your Play Therapy Journey?

Whether you are building foundational play therapy skills or intentionally preparing for future Registered Play Therapist™ credentialing, the Living Lotus RPT Traineeship provides the structure, mentorship, and community to support your growth.

For inquiries, questions, and interest, email: drmcguire@livinglotustherapy.com

Disclaimer

Registered Play Therapist™ (RPT™) and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™ (RPT-S™) are credentials awarded by the Association for Play Therapy. Participation in the Living Lotus RPT Traineeship Program does not guarantee credential approval. Applicants are responsible for reviewing and meeting all current credentialing standards established by the Association for Play Therapy.