Recent doctoral graduate Margaret Hindman was awarded the Association for Play Therapy's 2022 Student Research Award.

The honor stems from Hindman's article, "The adult public's perception of the utility of play therapy," which is based on her doctoral dissertation. Her research delves into how educating parents about the importance of play in children's counseling increases their belief in its impact.

"Margaret is very deserving of this award and is the first ever University of Arkansas student to receive it," said Kristi Perryman, an associate professor of counselor education in the College of Education and Health Professions and the director of the U of A Office of Play Therapy. "Her research is helping the national play therapy association measure parents' and the general public's perceptions of play therapy. This knowledge will allow the association to know better how to educate those making decisions about children's mental health care and improve services for this vulnerable population."

Perryman said the COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased the number of children and adolescents diagnosed with depression and anxiety. More counselors trained to work specifically with these groups are needed.

"Unfortunately, many training programs focus on counseling adults, and thus, counselors too often lack the education and skills to work with children and adolescents," Perryman added. "Children's verbal development comes later than their cognitive skills, so they express themselves naturally through play. Registered play therapists are trained to make sense of their play and use this information to help parents, teachers and other adults in a child's world better know how to meet their needs."

Hindman, now a remote assistant professor of counselor education at St. Bonaventure University in New York, will receive a plaque at the play therapy association's annual conference in October. She also received a $1,500 check to assist with conference attendance costs, and her professional membership was extended by a year.

Hindman currently serves the 7,500-member association as part of its ethics and research committees. She's also a member-at-large on the Arkansas Association of Play Therapy board. She regularly presents play therapy research. She recently presented "Let's Play Together: Play Therapy and Why It Matters" at St. Bonaventure University's Science on Tap, which is open to the community.

Hindman was a co-presenter for a virtual poster session at the 2022 American Counseling Association Conference. The "Developing counseling identity, leadership skills, and cultural humility through play therapy advocacy in course work" session was sponsored by Chi Sigma Iota, the international and professional academic honor society for counseling students, counselor educators and professional counselors.

In July, she'll participate in a pre-recorded "Neuro-Informed Approach to Empower Students and Reduce Tension" presentation for the 2022 Positive Youth Development Summer Sessions. Her most recent research focuses on play therapy groups.