We are recruiting nominations for our play therapy awards, which will be presented at our annual conference! For submitting a nomination, you will be entered into a special drawing at the conference.
We are looking to hear about the amazing work being done by Iowa Play Therapists! Do you know someone who has inspired you or others to be a better play therapist? Do you know someone who has worked to advance play therapy in their community? We want to recognize them for their work!
To submit a nomination, send an email to IowaAPTawards@gmail.com with the following information:
- name of award
- name of nominee
- place of employment
- description of how they meet criteria
The IAPT Board will review nominations and vote on a winner to be announced at our annual conference in September.
Award #1 – Lifetime Achievement Award
This award is to be given to an IAPT professional member in good standing that has been a leader in the field of Play Therapy in the state of Iowa. If retired, has been an APT/IAPT professional in good standing. This is an award given as long as there is a suitable and outstanding candidate.
Criteria
1. Professional Scholarship – Therapist has contributed to research or other scholarly work through endeavors such as presenting at conferences, published research, or other publications (i.e.: newspaper articles).
2. Trainings – Provided substantial quality and or quantity of play therapy undergraduate and/or graduate instruction, continuing education, and/or supervision that advanced the field of play therapy.
3. Advocacy – Therapist has advocated for the health, wellbeing and protection of children and adolescents.
4. Advancing the Field of Play Therapy – Therapist has conducted substantial quality/quantity of public education or promotion that significantly advanced the field of play therapy.
5. Mentorship & Supervision – Has encouraged and assisted others in exploring interest in play therapy and achieving their RPT/RPT-S status.
6. Community Involvement – Therapist has been involved in making their community a better place for children and adolescents.
7. Currently in Practice – Therapist has carried a caseload over the last year that emphasized the use of play therapy.
8. Nominee has abided by the Code of Ethics, standard of practice and all other legal standards and requirements promulgated by those authorities by which nominee has been granted license or certification.
We encourage the nominator to include letters of support of the nominee for this award.
Award #2 – Play Therapist of the Year Award
This award will be given on a yearly basis to a RPT/RPT-S that has shown leadership, passion, and promotion for the field of Play Therapy in the state of Iowa. Nominee must be a current IAPT member in good standing. This award is given as long as there is a suitable candidate.
Criteria
1. RPT/RPT-S who shows dedication to promoting play therapy.
2. Has carried a caseload over the last year that emphasized the use of play therapy.
3. Engages in learning opportunities such as supervision, workshops, and reading professional literature to better him/herself as a play therapist.
4. Has encouraged or assisted others in exploring their interest in play therapy and/or achieving their RPT/RPT-S status.
5. Provided play therapy undergraduate and/or graduate instruction, continuing education, and/or supervision that advanced the field of play therapy.
6. Nominee has abided by the Code of Ethics, standard of practice and all other legal standards and requirements promulgated by those authorities by which nominee has been granted license or certification.
Award #3 – Rookie of the Year Award
This award will be given on a yearly basis in recognition of a new play therapist that has demonstrated passion, commitment, and excitement for the field of play therapy in the state of Iowa. This award is given as long as there is a suitable candidate.
Criteria
1. A therapist who is in their first 3 years of practice as a play therapist.
2. Has demonstrated passion for play therapy.
3. Has a genuine interest in helping children, adolescents, and families.
4. Commits to ethical and professional behavior.
5. Engages in learning opportunities such as supervision, workshops, and reading professional literature to better him/herself as a play therapist.
6. Is working toward their RPT/RPT-S or has received it.
7. Nominee has abided by the Code of Ethics, standard of practice and all other legal standards and requirements promulgated by those authorities by which nominee has been granted license or certification.
Award #4 – School-Based Play Therapist of the Year
This award is given on a yearly basis in recognition of a school-based registered play therapist (SB-RPT) or registered play therapist (RPT) who works in schools with students, parents, teachers and staff, school community, and/or the school environment. This nominee demonstrates ethical behavior, advocacy, leadership, commitment, service, and professionalism. They may work as a school counselor, school-based counselor, or other professional role within schools, and must be an RPT in- training or an RPT and in good standing with IAPT and APT.
Award #5 – Mentorship Award
This award is given on a yearly basis to an Iowa therapist that has demonstrated support of RPT/RPT-S and those working toward RPT/RPT-S status; models advocacy, ethical behavior, and professionalism. They encourage other play therapists and play therapists in-training to become better practitioners. This award is given as long as there is a suitable candidate.
Nominee has abided by the Code of Ethics, standard of practice and all other legal standards and requirements promulgated by those authorities by which nominee has been granted license or certification.
Award #6- IAPT Friend of Play Therapy Award
The IAPT Friend of Play Award honors an outstanding member of the community who supports and encourages the value of play therapy and Play Therapist credentials. The award recipient need not be a licensed mental health professional or school counselor and is encouraged to be a general member of the community. The primary intention of this award is to recognize outstanding community members who are not active therapists- like teachers, caseworkers, family advocates, professionals in the legal field. This award is given as long as there is a suitable candidate.
Criteria
- Openly value and actively support the use of play therapy in the treatment of children and adolescents.
- Demonstrates outstanding leadership in the area of children/adolescent mental health.