MidAmerica Nazarene University marked the 20th anniversary of its Play Therapy Certificate program on May 10, 2025. The program has educated mental health professionals worldwide. From its inception in 2004 by Mary Roy, LCPC, and Dr. Mary Fry, professor emeritus, the program has grown into one of the most respected university-approved Play Therapy Approved Provider (APT) certificate programs. This extraordinary achievement has transformed both professionals and the communities they serve.
Play therapy, as defined by the Association for Play Therapy, uses the therapeutic benefits of play to help children express and process their emotions in a safe and supportive environment. “For children under 10, play is their language,” Dr. Fry explains. “A therapist needs to be able to speak the language of the child walking in the room. The toys and other objects in the room can be used to help them get through their pain and emotions.” Her passion and dedication to this field laid the foundation for MNU’s program, ensuring that future therapists would be equipped with the knowledge and compassion to walk alongside their young clients.
“It’s hard to comprehend the number of children who have been helped as a result of these 20 years of training play therapy students,” said Dr. Todd Frye, associate dean of the School of Counselor Education. “The multiplication of each student working with a multitude of children makes the impact beyond what we could have ever imagined.”
Dr. Mary Fry’s own journey from elementary school counselor to university professor embodies her belief in advocacy and education. Recognizing the gap in training for mental health professionals, particularly in understanding children’s nonverbal cues, she established the Play Therapy Certificate program at MNU. The program has educated hundreds of professionals in the art and science of play therapy.
Dr. Mary Fry, professor emeritus, receives the first Excellence in Play Therapy award at the 20th anniversary celebration of the certificate program she founded. Also pictured: Dr. Todd Frye, associate dean (left) and Dr. Jon North, senior vice president for university advancement and president-elect.
At the 20th anniversary celebration, Dr. Todd Frye paid tribute to Dr. Mary Fry’s enduring impact by presenting her with the Mary Fry Excellence in Play Therapy Award. His words captured the essence of her contribution: “Mary didn’t just teach or counsel—she advocated, he said. ‘She lived with the deep conviction that every child is worthy of safety, of healing, and of being heard. Many of you have carried that message into your own counseling rooms because she planted it in you.”
Dr. Mary Fry’s far-reaching influence extends from leading the Kansas Association for Play Therapy and chairing the national APT board to training professionals internationally in Kenya, Hong Kong, and Turkey. Yet, even with that global reach, her mission remained constant: to advocate for children and to prepare others to do the same. “She founded and led our Play Therapy Certificate Program—not just building curriculum, but building a culture,” Dr. Todd Frye said. “A culture where children are seen through the lens of dignity, and where therapy is more than a clinical intervention—it’s a sacred trust.”
Even in retirement, Dr. Mary Fry continues to contribute to the play therapy field, having established a scholarship at MNU to support future students. Her influence remains evident through the many counselors she trained and the children they support.
MNU’s Post Graduate Play Therapy Certificate meets on-site or online and can be completed in three semesters. Learn more at mnu.edu/pgs/postgraduate-play-therapy-certificate.
