Introduction

APT proudly upholds its core values by recognizing and celebrating exemplary commitment through its Awards of Excellence program. These awards are reserved for individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication, achieved noteworthy milestones, and made significant contributions to the organization through their outstanding service or research. By recognizing and celebrating such exemplary achievements, APT underscores its dedication to promoting and sustaining a community of excellence within its membership. Nominations are accepted annually between February 1 and March 15, and presented during its Annual Conference each October.

Types of Awards

APT currently features a total of (6) awards, five (5) of which are open for member nominations, and one (1) award is bestowed by APT Staff. For specific details and criteria pertaining to each award, please visit the Awards of Excellence page.

Helpful Tips:

1. Before you begin a nomination application, be sure to review the details and criteria ahead of time. Without the names of all the nominators you won’t be able to begin the nomination process.
2. You don’t have to complete the nomination application all at once. Simply save your draft and pick up when you have time.
3. When complete, the nomination application must be submitted as FINAL. Drafts will not be considered by the Nominations Committee.
4. If you submitted your FINAL nomination but thought of something else, that’s okay! You can edit your nomination submission until March 15, 2025, by 5:00pm (PST).
5. Please read all questions carefully and answer as completely as possible. Required information is marked with an orange asterisk; be specific, information not included is not considered.
6. A sample application is available under “Resources” on the right column.

NOTE: The APT Awards of Excellence program is for members of the play therapy community to nominate others. Self-applications will not be considered. For questions, contact APT at info@a4pt.org or call (559) 298-3400.

Service and Emerging Leader Service Award

Purpose
The Association for Play Therapy (APT) annually recognizes individuals for their outstanding organizational service to APT, its Foundation for Play Therapy, and/or its Chartered Branches, whose contributions have significantly promoted or advanced the value of play, play therapy, and credentialed play therapists. 

There are two awards in this category: 1) a professional or affiliate member in good standing who has been licensed for more than 10 years and 2) an emerging leader who has been fully licensed for 10 years or less.

Criteria
The Service and Emerging Leader Service Award is presented to a Nominee who:

1. Is an APT member in good standing.
2. Abided by the code of ethics, standards of practice, and all other legal standards or requirements promulgated by those authorities from which Nominee has been granted a license.
3. Rendered outstanding voluntary service to APT, its Foundation for Play Therapy, and/or its Chartered Branches for which they received no financial or in-kind compensation during the most recent 36-month, January – December period.
4. Is nominated by three or more APT Professional members in good standing.
5. May not be awarded to any individual more than once.

Benefits
The award recipient is honored during the next Annual Conference and is granted:

• One complementary 12-month APT Professional membership.
• Complementary registration to the APT Leadership Academy
• Complementary registration to the APT Annual Conference.

1. Abided by the code of ethics, standards of practice, and all other legal standards or requirements promulgated by those authorities from which Researcher has been granted (or will seek) a license;
2. Produced original research that is designed and conducted by rigorous standards and appropriately analyzed.
3. Is deemed to potentially offer high impact towards advancing the field of play therapy.
4. Demonstrates the value and effectiveness of play and/or play therapy.
5. Addresses critical gaps in knowledge or application of play therapy among diverse populations.

• Research Award: Authored or edited research in peer-reviewed publications, or authored significant research contributions to the field of play therapy that:
  • Is not a student thesis or dissertation;
  • Was published within the most recent 24-month period concluding December 31.
• Student Research Award: Authored or co-authored original work in the form of a Master’s thesis, doctoral dissertation, or other major research project for which the student is primarily responsible.
  • Designed and conducted by rigorous standards and appropriately analyzed.
  • Completed the research within the last two (2) years [if nomination is unsuccessful, the manuscript may be resubmitted within two (2) years of project completion].
  • It is preferable that the research, in its entirety be published in the International Journal of Play Therapy®. However, if this research has been submitted elsewhere, applicant agrees to the preparation of an article based on the research submitted and appropriate for either Play TherapyTM magazine or the International Journal of Play Therapy®.

• One complementary 12-month APT Professional membership for each researcher (max of 3).
• Complementary registration to the APT Annual Conference for each researcher (max of 3).

• One complementary 12-month APT Professional membership,
• Complementary registration to the APT Leadership Academy for up to two (2) authors,
• $1500.00 to defray conference-related expenses if attending the APT Annual conference.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Purpose
The Association for Play Therapy (APT) acknowledges outstanding lifetime achievement that develops, promotes, or advances the value of play, play therapy, or credentialed play therapists.

Criteria
The Play Therapy Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to a nominee who:

1. Is or, if retired, has been an APT Professional member in good standing.
2. Abided by the code of ethics, standards of practice, and all other legal standards or requirements promulgated by those authorities from which Nominee has been granted a license or certification.
3. Generated a body of consistent achievement, outstanding leadership, including contributions and services, for 20 or more years that significantly advanced the field and image of play therapy and/or the programs and activities sponsored by APT, its Foundation for Play Therapy, and/or its Chartered Branches at a National/International level.
4. Is nominated by three or more APT Professional members in good standing.
5. Is endorsed by one or more past Lifetime Achievement Award recipients.
6. May not be awarded to any individual more than once

Benefits
The award recipient is honored during the next Annual Conference and is granted:

• Lifetime APT Professional Membership, and
• Complimentary registration to the APT Annual Conference.

Charles Schaefer Play Therapy Scholarship