I’m delighted to let you know that I am now an APT Registered Play Therapist™!
I took my first Play Therapy course, Family Play Therapy, prior to the pandemic to supplement my knowledge for a graduate-level Couples and Family Counseling course that I was teaching. I loved it! I was in the beautiful Heartland Play Therapy training space with their great teachers and fun environment.
So, when the pandemic rolled around, I thought: what a great thing to do for my mental health and for my clients during those long challenging months. Plus, as my specialization with couples has grown, I have met with more and more parents of small children who are seeking consultations.
Even though the first Play Therapy class that I took was in person, the bulk of them were on-line from my home during the pandemic. Sometimes I sat out on my porch at a card table in the sunlight, but often I was in my library surrounded by the cool activities and creative items Heartland shipped to my home.
I took courses in theory, technique, and special topics like grief and trauma. At the same time, I acquired extensive supervised experience (350 hours) which I mostly completed through the generous collaboration of The Ballard Center in Lawrence, Kansas. I had just an amazing time working with some wonderful 2 to 5-year-olds. I’m especially grateful to my supervisor from Heartland, Carmy Goodwin; She guided me through the entire process with great expertise and skill. I highly recommend Heartland for training and workshops along with their therapy arm: Creative Connections. I’ve integrated the play and creative strategies that I learned there with many of my adult and younger clients. Click here to learn more.
A Gottman Certified Couples Therapist, I also meet with a wide range of individual clients.
I frequently use Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and EMDR, as well. I love being a psychologist and I’m so fortunate to work with such amazing clients (ages 4 to 70+) with whom it is an honor to collaborate.
Best wishes as you head into the fall seaso