The Professional Structure Model (PSM) contains a database of competencies, which is maintained by Play Therapy International (PTI) in collaboration with its affiliated member organisations including Play Therapy Ireland. The competencies are grouped in five categories – see below.
Competency profiles may be easily produced from it by selecting the appropriate competencies required for any post involving therapeutic work with children. For example the competencies required by a Learning Assistant using therapeutic play skills to develop emotional literacy will be different from a Nurse working in a children’s hospital which will be different again from an experienced Play Therapist working with behaviour and mental health problems in a variety of settings.
PTIrl produces recommended competency profiles for its members upon request. These may then be used as a basis for producing job descriptions, person specifications and the design of training programmes. They may also be extended or amended to suit the organisation’s specific requirements.
Example of a Competency Profile – Play Therapist
Please email for this service at: contact@ptirl.org
| Enabling | Competencies required to enable therapy to take place |
| Therapeutic | The different types of interventions/’tools’ that a therapist uses |
| Support & Settings | More specialised competencies required to support other professionals, such as psychologists, psychiatrists, doctors, nurses, teachers and for specific settings |
| Quality Management | Competencies required to use clinical governance |
| Management | Competencies to manage resources including the therapists own time and finance (Practice management) |
