Play Therapist / Senior (Counselling Centre)

Senior / Play Therapist (Counselling Centre)

JOB DESCRIPTION FOR SENIOR / PLAY THERAPIST

The Senior Play Therapist will work closely with children, parents, families, and other professionals to assess and treat emotional, behavioral, and developmental issues in children using play therapy and other therapeutic approaches. This role includes providing direct therapy, conducting assessments, developing treatment plans, and offering guidance and supervision to junior therapists. Additionally, the Senior Play Therapist will mentor and supervise the team of play therapists, contribute to program development, and lead community outreach initiatives.

Roles & Responsibilities:

Clinical Practice:

• Provide individual and group play therapy to children with a variety of emotional, psychological, and developmental challenges (e.g., trauma, anxiety, depression, behavioural disorders, and grief).

• Use a range of play therapy techniques (e.g., non-directive play therapy, directive play therapy, art therapy, sand tray therapy) to help children express emotions and resolve psychological difficulties.

• Conduct systematic needs assessment and service planning including intake evaluation, treatment assessment, planning and evaluation.

• Conduct detailed psychological assessments, including intake evaluations, therapeutic assessments, and treatment planning.

• Develop, implement, and monitor individualized treatment plans based on each child's unique needs and progress.

• Integrate play therapy techniques with other therapeutic modalities, such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), and psycho

• dynamic therapy, etc., when necessary.
  Provide crisis intervention and ongoing therapeutic support when needed.

• To attend to individual clients and other centre needs when there is no Play Therapy intervention work.

Therapeutic Supervision & Leadership:

• Supervise and mentor junior play therapists and other clinical staff, providing clinical guidance, feedback, and professional development.

• Lead clinical case discussions and offer expert consultation to the team on complex cases.

• Take on a leadership role in fostering a collaborative team environment focused on holistic, client-centred care.

• Develop and facilitate internal training workshops on play therapy techniques, child development, and therapeutic interventions for team members.

Family & Caregiver Support:

• Work closely with parents, caregivers, and family members to ensure they are actively involved in the therapeutic process.

• Provide psychoeducation to parents regarding child development, therapeutic approaches, and how to support their child's emotional well-being at home.

• Conduct family therapy when appropriate to strengthen family dynamics and improve communication and emotional connections.

Administrative Responsibilities:

• Maintain accurate and timely documentation for all therapy sessions, progress notes, assessments, and treatment plans in compliance with professional and organizational standards.

• Ensure that all practices comply with the relevant laws, ethical guidelines, and regulations, including those set by the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC) and the Ministry of Health (MOH).

• Participate in regular team meetings, clinical audits, and quality assurance initiatives to ensure the delivery of high-quality therapeutic services.

Community Outreach & Advocacy:

• Engage in community outreach activities to raise awareness about the benefits of play therapy and child mental health services.

• Represent the organization in external meetings, conferences, and public forums related to child therapy and mental health advocacy.

• Collaborate with external professionals such as schools, paediatricians, social workers, and other healthcare providers to ensure comprehensive and integrated care for children.

• Support centre-based initiatives, outreach and services.

Key Requirements:

Education & Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Counselling, or a related field.

• Certification in Play Therapy (e.g., Registered Play Therapist or equivalent) is required.

• Additional training or certification in psychotherapy, child development, or family therapy is highly desirable.

• Registration with the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC), Association for Play Therapy (APTS), or equivalent body is preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of 2 years of clinical experience in play therapy, with a demonstrated track record of working with children, adolescents, and families or atleast 5 years experience with Supervision skills and experience for a Senior role.

• Experience in psychotherapeutic interventions for children with emotional and behavioural challenges, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief.

• Experience in developing individualized treatment plans.

• Proven ability to supervise and mentor junior therapists in a clinical setting.

Therapeutic Competencies:

• Expertise in a variety of play therapy approaches (preferably), including non-directive play therapy, directive play therapy, and sand tray therapy.

• Strong understanding of child development and the ability to adapt therapeutic interventions based on a child's developmental stage.

• Competence in integrating psychotherapy techniques such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) with play therapy approaches (preferably).

• Strong diagnostic skills, with the ability to assess and treat a wide range of emotional and behavioural challenges in children.

Leadership & Supervision:

• Strong leadership abilities with experience in supervising and mentoring junior therapists.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams to ensure holistic and client-centred care.

• Strong communication skills for both interpersonal interactions and written documentation.

Thank you for your interest and your application. We regret that only shortlisted candidates will be notified for interview.