Canadian Association for Play Therapy
The Canadian Association for Play Therapy is a Canadian nonprofit professional association that provides play therapy training, certification (CPT and CPT-S), and continuing education to mental health practitioners serving children and families across Canada.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded-
- HeadquartersGuelph, Canada
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Canadian Association for Play Therapy does
The Canadian Association for Play Therapy (CAPT) is a Canadian nonprofit professional association that serves as the country's recognized body for play therapy education, certification, and advocacy. The organization delivers a vertically integrated stack of services built around a single clinical discipline — play therapy for children and families — and is targeted at licensed mental health practitioners including registered social workers, registered psychotherapists, psychologists, counsellors, and child/family therapists. Its core products are a 180-hour Foundation Play Therapy Training program (delivered via a PHIPA-compliant Learning Management System with 256-bit end-to-end encryption across 30 virtual course days), Advanced Training workshops in specialized clinical populations, and two certification designations: Certified Play Therapist (CPT) and Certified Play Therapist Supervisor (CPT-S). The certification pathway requires 1,500 clinical hours, 500 supervised play therapy hours, and 50 hours of supervision, with 12 annual CEU hours required to maintain the credential.
CAPT's business model is a hybrid of recurring subscription and transactional training revenue. The association collects annual membership dues, charges $190-$220 per training day (with a member discount), $300 plus HST per certification application, $490-$590 for annual conference attendance, and generates advertising revenue through Playground Magazine (circulated to a 2,000-person audience of members and adjacent professionals across Canada). Distribution combines direct virtual delivery, a 9-provider Approved Provider Network across four provinces (NS, ON, BC, AB), an annual conference (2025 in Victoria, BC), a new annual symposium (2026 featuring Paris Goodyear-Brown), monthly certification Q&A webinars, a Community of Practice for supervisors, and the 2024-launched Path to Certification Course. Founded at least by 2008 (date of earliest Playground Magazine referenced), CAPT joined the International Consortium of Play Therapy Associations in 2024 and is led by President Kevin St. Louis and Executive Director Scott Kettles, operating as a member-governed nonprofit with no disclosed external investors or parent organization.
Canadian Association for Play Therapy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Canadian Association for Play Therapy
- Legal name
- Canadian Association for Play Therapy
- Website
- https://canadianplaytherapy.com
- Company type
- Private
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- The Canadian Association for Play Therapy is a Canadian nonprofit professional association that provides play therapy training, certification (CPT and CPT-S), and continuing education to mental health practitioners serving children and families across Canada.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Canadian Association for Play Therapy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Guelph
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Canadian Association for Play Therapy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: CAPT generates revenue through annual membership fees, offering benefits including discounts on training and certification, access to exclusive resources and events, listing in the CAPT directory, and advocacy representation.
- Training Programs: Foundation Play Therapy Training (180 hours) and Advanced Training programs offered at member rates ($190/day) and non-member rates ($220/day). Group rates available for 4+ individuals.
- Annual Conference: Annual conferences provide revenue through registration fees: $490 for members, $300 for student members, $590 for non-members. Includes CEU credits for attendance.
- Publication Advertising: Playground Magazine (circulated among 2000 members) accepts commercial advertising. Media kit available with ad rates and placement opportunities. Special advertising policy during COVID-19 restricted online training advertising.
- Certification Fees: CPT certification application fee of $300 plus HST. Certification maintenance requires annual CEU completion and CAPT membership renewal.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Foundation Training Daily Rate - Member |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Foundation Training Daily Rate - Non-Member |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Group Training Rate |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | 2025 Conference - CAPT Member Rate |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | 2025 Conference - Student Member Rate |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | 2025 Conference - Non-Member Rate |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | 2025 Conference - One-Day Rate |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | CPT Certification Application Fee |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | 2026 CAPT Symposium Registration |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Two-Day Workshop - Member |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Two-Day Workshop - Non-Member |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels11 records
Canadian Association for Play Therapy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Canadian Association for Play Therapy delivers professional training, certification, and community services for play therapy practitioners across Canada. Core offerings include the 180-hour Foundation Play Therapy Training, Advanced Training workshops, and the nationally recognized Certified Play Therapist (CPT) and Certified Play Therapist Supervisor (CPT-S) certification designations. Supporting services include Playground Magazine, a monthly eNewsletter, an Approved Provider Program, an annual conference and symposium, and a public membership directory.
Product overview
CAPT is a professional association providing a comprehensive ecosystem of play therapy education, certification, and community services. The core offerings include Foundation Play Therapy Training (180 hours) and Advanced Training for specialized clinical skills, leading to CPT (Certified Play Therapist) and CPT-S (Certified Play Therapist Supervisor) certifications. Supporting services include an Approved Provider Program for third-party trainers, Playground Magazine (bimonthly publication), eNewsletter, Path to Certification Course, monthly Certification Q&A Sessions, and Community of Practice for supervisors. Annual events include the CAPT Symposium and Annual Conference with AGM. A public Membership Directory enables referral access to certified practitioners.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Foundation Play Therapy Training 180-hour specialized training program in play therapy theory and practice, delivered through 30 interactive virtual sessions led by certified play therapists. Forms the core requirement for CPT certification.
- Advanced Training Intensive certificate programs for specialized play therapy topics beyond foundational training, such as autism spectrum disorder and other clinical populations.
- CPT (Certified Play Therapist) Certification Professional designation awarded to therapists demonstrating advanced clinical training, supervised experience, and commitment to ethical play therapy practices. Requires 180 hours training, 1,500 clinical hours, 500 supervised play therapy hours, and 50 hours supervision.
- CPT-S (Certified Play Therapist Supervisor) Certification Advanced supervisory designation for certified play therapists with additional requirements including 14 hours supervisor training, 500 hours play therapy practice, and 50 hours clinical supervision provided to supervisees.
- Approved Provider Program Accreditation program for third-party training providers meeting CAPT standards to deliver Foundation Play Therapy Training or CEU credits.
- Playground Magazine Official bimonthly publication of CAPT circulated among 2,000 members and industry professionals, featuring clinical articles, critical reviews, and professional news.
- eNewsletter (Play on News) Monthly digital newsletter providing updates, training announcements, conference information, and member news to CAPT members.
- CAPT Membership Directory Searchable online directory of certified CAPT members allowing the public to find certified play therapists by name, region, or specialty.
- Annual Conference & AGM Annual two-day conference with keynote speakers, breakout sessions, networking, and CEU opportunities. 2025 theme: 'Play Therapy… in a World of Change' held in Victoria, BC.
- 2026 CAPT Symposium Annual workshop event featuring Paris Goodyear-Brown on 'Connection, Co-regulation and Self Soothing' with 1.5 CE hours.
Quantifiable outcome
- 45% of members are certified (CPT or CPT-S), 42%+ are working toward certification
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Canadian Association for Play Therapy
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Canadian Association for Play Therapy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Canadian Association for Play Therapy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- International Consortium of Play Therapy Associations (IC-PTA)coreCAPT joined IC-PTA in 2024, a transglobal network founded in 2022 in Switzerland that acts as a reference body to value, promote, disseminate, and strengthen the integrity and quality of professional play therapy and therapeutic play practice worldwide.
- Theresa Fraser - Maritime Play Therapy CentreminorApproved Provider delivering Foundation Play Therapy Training in Pictou, NS meeting CAPT's standards for curriculum quality, instructor expertise, and ethical practice.
- Theraplay CanadaminorApproved Provider delivering Foundation Play Therapy Training in Bradford, ON.
- British Columbia Play Therapy AssociationminorApproved Provider delivering Foundation Play Therapy Training in Vancouver, BC.
- Rocky Mountain Play Therapy (RMPTI)minorApproved Provider delivering Foundation Play Therapy Training in Calgary, AB.
- American Play Therapy AssociationminorAffiliated association in the United States, with cross-border collaboration on play therapy standards and professional development.
- Delta Ocean Pointe ResortminorConference venue partner for the 2025 CAPT Conference in Victoria, BC. Discounted rates provided for conference attendees using code CAPT.
- PlaySpaceminorGold sponsor for the 2025 CAPT Conference, supporting programs and events while connecting brand to mental health and child wellness.
- Theraplay CanadaminorLunch sponsor for the 2025 CAPT Conference.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Canadian Association for Play Therapy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Rocky Mountain Play Therapy (RMPTI): An Alberta-based play therapy training organization that operates as a CAPT Approved Provider. Comparable as a regional training provider in CAPT's network, focused on credentialed play therapy instruction in Western Canada.
- Pinnguaq: A Canadian nonprofit using 'the Powers of Play' to support rural, remote, Northern, and Indigenous communities. CAPT's President Kevin St. Louis is its founding Vice President. Comparable as an adjacent organization leveraging play-based interventions, though focused on STEAM/educational rather than clinical therapy outcomes.
- International Consortium of Play Therapy Associations: A transglobal consortium founded in 2022 in Switzerland that CAPT joined in 2024. Comparable as the apex body coordinating play therapy standards internationally; CAPT is a member rather than a direct competitor, but the consortium shapes CAPT's strategic positioning.
- Theraplay Canada: A Canadian provider of Theraplay (a specific play therapy modality) training and an approved CAPT training partner. Comparable as an adjacent training provider in the Canadian play therapy ecosystem, though focused on a single therapeutic model.
Regional players
- BC Play Therapy Association: A provincial play therapy association in British Columbia that is also a CAPT Approved Provider. Comparable as a play therapy-focused organization offering training and community for practitioners, though operating at sub-national scope.
- British Association of Play Therapists: The UK national professional body for play therapy, providing accredited training routes and PTUK-registered practitioner status. Comparable to CAPT in providing a national certification pathway, but serving the UK/Ireland market.
- Play Therapy International: An international play therapy organization offering certified practitioner credentials and training programs. Comparable to CAPT as a credentialing and training body, with overlap in cross-border practitioner recognition alongside IC-PTA.
Direct peers
- American Play Therapy Association: The leading US national professional association for play therapy, offering the Registered Play Therapist (RPT) credential, training programs, and an annual conference. Most directly comparable organization to CAPT in mission, product mix, and certification model, though operating in a larger US market.
Broad incumbents
- Canadian Psychological Association: The national professional association for psychologists in Canada. Comparable as a Canadian mental health professional membership and advocacy body, with overlapping membership base (child psychologists feature prominently in CAPT's membership).
- Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association: Canada's largest national professional association for counsellors and psychotherapists. Comparable as a Canadian professional membership body serving mental health practitioners, though broader in scope than CAPT's play therapy specialty.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Canadian Association for Play Therapy social profiles
Digital presenceCanadian Association for Play Therapy compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Canadian Association for Play Therapy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Canadian Association for Play Therapy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Canadian Association for Play Therapy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Canadian Association for Play Therapy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Canadian Association for Play Therapy
What does Canadian Association for Play Therapy do?
The Canadian Association for Play Therapy delivers professional training, certification, and community services for play therapy practitioners across Canada. Core offerings include the 180-hour Foundation Play Therapy Training, Advanced Training workshops, and the nationally recognized Certified Play Therapist (CPT) and Certified Play Therapist Supervisor (CPT-S) certification designations. Supporting services include Playground Magazine, a monthly eNewsletter, an Approved Provider Program, an annual conference and symposium, and a public membership directory.
Is Canadian Association for Play Therapy a public or private company?
Canadian Association for Play Therapy is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Canadian Association for Play Therapy founded?
Canadian Association for Play Therapy was founded in -1. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Canadian Association for Play Therapy based?
Canadian Association for Play Therapy is headquartered in Guelph, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Canadian Association for Play Therapy make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Membership Dues are the primary driver. The others are training Programs, annual Conference, publication Advertising and certification Fees.
Who are Canadian Association for Play Therapy's main competitors?
Others on record are Rocky Mountain Play Therapy (RMPTI), Pinnguaq, International Consortium of Play Therapy Associations and Theraplay Canada. Regional players are BC Play Therapy Association, British Association of Play Therapists and Play Therapy International. American Play Therapy Association is listed as a direct peer. Broad incumbents are Canadian Psychological Association and Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
Does Canadian Association for Play Therapy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Canadian Association for Play Therapy.