A grounded guide for play therapists who want to start their own private practice

“I want to go into private practice… but I have no idea where to start.”

If you’ve ever said that—or even just thought it while scrolling job boards—you’re in good company.

Most play therapists enter the field through community mental health, schools, or agencies. And while those roles offer rich experience, they often leave us overworked, underpaid, and emotionally depleted.

Private practice can be a powerful next step… but it can also feel confusing, lonely, and overwhelming.

That’s exactly why we created Build Your Play Therapy Private Practice—a self-paced course designed to walk you through every stage of starting and launching your own practice, with heart and practicality.

What We’ll Walk You Through

In this course, you’ll learn how to:

• Define your vision and build a caseload that actually works for your life

• Set up your paperwork, systems, and tech tools with ease

• Talk about your work in a way that feels authentic

• Set your fees (and deal with the money stuff that comes up)

• Create a playroom and waiting room that support co-regulation and connection

• Launch with confidence and clarity

This Isn’t Business School—It’s Real Support for Real Therapists

We created this course because we’ve been in your shoes.
We’ve walked through the confusion, the late-night Googling, the “can I really do this?” self-doubt.

Now we’re on the other side—and we want to offer a clear, kind path forward for others

If you’re a play therapist feeling stretched thin, under-supported, and maybe even a little burned out from agency work—you’re not alone.

We know that feeling. The one where you’re holding everything together for your clients… but deep down, wondering:
Is this sustainable? Is this what I signed up for?

The truth is, the way most of us were trained didn’t prepare us to build something of our own. We weren’t taught how to open a private practice, much less how to do it in a way that aligns with our energy, values, and dreams.

That’s why we created something we wish had existed years ago.

It’s called Build Your Play Therapy Private Practice, and it’s a self-paced, step-by-step course to help you do exactly that—with clarity, confidence, and support.

Running a play therapy practice while raising a family can feel like juggling two full-time jobs. But with the right strategies, it’s possible to find balance and thrive in both roles.

Tips for Achieving Work-Life Balance:

1. Set Boundaries: Establish clear work hours and stick to them. This ensures you’re fully present for both your clients and your family.

2. Delegate When Possible: Outsource tasks like billing or marketing to free up your time and reduce stress.

3. Practice Self-Care: Prioritize your own mental health by scheduling regular downtime, exercise, and connection with loved ones.

4. Streamline Your Workflow: Use tools like electronic health records (EHR) systems and scheduling apps to keep your practice organized and efficient.

By creating systems and seeking support, you can build a thriving practice without sacrificing family time.

The playroom is the heart of any play therapy practice. It’s where children feel safe to explore their emotions, process experiences, and build connections. Creating a well-thought-out playroom can enhance therapeutic outcomes and set the tone for your practice.

How Play Therapy Helps:

1. Expression Through Play: Play therapy provides a safe space for children to express their fears and anxieties without needing to articulate them verbally.

2. Building Coping Skills: Through play, children learn techniques to manage stress, such as relaxation exercises and problem-solving strategies.

3. Strengthening Relationships: Play therapy often involves parents or caregivers, fostering stronger connections and support systems.

If you’re looking to specialize in treating childhood anxiety, incorporating play therapy into your practice can make a significant difference in the lives of your young clients and their families.

Whether you're just beginning your journey as a play therapist or looking to deepen your expertise, having the right resources is essential. Below, we’ve compiled a list of must-have tools and training opportunities to support your growth.

When starting a private practice, choosing a niche can feel overwhelming. However, specializing in play therapy can set your practice apart in meaningful and rewarding ways. Play therapy is a unique and evidence-based approach that helps children express emotions, process trauma, and build critical skills through the natural language of play.

In our recent podcast, we delved into what we wish we had learned in graduate school about embarking on a journey into child therapy private practice. Today, we're breaking down those insights into a blog post that's designed to help you navigate this exciting, albeit challenging, career path. Stay Tuned for our COURSE that will cover all of these things in depth.

Two Play Therapists tell all so you don’t have to go through what we did when starting your Play Therapy private practice! From therapy animals to slime creation to a cluttered playroom, we share our biggest mistakes in starting our Play Therapy practices and give you the big-picture takeaway so you can avoid some of our pitfalls.

Creating a well-equipped play therapy space may seem daunting, especially if you're on a tight budget or have limited resources and space. However, with the right approach and creativity, you can establish an engaging and effective play therapy environment. In this "how-to" blog post, we will guide therapists, students, and aspiring play therapists through the process of setting up a play therapy space that is accessible, budget-friendly, and tailored to your unique circumstances.