Professional Structure Model - Competencies - Categories and Profiles

Competency Profiles

The Professional Structure Model (PSM) contains a database of competencies. Competency profiles may be easily produced from it by selecting the appropriate competencies required for any post. 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.

The PSM is under constant development. The last major revision took place in November 2006, when filial play competencies were added and the framework was harmonised with those of other psychological therapies professional organisations. PTUK is now in the process of developing multiple behaviour indicators for each competency. If you are interested in this work or would like to contribute please phone 01825 761143.

PTUK 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

Categories of Competencies
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 therapist’s own time and finance

Our registrants use an Integrative Holistic model of Play Therapy.  It was introduced in 2002 to replace earlier models.  It is  validated by the PTUK clinical evidence base.  It integrates the therapeutic use of a wide range of creative arts media – the Play Therapy Tool-Kit; working  with unconscious as well as conscious processes; using non-directive and directive approaches and integrating research with practice.

We have grown to be the largest and most progressive Play Therapy professional organisation in the UK  through our high standards and programme of continual innovation.