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  • This program is open only to applicants residing within the United States.

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At a Glance

  • 1-year (part-time), fully online program
  • Completion of 13 academic units
  • Faculty mentoring and support available
  • Christian environment emphasizing compassionate whole person care

Program Director

Dr. Danielle Clair

DMFT, LMFT-S, RPT

Director, School of Behavioral Health Resiliency Clinic
Director, Play Therapy Certificate Program

Read Bio
Play therapist engages with a child

What is play therapy?

Learn more about this treatment modality for children and what you will learn over the course of the 13-unit Play Therapy certificate program.
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Admission

Applicants must meet the admission requirements as follows:

  • A fully completed LLU application form.
  • A graduate with a licensable mental health degree from an accredited university. (Official transcripts are evidence of degrees and courses completed.) Individuals already licensed as a mental health professional must be in good standing with the relevant licensing board.
  • Consideration for admission will be given to individuals in the process of completing a licensable mental health graduate degree from an accredited university. Applicant must be in good academic standing and have permission from their current program to enroll.
  • Submit three letters of recommendation from an academic source, professional peer, and/or a work supervisor.

Admissions FAQ

Application Cycle

Quarter Application Opens Application Closes Program Start Date
Summer 2023 November 15, 2022 April 15, 2023 June 19, 2023
Fall 2023 March 1, 2023 August 1, 2023 September 23, 2023
Winter 2024 September 1, 2023 December 1, 2023 January 1, 2024
Spring 2024 September 1, 2023 February 25, 2024 March 25, 2024

Check back after March 1, 2024 or email Dr. Danielle Clair at dclair@llu.edu for application cycle information regarding quarters beyond Spring 2024.

Program Curriculum

Length of Program: 4 academic quarters—based on part-time enrollment

  • PLTH 513 Introduction to Play Therapy (3 units)
  • PLTH 516 Child-Centered Play Therapy (3 units)
  • PLTH 546 Child-Parent Relationship Therapy (3 units)
  • PLTH 550 Trauma Focused Play Therapy (3 units)
  • RELE 510 Service Learning (1 unit)

Curriculum Guide Course Descriptions

Anne Leah D. Guía
Anne Leah D. Guía
The Play Therapy Certificate program at Loma Linda University helped me understand how to work with children and families. As an early childhood educator, I wanted to see how theories of play and play therapy intersected, and how play could support children going through difficult times in their lives. LLU's program enhanced my understanding of children, youth, and behavioral health, and how to guide young ones toward wholeness.

Program Cost

Get details on the standard cost of attendance at LLU. View Estimates

Certification Information

Completion of the Play Therapy certificate coursework at Loma Linda University does not include certification as a Registered Play Therapist. Individuals must apply to the Association for Play Therapy and complete all additional requirements. This program is not available to international students.

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Meet Your Instructors

Dr. Danielle L. Clair, DMFT, LMFT-S, RPT

Dr. Danielle L. Clair, DMFT, AMFT

Dr. Danielle L. Clair, DMFT, LMFT-S, RPT is a Doctor of Marital and Family Therapy (DMFT), a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, an AAMFT Approved Supervisor, and a Registered Play Therapist. She received both her Doctor of Marital and Family Therapy and Play Therapy Certificate from Loma Linda University (LLU). She is the Clinic Director at the LLU School of Behavioral Health Resiliency Clinic and the Program Director for the LLU Play Therapy Certificate Program. She is also a Contract Professor for Loma Linda University's School of Behavioral Health and teaches courses for the Play Therapy Certificate Program, Child Life Specialist MS, Marital and Family Therapy MS, and Counseling MS programs. Doing so has allowed Dr. Clair to continue to enhance upon the University's profound legacy of nourishing students' interest in learning how to therapeutically engage with young children, adolescents, and the whole family system. Dr. Clair is a current member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and the Association for Play Therapy, where she also served previously as President-Elect for the San Bernardino Chapter of the California Association for Play Therapy (CalAPT). She currently serves on the Board of Directors of Saving Innocence, a distinguished organization premised upon the advocacy of child welfare and its overall mission to end child sex trafficking.

Felisha Cullum, LMFT, RPT-S

Felisha Cullum, LMFT, RPT-S

Felisha Cullum, LMFT, RPT-S is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. She received graduate study in Play Therapy and her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from George Fox University. Her background equipped her to work with children and adolescents through the most developmentally appropriate treatment and their primary language: play. She is a Certificated Child Centered Play Therapy Practitioner with over ten years of clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and families. Felisha has worked as an instructor and supervisor for the Play Therapy Certificate program for the last seven years, teaching courses such as Trauma Focused Play Therapy, Filial Therapy, and Child Centered Play Therapy. She is an active member of the Association for Play Therapy (APT) and the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). Felisha has over four years of experience volunteering for the San Bernardino chapter of the California Association for Play Therapy (CalAPT), where she served as Secretary, President-Elect, and President. Felisha is passionate about furthering the field of Play Therapy through education and supervision. She is honored to contribute to the University's high levels of scholarship, professionalism, and spiritual well-being that promotes healthy families and communities.

Sydney Rucker
Sydney Rucker
I am very thankful to have attended Loma Linda University's Play Therapy program. The various approaches to play therapy provided different skills and techniques that have been very helpful in my work with children and families. The role-playing exercises in the program were a useful way to simulate realistic responses.