OXFORD,
Miss. – A University of Mississippi professor in the School of
Education has been elected to a three-year term on the national board
of directors of the Association for Play Therapy.
Marilyn Snow,
associate professor of leadership and counselor education, was chosen
by the membership of the international professional society, which
comprises nearly 6,000 psychologists, social workers, counselors and
family therapists. Snow said it’s important for professionals in the
field to adhere to the APT’s mission of working to help suffering
children.
“This post provides an opportunity to work with
clinicians across the globe,” said Snow, who joined the faculty in
2000. “I look forward to helping have a direct impact into the future
direction of the play therapy field.”
Play therapy is a
therapeutic technique used to help children cope with emotional stress
or trauma by providing a way for them to express their experiences and
feelings through a natural, self-guided, self-healing process.
Over the past seven years, Snow has seen 16 UM graduates become registered play therapists. Among them is Erin Dugan, who remembers her former professor’s tireless effort to provide service, education and training to both those in need and the young professionals entering the play therapy field.
“Dr. Snow’s expertise in relation to play therapy is quite notable,” Dugan said. “She’s volunteered to provide free services to underprivileged families, and her research expertise is invaluable. I’m thankful for the opportunity to have learned from one of the most educated and self-motivated mentors in the field.”
A licensed professional counselor and registered play therapist-supervisor, Snow said she also looks forward to her continued supervision over services offered throughout the Lafayette County school system.
“Dr. Snow is committed to her field, both in the classroom and the real world,” said Tom Burnham, UM education dean. “She’s to be commended for her efforts, and we applaud her.”
Snow also serves on APT’s editorial board for its peer-reviewed International Journal of Play Therapy. Her past service includes chairing the APT ethics committee, and she is a past president of the Mississippi Association for Play Therapy.
For additional information on UM’s play therapy professional development seminars, visit http://www.outreach.olemiss.edu/profdev/counselors. To learn more about the School of Education, visit http://www.olemiss.edu/depts/educ?school2/ .