School of Play and Creative Therapies

30/09/2026

TRAIN IN MANCHESTER | SUMMER SCHOOL 2027 ☀️

Ready to take the next step towards becoming a Play Therapist?

Join the School of Play and Creative Therapies in Manchester for Year 1 of our Level 7 Diploma in Relational Play and Creative Therapy – Children and Young People.

15 days of face-to-face training in Manchester
4 online teaching days throughout the year
Complete Year 1 of your Level 7 training

Our relational approach goes beyond traditional play therapy, preparing you to work therapeutically with children and young people using play, creativity, relationship and a wide range of therapeutic approaches.

Come and train with us in Manchester and start your journey into play therapy.

Find out more and apply:
https://schoolofpact.com/courses/level-7-diploma-in-relational-play-and-creative-therapy-children-and-young-people-summerschooly1_2027/

29/09/2026

These little guys have been such an important part of my kit for years. The stories they could tell!

28/09/2026

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27/09/2026

School of Play and Creative Therapies (PACT) and Play and Child Therapists Ireland (PCTI) Partnership

School of PACT is delighted to partner with PCTI, to provide students in Ireland with a pathway towards becoming qualified play therapists.

This partnership is built on shared values and a commitment to the emotional wellbeing of children and young people. Together, we promote integrity, safety, kindness, respect, ethical practice, strong governance and high-quality professional education, ensuring therapists are appropriately trained and supported to provide safe, effective therapeutic care.

PACT will organise and deliver professional training, providing students with robust, relevant, high-quality therapeutic education and development.

PCTI membership body will recognise students who successfully qualify through PACT, supporting their progression into the professional play therapy community while promoting professional standards, ethical practice, good governance and public protection within the profession.

We aim to contribute to a strong, skilled and compassionate play therapy profession in Ireland, supporting therapists throughout their professional journey and promoting confidence in the quality and safety of therapeutic care for children, young people and families.

With children and young people at the heart of our shared work, we look forward to building a positive future for play and child therapies in Ireland.

25/09/2026

NEW ACCESS COURSE NOW AVAILABLE

Are you looking for a way to continue your Play Therapy Diploma training?

The School of Play and Creative Therapies has launched a new 5-Day Access Course designed to provide a bridge from a Certificate in Therapeutic Play Skills into Year 2 of our Level 7 Diploma in Relational Play and Creative Therapy – Children and Young People.

5-day Access Course

Bridge from Certificate-level training
Progress into Year 2 of our Level 7 Diploma.

Continue your journey towards qualification

If your previous training pathway has changed or you are looking for an opportunity to continue your professional training, this course could provide your next step.

Find out more about the Access Course, including entry requirements and course details, on the School of PACT website:

https://schoolofpact.com/courses/summer-school-2027-level-7-diploma-in-relational-play-and-creative-therapy-children-and-young-people-access-course/

24/09/2026

Our new book for book club is… Silence of the girls by Pat Barker.
If you want to join us please email us at [email protected] and read the book!

23/09/2026

Pschycological First Aid

21/09/2026

LGBTQ+ Affirmative Practice with Children and Young People
Facilitated by Michael Carrington | 31 October 2026

Supporting LGBTQ+ Children and Young People

Children and young people who identify as LGBTQ+ can face unique challenges that may affect their mental health and wellbeing. Experiences of bullying, discrimination, family rejection and a lack of affirming support can contribute to anxiety, depression, self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

The good news is that supportive relationships, inclusive communities and LGBTQ+ affirmative therapeutic practice can make a meaningful difference.

We’re delighted to introduce Michael Carrington, an experienced counsellor and psychotherapist who specialises in working with LGBTQ+ clients in private practice. Alongside his clinical work, Michael teaches on counselling courses, supporting trainee and qualified therapists to develop the confidence and skills to work effectively with gender, sexuality and relationship-diverse clients.

Michael also delivers LGBTQ+ affirmative practice workshops, using reflective and experiential learning to deepen understanding and strengthen therapeutic practice.

As a researcher, Michael is the author of the widely read 2024 article, “How can counselling training courses better prepare their trainee therapists to work with LGBTQ+ clients?”, which has received more than 5,000 views in the Counselling and Psychotherapy Research journal.

Take a moment to listen to Michael’s video to hear more about the course, his approach and why LGBTQ+ affirmative practice is so important when working therapeutically with children and young people.

Together, we can help create safer, more affirming spaces where every young person feels seen, heard and valued.

Reserve your place:
https://schoolofpact.com/courses/lgbtq-affirmative-practice-with-children-and-young-people

21/09/2026

18/09/2026

If you wanted to make a difference in the lives of children and young people, what would you do?

Would you become a teacher?
A social worker?
An occupational therapist?

Have you considered play therapy? Relational play and creative therapy gets to the core of the problems in a way that is not challenging or prescriptive.

Find out more by coming to our free one and a half hour information session on 29 September 2026 at 7.00pm.

Here is where you go to sign up.
https://schoolofpact.com/courses/introduction-session-september-2nd-level-7-diploma-relational-play-and-creative-therapy-children-and-young-people-september29th/