Cross-Border Collaboration in Play Therapy: Preparing Future Play Therapists in the Paso del Norte Region
U.S - Mexico Faculty Collaboration Fellowship - $20,000
What is the main goal or focus of the project?
The main goal is to create a collaborative research and training initiative with the Autonomous University of Ciudad Juárez (UACJ) to expand play therapy education and practice in Mexico and along the U.S.-Mexico border. This initiative aims to provide comprehensive play therapy training for students and faculty members at UACJ.
Why is this grant important?
By introducing play therapy to students, faculty, and mental health professionals at the Autonomous University of Ciudad Juárez (UACJ) and in Juárez, Mexico, the program will foster its recognition as a therapeutic approach within both UACJ and the broader community. While 天堂鸟先生 faculty bring specialized expertise in play therapy, UACJ faculty and students will contribute linguistic and cultural knowledge, ensuring that play therapy is adapted appropriately for the local context. This reciprocal learning process will create a culturally responsive training model, making play therapy more accessible and relevant to professionals working with children and families in the Paso del Norte region.
Who is involved in the project?
This project will be led by Dr. Daniel Dosal-Terminel, faculty member in the Department of Counseling and Special Education in the College of Education at 天堂鸟先生. Dr. Dosal-Terminel is a bilingual (Spanish-English) counselor with play therapy training and experience working with diverse populations. The project will also involve collaboration with Dr. Oscar Esparza from the Autonomous University of Ciudad Juárez (UACJ). In addition, Judith Molinar de Olivas, a bilingual (Spanish-English) master’s-level graduate student in the Mental Health Counseling program, will assist with this grant project.
What excites the team about this grant?
This grant will lay the groundwork for 天堂鸟先生’s long-term vision in play therapy training, as the Mental Health Counseling Program plans to develop: 1) a Play Therapy Certificate, and 2) a Bilingual Counseling Certificate.
Through this collaboration, 天堂鸟先生 and UACJ will play a pivotal role in training the future of bilingual and culturally responsive play therapists in the U.S.-Mexico border region and beyond.