Play therapy pioneer retires from internationally renowned UNT center

Many children around the world are happier and more secure because of a UNT professor who spent 30 years working hard at the business of play.

On July 8 at 4:45 p.m., a "Texas-size" reception and tribute will be held in the University Union to honor Garry Landreth, Regents Professor of counseling, development and higher education, for his pioneering work in the field of play therapy. Staff and faculty are invited to attend.

Landreth, founder of UNT's Center for Play Therapy, is retiring from his position as center director after almost 30 years of service. He plans to continue teaching at UNT.

The center, part of the College of Education, is  the largest play therapy training program in the world. Its mission is to encourage the development and emotional growth of children through play therapy — a psychological method of using play materials to allow safe expression for a child's feelings. Sue Bratton, assistant professor of counseling, development and higher education, replaces Landreth as center director.

Known internationally for his writings and work in promoting the development of play therapy, Landreth founded the center in 1975 as an outgrowth of his classes.

"If we want to talk to children about their emotions, we have to understand their play, because children can't really talk about their emotions in the same way adults do," Landreth says. "Play is their natural language and it is how they express their emotions."

Despite all the accolades he has received, Landreth prefers to put his focus on what truly matters to him — his students, children and their parents.

"Some of my fondest memories are of working with doctoral students in the center," Landreth says. "They have contributed so much to my life. I also enjoy watching the dramatic changes in children who have participated in play therapy. We have touched so many parents and children."

BY CATHY CASHIO ccashio@unt.edu

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