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Maggie Morganfield Parker, PhD, LPC, RPT-S, is an associate professor and chair of the Department of Counseling and Human Development, in the Graduate School of Education and Human Development at George Washington University. Parker, the co-founder of Play Therapy Space and co-host of Playful Beginnings Podcast, discusses her work using play therapy.

Why did you decide to become a counselor?

I was always interested in helping people but was not sure how that would take shape. In high school, I was very interested in psychology and people and knew I wanted to enter a helping profession. I worked at Habitat for Humanity out of college. I realized that I wanted direct interactions with people, so I pursued my master’s in counseling. After graduating, I didn’t feel ready to enter the field and wanted more training and supervision, so I got my doctorate.

Tell us about your professional background and your areas of specialty.

I received my master’s from Southern Methodist University and my doctorate from the University of North Texas. I have provided child-centered play therapy and mental health services at all levels of education, alternative schools, juvenile detention centers, outpatient mental health clinics, private practices, university training clinics and integrative behavioral health care clinics. My research focuses on supporting children’s mental health in school settings and through child-centered play therapy.

What do your licenses mean and who does it qualify you to provide counseling to?

I am a licensed professional counselor in Virginia, which means that I can provide mental health counseling within the state. I am also a registered play therapist and supervisor, which qualifies me to provide play therapy services to children. Furthermore, I am a certified child centered play therapist and certified child parent relationship therapist supervisor and trainer. I supervise and train others who are pursuing these certifications.

What is play therapy and how does it help your clients?

Play therapy — specifically child-centered play therapy — is counterculture. Instead of asking children to adapt to the needs of adults or teaching them how to be, play therapists adapt to meet the child’s needs by trusting their capacity. This level of trust means that play therapists will not tell the child what to do, nor teach them how to do it because they have the capacity within themselves. Through specially curated toys designed for emotional expression and exploration, play therapists seek to holistically understand the child on their terms, in their language and from their perspective. Play therapy allows children to engage in ways that are comfortable for them, with trust in their capacity, while fostering an authentic and genuine relationship.

Why did you decide to offer play therapy to your clients and how do you determine when to use it?

I began to use play therapy with my child clients because I saw the effectiveness. I worked in a lot of spaces that valued directive counseling approaches, and I remained true to my belief system in child-centered and person-centered theory. I saw how engaging in play, expressive arts, or talk therapy in alignment with theory allowed for client growth and well-being — even in juvenile detention centers and intensive outpatient programs.

To decide if I should see clients in the playroom, or an activity room or a talk therapy space, I take in information from caregivers and teachers and the client. I try to get to know the client holistically. Age is not the only determining factor to use play therapy.

What role do you think counseling plays in the delivery of mental health services in today’s society?

I think that counselors are a large part of the mental health landscape, though I do not think we get the recognition we deserve for the work that we do. We are trained extensively and engage in years of supervision to hone our craft and practice. I believe we are a huge part of the mental health landscape and offer support for individuals across the lifespan. I believe we have a lot to offer the health care system.

How can someone recognize when their child should see a counselor?

If a caregiver or teacher sees shifts in their relationships, emotional regulation, behaviors and engagement with the world around them that lasts more than a few weeks, I would seek out mental health support. If one area of life (school, home, sports, friendships) is impacted, it is worth checking out. It’s important to remember that behavior is communication, so above all else, I try and understand what their behaviors are telling me.

What gives you the most satisfaction in being a counselor and serving children and adolescents?

The most rewarding aspect of my job is being able to witness the magic of the relationship ­­— when you become a safe and trusted person for this child, who was so often let down by the adults who were supposed to protect them. The magic of those moments when you are connected on a human and organic level. I’ve seen the light come back into children’s eyes because they are being seen and valued. This is what continues to drive me in this career.  Regardless of whether a child has significant trauma or is just struggling, being present with them and know them is an honor.