TERRE HAUTE — Three Wabash Valley bands will be joining together for a benefit and to commemorate the life of Terre Haute native Sara McCool in an evening of music. McCool, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S, was a social worker and registered play therapist (supervisor) in Terre Haute. She was the founder of the Child Empowerment Center, a private practice that served children, adolescents, and their families. Her work focused on treating abused and neglected children and their caregivers. Local law enforcement and social workers knew McCool was the “go-to” person for the toughest cases involving abused children. She enjoyed working with other play therapists on the Board of Directors of the Indiana Association for Play Therapy, and was currently serving as president-elect at the time of her death at age 31.
Play therapy was the methodology she used to be able to understand what was troubling the children she worked with and was how she was able to interpret their deepest thoughts and feelings. She was such a believer in Play Therapy and it was her life’s passion.
McCool was a member of Alpha Delta Mu National Social Work Honor Society, and received Excellence in Scholarship, and the Becca Nimmer Marcus Award for outstanding MSW student in mental health. In June 2006, she became a licensed clinical social worker. Prior to her death, McCool was recognized as a registered play therapist supervisor. She was owner of Child Empowerment Center and one of her play therapy techniques was published. She was a former employee of Hamilton Center and Foster Care Plus, as well as a past president of Lifeline Board of Directors and president-elect for the Indiana Play Therapy Association. She had also worked at CODA and Indiana State University.
The concert will at T.K.’s Sports Grill & Pub, at 724 N. Fruitridge. The bands involved will be Black Cat, The HANIS Project and Digital Campfire, which features McCool’s brother, Los Angeles-based musician, Todd McCool. The concert will begin at 10 p.m. Feb. 12. Admission is $5 with all proceeds going to the Association for Play Therapy. For more information on the organization, visit www.a4pt.com.
