Kristi Perryman, an associate professor of counselor education, recently received a Counselor Educator Advocate Award, an honor made even more special because students nominated her.

The award from the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling was presented to Perryman at the American Counseling Association Conference in New Orleans in the spring. It honors counselor educators who exemplify advocacy and outreach, are leaders for change and have a history of mentoring.

"It's such an honor to have students and former students nominate me for this award," Perryman said. "I feel privileged to be guests on their journey and to be able to now call many former students colleagues as they are out benefitting the field in such significant ways."

Perryman is the director and founder of the Office of Play Therapy Research and Training in the College of Education and Health Professions. Licensed mental health professionals use play therapeutically to help their clients, especially children, to describe and manage their behaviors and mental health problems.

"I nominated Kristi for the award because she was such a huge mentor in my career and for many of my friends. She has truly shaped the counselor education field, specifically with play therapy," said T.J. Schoonover, one of Perryman's former doctoral students. He successfully defended his dissertation in June 2021 and is now an assistant professor in the Counseling Department at Northern Illinois University.

Schoonover said even though he's no longer at the U of A, Perryman routinely sends him and former classmates opportunities for research, leadership and connection with others in the field. "She sent a group text this week to me and other students who have graduated in the last five years about an opportunity at the Association for Play Therapy conference in the fall," he said. "Her mentorship did not end when I graduated. If I am having an issue or unsure of what to do, Kristi is the first person I call."

Schoonover said Perryman greatly influenced the counselor educator he is today. "She knows how important our training is and that we are preparing students to go out and help people with extremely serious issues," he said. "She mentored me to ensure that I care deeply for our students, future clients and the counseling field. She has left her mark on the counselor education field throughout the country."

Hailey Thomas, a doctoral student who successfully defended her dissertation in late May, nominated Perryman based on her commitment to advocating for the play therapy field and the counseling profession. She also lauded Perryman for her "remarkable ability to create meaningful connections with her students and foster an environment of learning, growth, support and advocacy."

Thomas witnessed first-hand Perryman's dedication to her students' success. "She goes above and beyond to support them in navigating academic challenges, getting involved in research and offering guidance on personal and professional development," she said. "Her encouragement for students to serve on local and national boards, attend and present at conferences, and her support for their research endeavors, including chairing three dissertations that have received national research awards, is truly commendable."

Thomas said Perryman promotes diversity in the mental health profession and offers funding for minority students to attend the Association for Play Therapy conference each year.

"I have had the privilege of being under Dr. Perryman's guidance, which has influenced my personal and professional identity," Thomas said. "As a doctoral student, I felt empowered and supported to become involved in professional communities such as the Arkansas Association for Play Therapy, where I currently serve on the executive board."

With Perryman's encouragement, Thomas applied for and graduated from the Association for Play Therapy's Leadership Academy in 2022. She supported Thomas in presenting at nationally recognized conferences such as the Association for Creativity in Counseling, the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association and the American Counseling Association. She also guided Thomas in working toward a registered play therapist credential.

"Her guidance, patience, clinical experience and knowledge throughout my professional journey have been invaluable. She has significantly shaped my professional career and catalyzed my interest in working with children and adolescents, and I am forever grateful," Thomas said.

Perryman has more than 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 practitioner and counselor educator.

She also has published chapters in School Based Play Therapy and The Handbook of Play Therapy, as well as numerous articles in the International Journal of Play Therapy, and conducts training on play therapy, sand tray therapy, expressive arts therapy and supervision.

The U of A Office of Play Therapy Research and Training offers graduate-level coursework to students enrolled in the Counselor Education and Supervision Program, enabling them to become registered play therapists. Students have the opportunity to learn in a state-of-the-art playroom and conduct research in the field of play therapy as they work with children in schools and community agencies. The office also hosts an annual conference with nationally recognized speakers for students and mental health professionals in Arkansas and surrounding states.