Audra York, MS, LPC-S, RPT-S
Audra York Therapy, LLC
4141 B Street
​Suite 301
Anchorage, AK  99503
Phone: (907) 952-8532
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 play therapy

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What is a RPT-S?
A RPT-S, or Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, is a mental health professional with training and experience working with children and families through the use of play therapy, with the additional background of supervisor training and additional hours required. A RPT and RPT-S has met specific criteria and is registered through the Association for Play Therapy.

What's the Difference Between an RPT and RPT-S?
For a Registered Play Therapist certification, you must have two (2) years and 2,000 hours of supervised clinical mental health experience (postgraduate direct client contact hours) required by state licensure. In addition to 150 hours of play therapy specific education and 350 hours of play therapy experience under a RPT-S to obtain a RPT title.

For a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor certification, you must also have an additional three (3) years and 3,000 direct client contact hours of clinical experience after initial full licensure. In addition to 150 hours of play therapy specific education, 30 hours of supervisor education, and 500 hours of play therapy experience after obtaining a RPT title to obtain a RPT-S title. 
What can play therapy address?
  • fear
  • trauma and abuse
  • adjustment periods
  • ​family and relationship conflict
  • anxiety
  • anger
  • sadness
  • social and academic difficulties
  • grief
  • stress
  • boundaries
  • self confidence 
  • behavioral challenges
...and much more
Check out these links for more information on Play Therapy and parents & play---
  • Parents Magazine Article on Kid's Point of View and Play
  • Child's Play: How Play Therapy Works​
  • Why Don't Parents Like Playing With Their Kids
  • Play Therapy FAQs
  • ​More on Filial Play Therapy

Play Therapy should only be provided by graduate-level mental health professionals who have met the required education, clinical licensure, and additional specialized training and supervision specific to Play Therapy, and to call themselves a Play Therapist.

The goal of nondirective play therapy is to allow the child to self-discover and become more accepting of who they are, by expressing their experiences using toys, games, art materials, and other ways children play. Through this experience, they develop and practice coping tools and healthy boundaries necessary for life. 

What is Play Therapy?
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Play therapy is a form of treatment that helps children and families to express their emotions, improve their communication, and solve problems. Play therapy capitalizes on children’s natural ability to express their feelings and resolve conflicts through play. Play therapists use various media, including storytelling, puppet play, drama, music, dance, sand play, painting and drawing, and board games. Play therapy is most appropriate for children ages 3-12 years of age, or with families with children that age.

Play is extremely important in a child’s development and understanding of the world they live in. Play is said to be the universal language of children. Toys are a child’s words and play is the language. Children are not equipped with the vocabulary to vocalize and describe their inner and outer experiences. They use play to portrait their experiences, emotions, and feelings in a way they can understand and communicate. Play therapists strive to allow the child to be, to lead the sessions, and look through the child’s eyes for their understanding of the world and their experiences.
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How effective is Play Therapy?
Play therapy is one of the most empirically validated forms of therapy for children and families. Some studies indicate that play therapy can exert positive effects for several years after the end of treatment.

A Note on Filial Play Therapy:
Filial Therapy (FT) is a type of play therapy designed to improve or strengthen the parent-child relationship. The idea is that by teaching parents [caregivers] to conduct therapy at home with their own children produced lasting therapeutic results, enhancing both the positive development of the child as well as positive skillsets for the parents. FT is a non-directive (the child leads the session), play-based therapy approach, and research has shown it to be very effective. Filial Play Therapy can also be FUN! It is a wonderful way to connect, bond and build stronger family relationship.
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Over time, children may:
  • Understand their own feelings better
  • Become able to express their feelings more appropriately
  • Be more able to tell parents what they need, what is worrying them
  • Become more confident and skilled in solving problems as well as asking for help when they need it
  • Reduce their problem behaviors
  • Feel more secure and trust their parents more
  • Have a more healthy self esteem and increase their self-confidence.​
 ​Filial therapy can help parents to:
  • Understand their child’s worries and other feelings more fully
  • Learn new skills for encouraging co-operation from their children
  • Enjoy playing with their children and giving them positive attention
  • Increase their listening skills and develop open communication with their children
  • Develop self confidence as parents
  • Become more able to trust their children
  • Deal in new ways with frustrations in family life

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