FAPT is a branch of The Association for Play Therapy, Inc. (APT). APT was founded in 1982, with the mission " to advance the psychosocial development and mental health of all people through play and play therapy by promoting
a) the understanding and valuing of play and play therapy,
b) the effective practice of play therapy through training, research, and support,
c) the recognition, incorporation, and preservation of diversity in play and play therapy, and
d) the development and maintenance of a strong professional organization to accomplish these objectives."