U of A Office of Play Therapy Research & Training

U of A Office of Play Therapy Research & Training The office offers graduate level courses and provides research opportunities to students enrolled in

The University of Arkansas Office of Play Therapy Research and Training received its designation as a nationally approved center by the Association for Play Therapy on March 6, 2015. The office will offer graduate level coursework to students enrolled in the counselor education program at the University of Arkansas, enabling them to become Registered Play Therapists. Students will have the opportu

nity to learn in a state-of-the-art playroom as well as have opportunities to conduct research in the field of play therapy. As a designated provider for the Association for Play Therapy, the U of A office will also provide workshops throughout the year for students and mental health professionals seeking certification as a Registered Play Therapist or Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. Professional play therapists with expertise in the field will provide training. Dr. Kristi Perryman is an associate professor of counselor education at the University of Arkansas and the director of the Office of Play Therapy Research and Training. She has over 20 years of experience in the field of play therapy as a Professional School Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor. Her experience includes working as a special education teacher, elementary counselor, middle school counselor, as well as a private practice practioner, and counselor educator. She has also published in School Based Play Therapy and The Handbook of Play Therapy, as well as the International Journal of Play Therapy and conducts training on play therapy, sandtray therapy, expressive arts therapy, and supervision.

Join us for our summer conference! Registration details are below!
03/21/2026

Join us for our summer conference! Registration details are below!

Early Bird Rate Unitl March 27!

03/21/2026

To access the Director Candidate Questionnaire visit a4pt.org. Completed submissions will be reviewed by the Nominations Committee, chaired by Rebeca Chow, PhD, LCPC, RPT-S.

03/16/2026

The Foundation for Play Therapy (FPT) is proud to announce the offering of three (3) full scholarships to attend the Annual APT International Conference. Scholarship applications are due April 15, 2026 at 5:00pm (PDT). Recipients will be selected and notified no later than May 22, 2026.

03/12/2026
03/10/2026

Telling a child to “calm down” does not teach them how to calm down.

Young children are not born knowing how to manage anger, frustration, fear, or overwhelm. Their brains are still developing. When emotions become too big, the thinking part of the brain goes offline. In that moment, the child cannot reason, listen, or control their behaviour.

What helps is a calm adult.

When an adult stays steady, speaks gently, and helps the child name what they feel, the child’s nervous system begins to settle. This process is called co-regulation. It is how children gradually learn self-regulation, emotional control, and coping skills.

Over time, children internalise these calm responses. The words we use, the patience we show, and the safety we provide slowly become the child’s own inner voice.

Children do not learn emotional regulation from fear, pressure, or punishment.

They learn it from connection, safety, and calm adults.

LIKE the photo and comment "REGULATION" and we will send you a message with a link to a free PDF of this resource.

03/02/2026

Early Bird Rate Unitl March 27!

Great team of U of A Office of Play Ph.D. Students recruiting today at Arkansas Play Therapy Conference!
02/27/2026

Great team of U of A Office of Play Ph.D. Students recruiting today at Arkansas Play Therapy Conference!

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Fayetteville, AR
72701

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