Healing in the Hallways: Bringing Play Therapy into Schools with Dr. Kristi Perryman

Healing in the Hallways: Bringing Play Therapy into Schools with Dr. Kristi Perryman

What happens when we meet children where they spend the majority of their lives—not in an isolated clinic, but right in the school building? In this episode, we sit down with the incredible Dr. Kristi Perryman, Director and Founder of the Office of Play Therapy Research and Training at the University of Arkansas and Chair-Elect for the national Association for Play Therapy (APT) Board. Long before she was a leading researcher and counselor educator, Dr. Perryman was on the front lines as a special education teacher, elementary school counselor, and middle school counselor. She lived the realities of the school system firsthand. Dr. Perryman shares the powerful story of what drove her from the classroom to the playroom, and how her early days in the schools shaped her passion for Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT). We dive deep into: * The "Why": The turning points in her early career that revealed a massive gap in how schools address emotional and trauma-related barriers to learning. * The "How": Practical strategies for successfully advocating for, setting up, and integrating sustainable play therapy programs within public school systems. * The Impact: How her landmark research proves that honoring a child's natural language—play—directly shifts behavioral, emotional, and even academic outcomes. Whether you are a school counselor trying to carve out a therapeutic space, a clinician looking to partner with local districts, or an educator wanting to understand the neuroscience of healing, Dr. Perryman’s journey provides a masterclass in systemic advocacy and deep compassion.

Dr. PJ Blanco provides Tips and Insights for CCPT in Schools

In this episode, the hosts sit down with prominent child-centered play therapy (CCPT) researcher Dr. PJ Bianco to discuss the complex real-world challenges of practicing in school environments. The conversation centers heavily on a common point of friction for school counselors and contracted clinicians: navigating school administrations that ban or restrict aggressive toys from the playroom. The guest and hosts share clinical anecdotes, strategy adaptations, and therapeutic mindsets for maintaining programmatic success when systemic bureaucracy limits your toolset.

CCPT and Academic Success with Dr. PJ Blanco

Play Therapy & Academic Success In this episode of Playful Beginnings, the hosts sit down with Dr. PJ Blanco to unpack his groundbreaking research on the correlation between Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) and academic achievement. Key Takeaways from the Conversation: * The Academic Disconnect: Schools frequently pour resources into traditional academic interventions (tutoring, extra drills, remedial classes). However, Dr. Blanco’s research reveals that for many children, academic struggles are not a cognitive capability issue, but an emotional and regulatory barrier. * The Power of the Data: Dr. Blanco discusses his empirical studies showing that children who received CCPT demonstrated statistically significant gains in academic achievement—particularly in reading and math—compared to control groups, even though academic material is never introduced in the playroom. * Unlocking Intrinsic Motivation: By providing a non-directive environment where children experience unconditional acceptance and autonomy, CCPT directly targets and reduces performance anxiety, stress, and learned helplessness. When the emotional weight is lifted, the child’s natural desire and capacity to learn are unlocked. * Systemic Advocacy: The episode emphasizes the necessity of using this concrete data to advocate for play therapy funding and dedicated spaces within school systems, shifting the narrative from play being "just a reward" to play being a foundational catalyst for school success.

Child Centered Play Therapy and Academic Achievement

Play Heals and Helps Kids Thrive in School! 🧸📈 When people think of Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), they usually think about emotional regulation, trauma healing, and behavioral growth. But did you know it also has a massive, evidence-based impact on academic achievement? On this week’s episode of Playful Beginnings, we are thrilled to sit down with the incredible Dr. PJ Blanco to talk about his groundbreaking research on school-based play therapy! 🎒✨ Dr. Blanco’s work bridges the gap between clinical mental health and classroom success. He shares the fascinating data behind how providing children with a safe, non-directive play environment actually unlocks their capacity to learn, focus, and thrive academically. In this episode, we explore: * The Research Breakdown: Dr. Blanco dives into his studies showing statistically significant increases in academic achievement scores for children who receive CCPT. * The Intrinsic Motivation Factor: How play therapy serves as a protective shield, fostering a child's internal drive to learn and self-regulate, even when facing performance anxiety. * Why Traditional Academic Interventions Aren't Enough: Why focusing only on tutoring or drills misses the emotional roadblocks that keep kids from reaching their full potential. * Advocating in the School System: Practical ways play therapists and school counselors can use this powerful data to advocate for play therapy clinics and funding within school districts. If you’ve ever needed the hard data to prove to an administrator, school board, or parent that play is serious work, this is the episode you’ve been waiting for! 📊💡 🎧 Tune in now! Search Playful Beginnings on your favorite podcast app or click the link in our bio to listen to our conversation with Dr. Blanco. #PlayfulBeginningsPodcast #CCPT #PlayTherapyResearch #AcademicAchievement #SchoolCounseling #EvidenceBasedPractice #PlayHeals #SchoolMentalHealth #ChildCentered This Research Spotlight with Dr. Pedro J. Blanco [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJ43aVODG94] features the guest discussing how school-based play therapy serves as a protective factor for children's intrinsic motivation and academic success.

Navigating the Hallways: Expert Tips and Techniques for CCPT in Schools

Working with kids in a school setting is a whole different ballgame. Between the ringing bells, packed schedules, and the pressure of academic demands, finding the space and time to truly connect with a child can feel like a jigsaw puzzle. In this week’s episode of Playful Beginnings, we are breaking down practical, real-world tips and tricks for working with kids within the school system! 🧩✨ Whether you are a school counselor, a play therapist splitting time between sites, or an educator looking to bring a more playful, child-centered lens into your day, this episode is packed with actionable insights. What we’re diving into: * The "Time-Crunch" Strategy: How to maximize short, 20-to-30-minute sessions without making the child feel rushed. * Creative Space-Saving: No dedicated playroom? No problem. We talk about how to build a mobile "play kit" that brings the therapeutic power of play to any empty office or corner. * Speaking the Language of the School: Tips on how to collaborate with teachers and administrators effectively, bridging the gap between clinical needs and classroom realities. * Protecting the Relationship: Navigating the unique dual-role pressures of school settings while maintaining a safe, child-centered environment. You don't need a massive, fully stocked playroom to make a massive impact. Sometimes, the most powerful tool you can bring into a school building is your own grounded, playful presence. 🧸💛 🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform! Search Playful Beginnings or click the link in our bio to tune in. #PlayfulBeginningsPodcast #SchoolCounseling #PlayTherapy #SchoolMentalHealth #ChildCentered #SchoolSocialWork #PlayTherapyInSchools #CounselorLife #SupportingKids