A bright mural of encouraging words now greets passersby along Main Street in Beggs – a colorful invitation to a new kind of space where imagination, healing and family connection come together. Inside, laughter echoes through sunlit rooms filled with art supplies, miniature figures and interactive games – each carefully chosen to spark conversation, expression and growth.
This is Playful Pathways Consulting, the newest child- and family-focused resource in Okmulgee County. Founded by Kelli Baker, a School-Based Registered Play Therapist (SBRPT), Certified AUTPlay Provider and certified school counselor, the center is already drawing attention for its unique, research-based approach to helping children and families navigate emotional, behavioral and social challenges.
Baker describes her mission with simple clarity: “The goal here is to create a way through play,” she said. “Play is a child’s natural language. It’s how they communicate, process experiences and find healing.”
— A Space Designed with Purpose Located at 102 Main Street in Beggs, Playful Pathways Consulting occupies a once-vacant county-owned building that has been completely revitalized. Where peeling paint and vandalism once marred the walls, vibrant colors now fill the space. A whimsical outdoor mural – painted by Beggs High School art teacher at Baker’s request – captures the spirit of the business: playful yet purposeful, bright yet grounded in care.
“People drive by now and smile,” Baker said. “That was the whole point – to bring life back into the building, to give it purpose again.”
Every inch of the facility reflects that philosophy. Inside, visitors are welcomed by warm lighting, colorful furniture and themed rooms tailored to different forms of play-based learning and therapy.
“This is a full-blown play therapy playroom,” Baker explained during a tour. “Everything in this room has a purpose. It may look like a collection of toys, but in the world of play therapy, every toy represents something. Kids find meaning through imaginative play, whether that’s through heroes and villains, kitchen sets or dolls. They tell their stories through what they create.”
In one corner, shelves hold miniature figurines – people, animals, buildings and symbols – used for sand tray therapy, a key component of play therapy. Nearby, a spacious sand tray room allows children to “build worlds” in miniature, expressing thoughts and emotions that words alone might not capture.
“Children use the sand tray to show how they perceive themselves and others,” Baker said. “Sometimes they’ll place a figure in a wheelchair and say, ‘That’s my best friend,’ or they’ll create a scene that reflects how they feel about home or school. It’s a powerful tool for understanding what’s happening inside a child’s mind.” — Movement, Imagination & Technology
Playful Pathways isn’t just about quiet reflection – it’s also about motion, energy, and engagement. One of Baker’s proudest additions is a holographic motion-based gaming system, an innovative tool that combines physical movement with sensory engagement.
She demonstrated how it works: “Kids can see their own body movements projected onto the screen. It’s especially helpful for children with sensory disorders or fine motor challenges who might struggle with traditional controllers or equipment,” Baker explained. “Even nonverbal children can participate – they can move, interact, and see themselves in action. It helps build confidence, coordination and engagement.”
The system, she said, was inspired by her research into advanced play therapy facilities in California and on the East Coast.
“When I saw what was possible elsewhere, I thought, there’s no reason we can’t do this for our kids in Oklahoma,” Baker said. “So when I had the chance to build my own space, I made sure to include it.”
— From Vision to Reality
Before opening Playful Pathways, Baker spent years building a career devoted to child advocacy and education. She earned her undergraduate degree from Northeastern Oklahoma State University and her Master of Education in School Counseling from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.
Her professional background includes roles as a classroom teacher, mental health case manager, juvenile probation counselor, and school counselor – experiences that helped her recognize the deep need for accessible therapeutic play environments in rural communities.
“As a school counselor, I was already using many play therapy techniques without realizing it,” Baker said. “When I began formal training and learned how structured and effective play therapy can be, I realized there was so much more potential – and that’s when I knew I wanted to create a place like this.”
Baker’s expertise has also made her a respected voice at both state and national conferences. She has presented at the Oklahoma State School Boards Association (OSSBA), Counselors Only Conference, PATH, CCOSA, OAHPERD and nationally at SHAPE America and the American School Counseling Association (ASCA). Her presentations often focus on Therapy Dogs Within Schools and Students Leading Healthy Lives.
In 2024, she was selected to attend the National Leaders Summit for America’s Healthiest Schools, a recognition of her leadership in student well-being initiatives.
— A County Partnership with Heart The transformation of the Main Street building into Playful Pathways was made possible in part through community collaboration and county support. Baker credited Okmulgee County Commissioner Ernie Ferreira for helping her bring the vision to life.
“Ernie backed me 110 percent,” Baker said. “He saw what I wanted to do and believed it could make a difference for our community. This building was sitting empty, and now it’s something with purpose – not just for Beggs, but for all of Okmulgee County.”
Baker leases the space from the county and has poured months of effort into renovation and design. What was once an unused structure now serves as a center of creativity and support for children and families across the region.
“When we first painted it white, people started noticing it,” she recalled. “Just cleaning it up made a difference. Now it’s bright, inviting and full of energy.”
— Comprehensive Services for Families
Playful Pathways Consulting offers a range of specialized services designed to meet diverse family needs – from therapeutic play sessions to supervised visitation for court-ordered family situations.
— Play Therapy
The foundation of the center is registered play therapy, where children use toys, art and imagination to communicate. Baker tailors each session to the child’s needs, using evidence-based techniques that help children build self-esteem, manage emotions and develop problem-solving skills.
“Children don’t always have the words to explain what they feel,” Baker said. “Through play, they can show us. Whether it’s through drawing, acting out stories, or creating scenes in the sand, it gives them a voice.”
Each play session takes place in a purposefully arranged environment where every toy – from doctor kits to superhero figures – supports therapeutic goals such as trust-building, coping and self-expression.
— AUTPlay Therapy
As a Certified AUTPlay Provider, Baker also specializes in helping neurodivergent children, including those on the autism spectrum. AutPlay Therapy uses structured play to address emotional regulation, social interaction and sensory needs.
Services include:
• Tailored interventions for neurodivergent children • Improved social interaction and communication
• Reduced anxiety through structured, sensory-friendly play
• Enhanced creativity and self-confidence “AutPlay is about meeting children where they are,” Baker explained. “It’s not about changing who they are – it’s about helping them build on their strengths through play.”
— Social Skills Small Groups
In addition to one-on-one therapy, Playful Pathways offers social skills small groups for children aged roughly 4-12. These sessions focus on cooperation, communication and empathy through guided activities.
The groups are intentionally small – four to eight children per session – allowing for personalized attention and relationship-building.
Group benefits include:
• 45-minute weekly sessions
• Interactive role-playing and peer learning
• Sensory-support tools children can take home
• Guidance from a certified school counselor and play therapist “These sessions are one of my favorite things,” Baker said. “They help kids practice real-world skills – how to take turns, how to express their feelings, how to be a good friend – all in a safe, encouraging setting.”
— Supervised Visitation
Perhaps one of the most needed services in the county, Baker added professional supervised visitation to Playful Pathways after speaking with local judges about the lack of available options for families in Okmulgee County.
“We don’t have supervised visitation readily available here,” she said. “That affects our family court system. Right now, families have to compete with Tulsa for time slots, travel long distances and meet in public places like restaurants. It’s hard for them and for their children.”
Playful Pathways provides a safe, private and child-friendly environment where supervised visits can occur in a supportive setting equipped with games, toys, and creative materials.
Services include:
• Court-ordered and voluntary visitation options
• Trauma-informed, child-centered approach
• Comprehensive court reports for legal proceedings • Flexible scheduling (including evenings and weekends) Baker noted that visits are structured to help families reconnect in a meaningful way.
“It’s about helping families build new, positive memories,” she said. “Even in difficult circumstances, parents and children can rediscover connection through play.”
Rates for visitation begin at $60 per hour, with initial consultations including intake and a 30-minute visitation for $100. Comprehensive court reports are available for $150.
— Art, Healing & Expression
In another section of the building, Baker designed a dedicated art and sensory space for children who express themselves best through creativity.
“Especially for older kids, art becomes a way to communicate,” she said. “They can draw, paint or build – and through that process, you start to see how they view themselves and their world.”
The art room is filled with paints, markers, clay and craft supplies. It’s a place where structured therapy meets free expression – a space to be seen and heard without judgment.
— Bringing Hope & Innovation to Rural Oklahoma Beyond the services, Playful Pathways represents something bigger for the community – a belief that rural Oklahoma deserves the same access to quality therapeutic resources as larger cities.
“For years, I was on the borderline of frustration,” Baker admitted. “I’d see all these amazing programs and facilities in urban areas and think, ‘Why can’t we have that here for our kids?’ So eventually, I decided, fine – I’ll make it myself.”
Her initiative is already inspiring others. The facility has drawn interest from other play therapists and licensed professionals who want to utilize the space for future workshops or collaborative programs.
“My former play therapy supervisor is a training facilitator, and our goal is to host other professionals here too,” Baker said. “This can be a place for both families and therapists to learn, share and grow.”
— A Bright Future for Beggs & Beyond
From its cheerful mural to the innovative technology inside, Playful Pathways Consulting is a testament to what happens when compassion meets creativity. It’s a space where healing is hands-on, where therapy feels more like discovery, and where families find not only support but hope.
“My passion has always been supporting children and families,” Baker said. “I hope that every family who walks through these doors leaves feeling more connected – that they’ve built memories together while learning valuable skills.”
As she looked around the freshly painted rooms – now full of light, laughter and purpose – Baker smiled.
“It’s just the beginning,” she said. “But already, you can feel it. This is something good for Beggs, something that will ripple out far beyond this building.”
Playful Pathways Consulting is located at 102 Main Street in Beggs, and can be contacted at 918267-PLAY (7529) or playfulpathwaysconsulting@gmail.com. Visit Playful Pathways Consulting on Facebook or email for appointment information.
