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My Story

As an elementary school counselor I learned that the best way to relate to children is through play.  In 1998, I attended an introductory class taught by Dr. Garry Landreth and this was the launch of my play therapy career.  Through play therapy I could see children heal from grief, divorce, sexual abuse, and many traumatic experiences.  My theoretical orientation is primarily Child Centered, but I do follow a prescriptive play therapy approach.  For almost 20 years I've walked beside countless graduate and post-graduate students in their journey as a school counselor or therapist.  If you desire a play therapy supervisor with experience in the school or a private practice setting, I would like to connect with you.  

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My Mission

I want to see the renewal of family life through play therapy. Families and children come in all colors, shapes and sizes. Play therapy can allow caregivers to see their children in new ways, and help the adults see life in a new way. When both caregivers and children heal, there will be a stronger family unit. Play therapy is an effective therapeutic modality for children, as well as adults, couples, and adolescents. Strong supervision of emerging play therapists is the key to the client/therapist relationship and the relationship between individuals in the family unit. Supervision is important for teaching skills and walking through the "muck and mire" of therapy.  

Experience

Professional
Organizations

Counseling &
Supervision Experience

  • Association for Play Therapy (APT) Board of Directors, Chair 2011, current member

  • Kansas School Counseling Association (KSCA) Board of Directors, President 2015

  • Kansas Association for Play Therapy (KSAPT) Founding Board of Directors, President 2005, current member

  • American Counseling  Association, member

  • American Psychological Association, member

  • Christian Association for Psychological Studies, member

  • MidAmerica Nazarene University, School Counselor Coordinator, Play Therapy Certificate Program Founder & Coordinator, Professor Emeritus 2019

  • Private Practice & Elementary School Counselor

  • Filial Therapy Instructor & Supervisor

  • Board Approved Supervisor for Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board

  • PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision - Regent University, 2013

  • International online play therapy training - Turkey, Hong Kong and Kenya

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Honors​​

HONORS​

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Kansas Counselor Hall of Fame, Kansas Counseling Association, March, 2014

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Rick Gaskill Luminary Award, Kansas Association of Play Therapy, March, 2019

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Hall of Fame, Kansas School Counseling Association, May, 2019

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Professor Emeritus, MidAmerica Nazarene University, May, 2019

Publications

  • Fry, M. L. (2024). Who's in charge manual: A child-centered play therapy small group model. Pages by the Lake, LLC.

  • Fry, M. L., Maclin, V., Newmeyer, M., & Baggerly, J. Effectiveness of Child-Centered and Psychoeducational Groups on Disruptive Behavior.  International Journal of Play Therapy, June 22, 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/pla0000124

  • Fry, M. L.  Program Insights:  Association for Play Therapy Leadership Academy.  Association for Play Therapy magazine. 8(3), September, 2013.

  • Davis, P. S. & Fry, M. L. Who’s in Charge Today?  Implementing Child-Centered Play Therapy Groups in School Settings. Association for Play Therapy magazine, June, 2010.

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