University of Arkansas Professor Kristi Perryman Receives Counselor Educator Advocate Award

Kristie Perryman, associate professor of counselor education at the University of Arkansas, has received the Counselor Educator Advocate Award from the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling. The award is presented to a counselor educator who has demonstrated excellence in advocacy, outreach, and mentorship within the field.

Dr. Perryman joined the University of Arkansas community in 2014 as an assistant professor in the department of rehabilitation, human resources, and communication disorders. In addition to her teaching appointment, she serves as the founder and director of the Office of Play Therapy Research and Training, a space for mental health professionals to use play therapeutically to help their clients manage their behavior and mental health challenges.

Earlier in her career, Dr. Perryman held teaching positions with Missouri State University and Southwest Missouri State University. She has over two decades of combined experience in education, school counseling, professional counseling, and play therapy.

Dr. Perryman received her bachelor’s degree in special education and a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Southwest Missouri State University. She holds a Ph.D. in counselor education from the University of Arkansas.