Welcome to the P.L.A.Y. Lab!

Lab's Mission

UNT P.L.A.Y. (Play Leaders Advocating for Youth) Research Lab’s mission is to develop mutually beneficial community partnerships and secure grant funding to serve children and the local community through quality research, service-learning activities, and evidence-based training opportunities.

Director

Dalena Dillman Taylor, PhD, LMHC, RPT-S, CAdPT-A

Dr. Dalena Dillman Taylor is a Professor at the University of North Texas. Her primary research interests include: advancement of Adlerian Play Therapy field towards evidence-based practice; counseling and educational services for high-need children and families; and counselor development and supervision. Dr. Dillman Taylor has been active in the areas of research, teaching, and service. Dr. Dillman Taylor has over 60 scholarly works in refereed and/or peer-reviewed dissemination outlets. Dr. Dillman Taylor has been successful in securing external funding, totaling over $17.1 million in the last ten years. She is a certified Adlerian play therapist, supervisor, and trainer; a certified child-centered play therapist supervisor; and a certified child-parent relationship therapist supervisor. 

Co-Director

Dr. Caitlin Frawley, PhD, LMHC, C-CCPT

Dr. Caitlin Frawley is an Assistant Professor of Counseling at the University of North Texas and Co- Director of the UNT PLAY Lab. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Certified Child-Centered Play Therapist with experience providing play therapy, counseling, and supervision across private practice, community-based, and educational settings. 

Dr. Frawley’s research centers on child-centered play therapy, counseling with children exposed to complex trauma, attachment-focused interventions for children and caregivers, and counselor development. 

Assistant Director

Sloane Sivek, M.S., NCC, LPC-Associate 

Sloane Sivek is a third-year doctoral student in the Counselor Education & Supervision program at the University of North Texas, specializing in play therapy and school counseling. Her research centers on Adlerian Play Therapy, Title I schools, and the integration of biometrics like heart rate variability (HRV) in counseling. As Assistant Director of the P.L.A.Y. Lab, Sivek continues to expand play therapy research across the DFW area through school-based initiatives, family play therapy projects, and local community partnerships.