Dr. David Crenshaw and Dr. Lisa Shadburn

Let Me Introduce You to Dr. David Crenshaw

David A. Crenshaw, PhD, ABPP, RPT-S, is a Board Certified Clinical Psychologist and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor whose lifelong dedication to children’s mental health has shaped the field of play therapy around the world. Recently retired from his role as Chief of Clinical Services at the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie, Dr. Crenshaw spent decades serving children and families with exceptional compassion, wisdom, and clinical excellence.

A Fellow of the American Psychological Association and APA Division of Child and Adolescent Psychology, Dr. Crenshaw has also been a respected educator, teaching play therapy courses at institutions including Johns Hopkins University and Columbia University. He is a past President of the New York Association for Play Therapy and has mentored generations of therapists through his teaching, supervision, writing, and leadership.

Dr. Crenshaw is the author, co-author, editor, or co-editor of 24 influential books, several of which have been translated into seven languages. His work has significantly advanced the understanding of child psychotherapy, trauma, grief, attachment, and play therapy interventions. In recognition of his extraordinary impact, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association for Play Therapy in 2021.

Though recently retired, Dr. Crenshaw’s legacy continues to inspire therapists around the globe who are committed to helping children heal, grow, and thrive.

To Learn More from Dr. Crenshaw

Here are a few ways Dr. Crenshaw shares his work:

• Author, co-author, editor, or co-editor of 24 books in child psychotherapy and play therapy

• Former educator at Johns Hopkins University and Columbia University teaching play therapy courses

• Past President of the New York Association for Play Therapy

• Recipient of the 2021 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association for Play Therapy

• Internationally respected speaker, mentor, and leader in child and adolescent mental health

Books by Dr. David A. Crenshaw

• Play Therapy: A Comprehensive Guide to Theory and Practice
Co-edited with Anne L. Stewart, this foundational text offers a wide-ranging look at play therapy theories and techniques.

• Creative Arts and Play Therapy for Attachment Problems
Co-edited with Cathy A. Malchiodi, this book integrates creative arts into attachment-focused therapy.

• Termination Challenges in Child Psychotherapy
Co-authored with Eliana Gil, this book explores the complexities of ending therapy with children.

• Evocative Strategies in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
Presents over 150 practical strategies for engaging challenging children and adolescents in therapy.

• Bereavement: Counseling the Grieving Throughout the Life Cycle
Provides guidance on supporting individuals through grief across the lifespan.

• Reflections, Insights & Hope for the Child Therapist
A meaningful collection of reflections and encouragement for child therapists.

• Engaging Resistant Children in Therapy: Projective Drawing and Storytelling Techniques
Offers creative interventions for engaging resistant children in the therapeutic process.

Connect with Dr. Crenshaw

Association for Play Therapy: Lifetime Achievement Honoree

Author & International Speaker in Child and Play Therapy

Books Available Through Major Booksellers and Professional Publishers

Let Me Introduce You to Dr. Lisa

Lisa Shadburn, Psy.D., RPT-S, is a licensed psychologist and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor with over two decades of experience supporting children, families, and clinicians. She has served as a program director, supervisor, and play therapy practitioner across community mental health, school-based settings, and private practice. A past President of the California branch of the Association for Play Therapy, Dr. Lisa is also a seasoned educator who has taught at the University of California, San Diego, Alliant International University/CSPP, and Phillips Graduate Institute.

In addition to her clinical and teaching work, Dr. Lisa has led trainings in play therapy and child interventions for over twenty years. She is the author of the therapeutic children’s book I’ve Got This: A Child’s Guide to Lifting Yourself Up When You’re Feeling Down, which helps children learn self-encouragement to manage stress and worry. Her work reflects both clinical depth and a heartfelt commitment to children’s emotional growth.

To Learn More from Dr. Lisa

Here are a few ways Dr. Lisa shares her work

• Offers workshops and trainings in play therapy and child mental health
• Teaches therapists through university programs and professional development courses
• Author of I’ve Got This, a therapeutic book for children on emotional resilience
• Provides supervision and leadership within the play therapy community

Connect with Dr. Lisa

Facebook: Dr. Lisa Shadburn Play Therapy
Book: I’ve Got This: A Child’s Guide to Lifting Yourself Up When You’re Feeling Down