The Art Cleveland Play Therapy Endowment: Perpetuating a Legacy of Caring for Children
Art Cleveland, MSW, LCSW, LMFT, and RPT-S, devoted his professional life to the care and keeping of children. Play therapy was the cornerstone of his clinical practice. For more than 30 years, he has worked with children and families using this unique therapeutic approach.
Reminding others frequently that “play is the work of children,” Art advocated for free play as essential to the healthy growth of children and play therapy as a tool to lead children to mental health. The FSU College of Social Work commended Art’s impact on his community by presenting him with the Distinguished Social Work Practice Alumni Award in 2015. The award is given to alumni with high ethical standards in social work that have made innovations and improvements benefiting community members, clients, and the social work community.
During his professional tenure, Art was a Registered Play Therapist (RPT), a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S), and a member of the Board of Directors for the Association for Play Therapy (APT). APT defines play therapy as “a way of being with the child that honors their unique developmental level and looks for ways of helping in the “language” of the child – play. Licensed mental health professionals therapeutically use play to help their clients, most often children ages three to 12 years, to better express themselves and resolve their problems.”
Faced with recent health issues, Art was forced to give up his practice. But, this hasn’t stopped his family’s interest to perpetuate his impact on the social work community and future clinicians. The Art Cleveland Play Therapy Endowment (F08557) at Florida State University College of Social Work, will provide funding for two graduate students to attend the annual Association for Play Therapy conference. The Endowment will also provide qualified MSW and PhD students funding for expenses associated with the pursuit of the RPT or RPT-S credentials. “This endowment is a wonderful way to memorialize Art’s work and contributions to the field of play therapy,” said Kathryn Lebby, CEO of the Association for Play Therapy. “APT is deeply touched and honored to support this endowment and so appreciative of the Cleveland family for designating the APT conference and credential in this special way.” Click here to make a gift to the Endowment in honor of Art and providing student support.
Why Play in Therapy?
Play therapy is a structured, theoretically based approach to therapy that builds on the normal communicative and learning processes of children (Carmichael, 2006; Landreth, 2002; O'Connor & Schaefer, 1983). The curative powers inherent in play are used in many ways. Therapists strategically utilize play therapy to help children express what is troubling them when they do not have the verbal language to express their thoughts and feelings (Gil, 1991). In play therapy, toys are like the child's words and play is the child's language (Landreth, 2002). Through play, therapists may help children learn more adaptive behaviors when there are emotional or social skills deficits (Pedro-Carroll & Reddy, 2005). The positive relationship that develops between therapist and child during play therapy sessions can provide a corrective emotional experience necessary for healing (Moustakas, 1997). Play therapy may also be used to promote cognitive development and provide insight about and resolution of inner conflicts or dysfunctional thinking in the child (O'Connor & Schaefer, 1983; Reddy, Files-Hall, & Schaefer, 2005).
Art’s office space located in midtown Tallahassee is also currently available. The office space is in a house shared by three other professional offices rented by therapists and includes a reception area, kitchen, and ample parking. The single office available includes a private bathroom and two closets. Rent and utilities total $620 per month. Contact Peggy Wright-Cleveland at mwrightc@icloud.com for more information.