The Evolution of a University-Based Center of Play Therapy Education

Abstract

More beginning graduate students and new mental health professionals are seeing children and families in their therapeutic work, creating a growing need for play therapy-specific training and supervision. Training students and professionals in the art of play therapy is critical to the wellbeing of children, families, and the future profession. A university-based approved center of play therapy education aims to fulfill this growing need while undertaking a momentous amount of responsibility. Training skilled play therapists is a complex endeavor requiring a combination of foundational knowledge, advanced clinical and conceptual skills, and supervision that surpasses classroom coursework requirements. The authors describe the evolution of Georgia State University's Center of Play Therapy Education and Play Therapy Training Institute to provide readers with a comprehensive model for play therapy training and supervision.

Professional development in play therapy among counselors.

“…Research tells us that most counselors will work with children at some point during their career (Landreth, 2012; McNary et al, 2019). The university is where most beginning counselors get a view of what they are supposed to do in sessions.…”

“…The CDC also acknowledged the vacuity of effective mental health treatment for this population. Amid the overwhelming need for mental health professionals specialized in working with children, the consensus is that the method of choice is play therapy (Homeyer & Morrison, 2008; McNary et al, 2019). Play therapy has gained attention in recent years, along with a need to understand how to best train counselors in this method (McNary et al, 2019; Thanasiu et al, 2018).…”

“…Amid the overwhelming need for mental health professionals specialized in working with children, the consensus is that the method of choice is play therapy (Homeyer & Morrison, 2008; McNary et al, 2019). Play therapy has gained attention in recent years, along with a need to understand how to best train counselors in this method (McNary et al, 2019; Thanasiu et al, 2018). Increased interest in play therapy, combined with growing evidence-based support, suggested the need for a better understanding of training for counselors (Carnes-Holt & Weatherford, 2013; Flasch et al, 2017; McNary et al, 2019; Pereira & Smith-Adcock, 2013; Thanasiu et al, 2018).…”