We connect people.
We welcome the curiosity of students, mental health professionals, and others who support children and families.
Houston, Texas / Our roots: 1993
Small hands.
Big feelings.
Room to grow.
We believe play opens doors that words sometimes cannot. We bring people and knowledge together to support the power of play therapy.
A professional
community. A child-centered purpose.
Little moments.
Meaningful connections.
Meaningful connections.
A moment of play, photographed by Melissa / Unsplash
Connection✱Curiosity✱Compassion✱Community
01 / Our story
Growing together.
Rooted in Houston.
We are the Sam Houston Association of Play Therapy, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing understanding of play therapy and connecting the people who care about it.
Where it began1993
A shared purpose,
A shared purpose,
from the very beginning.
We began on August 27, 1993, as the founding chapter of the Texas Association for Play Therapy. Our history is grounded in professional connection, education, and advocacy for play therapy.
Explore our archived storyWe encourage learning.
We value professional development, shared experience, and thoughtful conversations about play therapy.
We build understanding.
We help our wider community discover what play therapy is and where to find qualified support.
02 / The language of play
Sometimes, a toy
says more than words.
Children do not always have the words for what they feel. In play therapy, a trained mental health professional uses play within a therapeutic relationship to help children express themselves and work through difficulties.
We share information to make that approach easier to understand. We are a professional association, not a counseling clinic, and we do not provide therapy through this website.
Learn about play therapy at TxAPT03 / A place to start
A little guidance.
More possibilities.
Whether you care for a child or work with children, we can point you toward trusted places to learn.
For families
Understand
Find a play
Keep learning.
Start a
Understand
play therapy
Explore the Association for Play Therapy's resources for parents and caregivers.
APT / Parents Corner For familiesFind a play
therapist
Use APT's directory to look for a Registered Play Therapist and discuss your family's needs.
APT / Therapist directory For professionalsKeep learning.
Keep connecting.
Explore statewide play therapy education and professional resources through TxAPT.
TxAPT / Texas community Get involvedStart a
conversation
Ask us about membership, professional connection, or current learning opportunities.
Sam Houston / Email usExternal resources are maintained by their respective organizations. Please confirm provider credentials, event details, and continuing education eligibility directly.
There's room for you here
Good things begin
with a connection.
Have a question about our community, membership, or educational opportunities? We'd love to hear from you.
Say hello
Write to usinfo@samhoustonchapter.org
Our mailing address
PO Box 79013
Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Mailing address only, not a therapy location.
Please email
before sending mail.
A few helpful answers
Wondering
about something?
Do you provide therapy for children?
We are a nonprofit professional association, not a direct-service clinic. For individual care, we encourage you to use the APT therapist directory and contact a qualified professional directly. This website does not offer diagnosis, treatment, or crisis services.
Who can connect with our community?
We welcome inquiries from mental health professionals, students, and people interested in play therapy and the well-being of children and families. Email us to ask about current membership arrangements and ways to participate.
Where can I find workshops or training?
Contact us for information about our current plans. You can also explore the Texas Association for Play Therapy website for statewide opportunities. Confirm dates, registration, and any continuing education credit with the event organizer before enrolling.
Do you award play therapy credentials?
No. APT manages its Registered Play Therapist credentials. Our community supports learning and professional connection; membership does not itself confer a professional credential.
What should I include in an email?
Please share your name and a general question. Do not send a child's records, diagnosis, or other sensitive health information. Email is not a therapy intake service or an emergency channel.