Embedding Mental, Behavioral Health and Social Emotional Literacy Services into an After Care Program - Play Therapy: Development, Learning, and Therapy

Oct 15, 2026

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Play Therapy: Development, Learning, and Therapy examines how emotional literacy supports children’s wellbeing through arts-based expression and empathic connection. The paper frames emotional literacy as the ability to interpret both personal and others’ emotional well-being, linking attentive listening and empathy to emotional language and compassionate understanding. It outlines frameworks from individual to community levels for discovering emotional balance while considering integration of mental, behavioral health, and social-emotional literacy services within an after-care program context.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages13

Reading Time33 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Emotional Literacy and Why It is Important

Play Therapy: Development, Learning, and Therapy

Embedding After-Care Mental and Social-Emotional Services

International Journal of the Whole Child 2025, VOL. 10, NO. 2 Play Therapy: Development, Learning, and Therapy Embedding Mental, Behavioral Health and Social Emotional Literacy Services into an After Care Program Jacob Womacka, Jennifer Beardenb, Susan Elswickc, Corey Lattad, Marissa Graye, Jerry Watsonf, Gregory Washingtong, Bridgette Okunmokunh a-hUniversity of Memphis Jacob Womack is a graduate of the University of Memphis, School of Social Work, MSW program. Jennifer Bearden is a current DSW student at the University of Memphis, School of Social Work. She is also an LCSW and runs a local private practice in the Mid-South region. Dr. Susan Elswick, LCSW, LSSW, IMH-E, RPT-S obtained her Master of Social Work at University of Tennessee in 2006 and her Doctor of Education in Instructional and Curriculum leadership with a specialty in Applied Behavior Analysis at the University of Memphis in 2011. She is currently a Full Professor and Interim Department Chair within the Social Work Department. Dr. Susan Elswick has over 18 years of clinical mental health experience that includes community mental health, case management, residential programming, ABA-based programming, school-based programming, parent coaching, integrated behavioral health, infant mental health, and home-based services. Her research interests include the use of evidence-based behavioral interventions for addressing clients’ needs, supporting schools in developing effective school-based mental health programs that are trauma-responsive, the use of expressive art therapies/ experiential therapies in the field of social work practice, and the use of informatics and technology in the field of social work. Dr. Elswick is an LCSW in AR, MS, and TN, and she is a licensed school social worker in TN. She is a nationally certified CBITS, TFCBT, AutPlay, and EMDR clinician. She is endorsed in Infant Mental Health in the state of TN, is Certified asan Animal Assisted Interventionist, and she is also a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S) . She is also a national trainer and supervisor for several evidence-based modalities and trauma-based interventions. Corey Latta, MA, PhD, LPC, holds graduate degrees in philosophy, literature, and counseling. He is an educator and private practice therapist. Corey specializes in the connections between experiential therapy, addiction recovery, and trauma processing. Corey leads trainings on narrative therapy and the therapeutic use of creative writing. Corey is the author of four books and numerous creative pieces. Dr. Marissa Gray is a board-certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner with a Doctorate in Nursing Practice from The University of Tennessee Health Science Center. She has extensive experience in pediatric, adult, and recovery mental health specializing in resilience, holistic wellness, and trauma-responsive psychiatric care with a focus on empowering selfefficacy, emotional regulation, and mindfulness-based stress reduction. Her interests lie at the intersection of advocacy, education, community networking, and program development. Her intention is to empower healthcare providers and leaders in interdisciplinary teamwork that promotes mental health, wellness, and resilience. Dr. Watson received his PhD in Urban Higher Education from Jackson State University in 2006, his MBA in Marketing and Management from Dominican University in 2003, his MSW in Management and Policy from the University of Illinois in 1997. Dr. Watson was and will always be remembered as a mentor and leader in the field of social work. He was an Assistant Professor of Social Work at the University of Memphis. Gregory Washington, LCSW, Ph.D. is Director of the Center for the Advancement and Youth Development (CAYD); and a Full Professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Memphis. Dr. Washington is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW that works as a community clinical practitioner and has practiced a

FAQs

What is emotional literacy according to the paper?

Emotional literacy is described as the ability to understand and interpret one’s own emotional well-being and the emotional well-being of those around us, supported by empathy and listening.

Why does the paper say emotional literacy is important?

It enables people to acknowledge their emotions, ask how others are doing while listening fully, and develop emotional language that supports compassion and understanding.

How does the paper connect emotional literacy with the arts?

It presents art as a medium for expressing emotions and describes how emotional literacy and arts-related expression together support children in finding emotional balance and understanding at individual and community levels.

Oct 15, 2026

Upload by Aria