The 1st Annual Innovative Child Therapy Symposium
JOIN US FOR THE 1ST ANNUAL INNOVATIVE CHILD THERAPY SYMPOSIUM!
Join thousands of child therapists, play therapists, school counselors, social workers, psychologists, and mental health professionals for a week of learning, connection, and inspiration.
Over five days, you'll learn practical strategies, creative interventions, and innovative approaches from leading experts in play therapy, EMDR, sandtray therapy, attachment, grief, nervous system regulation, and child mental health.
Whether you're looking for fresh ideas, deeper understanding, or renewed inspiration, you'll find sessions designed to support your work with children, adolescents, and families.
Types of Child Therapy
❤️ MONDAY
On Monday, we’ll explore a variety of child therapy approaches, including animal-assisted play therapy, play therapy, nature-based play therapy, adoption and foster care support, Synergetic Play Therapy, sandtray therapy, trauma-sensitive yoga, and EMDR.
Lucy Llewellyn
Animal Assisted Play Therapy®
Clair Mellenthin
Play Therapy
Jamie Langley
Nature Based Play Therapy
Sabra Starnes
Helping Adoptive and Foster Families with Play Therapy
Lisa Dion
Synergetic Play Therapy
Carmen Jimenez-Pride
Sandtray Therapy
Dr. Jennifer Lefebre
Helping Children Self-Regulate with Trauma Sensitive Yoga
Jackie Flynn
Becoming an EMDR Therapist and Beyond
For Therapist Extraordinaire Pass holders, today’s bonus materials are also available:
Sabra Starnes
Using Bibliotherapy in the Play Therapy Room
Lisa Dion
ImportantToyEbookFinal
2 tips for emotional flooding
Clair Mellenthin
Needs Edited Family Self Esteem Game with Clair
Jackie Flynn
Positive Strength Words to Create a Strength-Based Activity by Jackie Flynn, EdS, LMHC-S, RPT.pdf
body-scan-for-children-emdr-therapy
Play Based Breathing Methods
3 Play-Based Interventions to Use with Children of Deployment
Jamie Lynn Langley, LCSW, RPT-S
Nature Play Activities
Continue Learning Beyond the Event
Upgrade to the Therapist Extraordinaire Pass for lifetime access to every Monday presentation, the Grief and Loss Companion Notebook, bonus integration resources, and the ability to revisit the material whenever you need it.
Lucy is a Social Worker, Play Therapist and Certified Animal Assisted Play Therapist®️. She has worked with children and families for over 30 years and as a Play/Filial Therapist in a Child and Mental Health Service for over 15. In 2007 she started training with Rise VanFleet and Tracie Faa-Thompson in Animal Assisted Play Therapy®️. Her rescued Lurcher, Lykke trained with her and was an outstanding play Therapy dog, helping many children in a way they both enjoyed. Lucy’s Animal Assisted Play Therapy®️ Practice “Paws 4 Play” was established in 2010. She was the first person to become Certified and in 2015 won the prestigious ‘Kirrie Award’ for outstanding contributions and dedication to the field of Animal Assisted Play Therapy®. Lucy is a level 1 trainer/supervisor in Animal Assisted Play Therapy® and enjoys helping new practitioners. Lucy is studying more about working with dogs and is an assistant dog trainer. Lucy has written for magazines and journals and presented at conferences on Animal Assisted Play Therapy®.
Sabra Starnes is a passionate play therapist who has being doing play therapy for 18 years in the DMV area. She is the owner of Next Place Therapy Services in Largo, Maryland. Sabra’s area of expertise is in adoption and attachment play based therapies. She is an transracial adoptee and adoptive mother who often speaks on her personal and professional adoption experience. Sabra is an independent Clinical Social Worker licensed in Maryland and Washington, DC.
As a Maryland Board Supervisor and Registered Play Therapy Supervisor, she provides clinical and play therapy supervision. Her private practice is an approved provider for the Association of Play Therapy. Sabra is an engaging and creative play therapy trainer who provides play therapy webinars and workshops for mental health clinicians. Sabra received her Master’s in social work form Catholic University and her Master’s in Education from American University. Sabra is certified in Sandtray Therapy, Daring Way, EMDR, Trusted Behavior Intervention Relationship Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and Trauma System Therapy. She the coauthor of Increasing Your Play Therapy ToolBox.
Jackie Flynn is the founder and director of Counseling in Brevard, is a Licensed Psychotherapist, Registered Play Therapist, Trauma Therapist, Couples Counselor, Education Consultant, and Parent Coach. She is the creator of the following imagery books: Jackie Feels and Animal Imagery: EMDR Inner Resource Development. Her passion for helping children and families in a variety of settings inspired her to open a private practice group in Cocoa Village Florida where she provides caring, thoughtful counseling and therapy to individuals of all ages, families, couples, and groups.
As a proud veteran of the US Army, a Give an Hour Provider, and a Certified EMDR Therapist and EMDRIA Approved Consultant, she is passionate about helping people heal from traumatic experiences and move towards a happier, healthier life. She has special interests in Anxiety, Depression, Adoption, Grief, Relationship Struggles, Learning Disabilities, and Attention Deficit Disorder.
Jackie earned an Education Specialist degree in School Counseling from University of Central Florida and Graduate Certificates in Play Therapy and Nonprofit Management. Prior to her current work at Counseling in Brevard, she was honored to be the School Counselor at Sculptor Charter School in Titusville, where she currently serves on the Board of Directors as the Parent Representative. Jackie is also the creator and host of Play Therapy Community and Parenting in the Rain Podcasts, downloaded over 160,000 times in over 50 countries.
Clair Mellenthin, LCSW, RPT-S is a sought after international speaker, author, and psychotherapist. Clair is the author of Attachment Centered Play Therapy, Play Therapy : Proven Strategies for Childhood Disorders, and My Many Colors of Me Workbook. In addition to being an experienced play therapist and presenter, she frequently appears on local and national media as an expert on children and family issues.
Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S is an international teacher, creator of “Synergetic Play Therapy”, clinical author and researcher, and is the founder and President of the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute. She is the host of the “Lessons from the Playroom” podcast and webinar series and is the author of Aggression in Play: A Neurobiological Approach for Integrating Intensity. Lisa is the 2015 award recipient of the Association for Play Therapy’s “Professional Education and Training Award of Excellence”
Jamie Lynn Langley, LCSW, RPT-S has been a practicing child, family and play therapist in Tennessee for almost 30 years. For most of that time she worked in community mental health before going into private practice in late 2016. Jamie is also n adjunct professor for two universities in Tennessee (Middle TN State University and Lipscomb University). She co-founded and serves as the President of the Tennessee branch of the Association for Play Therapy and is a charter member of the Children & Nature Network founded by RIchard Louv. Jamie specializes in working with children and their families who have undergone trauma, loss, divorce, disruption and other adverse conditions and brings in nature as part of healing practice whenever possible. A former Cub Scout leader for 15 years, she especially enjoys her personal and family time in nature, especially at the beach and the breathtaking Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee.
Carmen K. Jimenez-Pride is a Master Level Social Worker, Substance Abuse Professional, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in North Carolina and Georgia. She is also a Licensed Independent Social Worker in South Carolina. Carmen is a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor credentialed by the Association of Play Therapy and operates a private practice in Augusta Ga. Carmen is a children’s book author, the publisher of the Increasing Your Play Therapy Tool Box and the creator of Focus on Feelings.
Carmen is trained in Internal Family Systems and other trauma based models and uses her skills to engage children and adults in creative therapeutic interventions within the playroom utilizing the sandtray.
Therapeutic Interventions for Kids
💙 TUESDAY
On Tuesday, we’ll explore practical therapeutic interventions for children and teens, including DBT, music therapy, EMDR integration, attachment-focused work, RDI, self-esteem building, labyrinth work, and strengths-based techniques.
Katie May
Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) with Teens Individually and in Groups
Kate Shannon
Music Therapy
Alyssa Calbeck
Integrating Play Therapy and EMDR Therapy
Robert Cox
Healing Early Childhood Attachment Trauma Techniques
Dr. Sarah Wayland
Relationship Development Intervention - RDI
Tammi VanHollander
How to Strengthen a Child’s Self-Esteem & Increase Motivation
Neal Harris
Using Labyrinths with Child and Teen Clients for Emotional Equilibrium, Integration of the Brain, and Connection
Stephanie Byrd
Inner Strength Superpower Booster Technique
For Therapist Extraordinaire Pass holders, today’s bonus materials are also available:
Katie May
Katie_May_Group_Resource_Guide
Robert Cox
Child Attunement JF
Sarah Wayland
PersonalizedSupport4YourChild.Wayland
Upgrade to the Therapist Extraordinaire Pass for lifetime access to every Tuesday presentation, the Play Heals Attachment Companion Notebook, bonus integration resources, and the ability to revisit the material whenever you need it.
Continue Learning Beyond the Event
Katie K. May is a licensed therapist and online course creator. She helps therapists market and fill groups and online group programs so that they can scale their impact and increase their income, without adding more hours in the office. To learn more and gain access to free trainings and resources to generate new clients like magic, visit www.becomeagroupguru.com.
Kate is a board-certified music therapist working in the Denver, CO area. She is currently finishing up the requirements to become a Licensed Professional Counselor and is excited to become a dual-certified clinician to better support her clients needs. She is also passionate about integrative approaches within therapy, especially with play and music therapy. Kate is the host of "Creative Therapy Umbrella: The Podcast" and loves to hike, read, knit, create, play with her dog and cat, and laugh with her husband.
Alyssa Caldbeck is a Licensed Indepdent Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist. She is an Approved Consultant trained under Ana Gomez and a Certified EMDR therapist. Alyssa is also an Integrative Attachment Treatment Protocol Certified Therapist through the Attachment and Trauma Center of Nebraska. She provides EMDR consultation to therapists and training on incorporating EMDR & play therapy.
Robert is a licensed professional counselor in MO who specializes in autism, trauma and addictions and trains individuals and families in mindfulness. He is the author of the book, "The Life Recovery Method: Autism Treatment From a Trauma Perspective" and the creator of the "Mindful Recovery Podcast". He lectures nationally and trains other professionals in the area of trauma, autism and mindfulness on a regular basis.
Sarah Wayland is a certified RDI™ Consultant, parent coach, and Special Needs Care Navigator at the company she founded, Guiding Exceptional Parents. She helps parents of children with ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, and other brain-based differences learn how to confidently and effectively help their children at home, at school, and in the community. As an RDI™ consultant, Dr. Wayland works with parents of kids who have trouble connecting with others to show them how to teach their children the essential skills that make relationships work. By learning about everyone in the family and collaborating with them, she helps families develop customized strategies that work.
Dr. Wayland got her B.A. from Rice University, her Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from Brandeis University, and had two postdoctoral fellowships - one at Northeastern University and another at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. She has worked as a software designer, and as a researcher, but her most valuable training came from parenting her two boys, both exceptional. You can learn more at www.guidingexceptionalparents.com.
Tammi Van Hollander, LCSW, RPT-S, is a licensed clinical social worker and registered play therapist. She is the owner of Main Line Play Therapy in Bryn Mawr, PA, where she works with children and families and consults with local schools and community members. She is a certified Trainer for the Nurtured Heart Approach®, a certified FirstPlay® practitioner, trained in level one Theraplay® and EMDR.
Tammi’s work and creative interventions in the field of play therapy have been published and internationally recognized. Tammi is the author of a multi-sensory, attachment-based children’s book titled, Casey’s Greatness Wings: Teaching Mindfulness, Connection, and Courage to Children and creator of Casey's Greatness Sticks. She is regular faculty member at The Expressive Therapies Summit in NYC and LA. She is a sought-after expert for speaking engagements, podcasts and webinars. For more information on Tammi’s publications and work, visit her website at www.mainlineplaytherapy.com.
Neal Harris is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, with a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. He has practiced the art of holistic psychotherapy for over 30 years. Neal is also the managing director of Relax4Life, a holistic education and services center and has been a workshop leader in the holistic health and self-enrichment fields since 1985.
To promote healing on many levels, Neal uses relaxation and meditation training, EFT, Reiki, Quantum-Touch®, Graphotherapy as well as his own modality “labyrinth counseling” (using his patented brain-balancing, communication-enhancing, double finger labyrinth design known as an Intuipath®). He also headed up a four-year national research study to determine the behavioral effects of the Intuipath® design on children and adolescents with ADHD.
Stephanie Byrd is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist and former elementary educator who has been working with children and families for over 20 years. She currently works with children, teens, couples, and families in private practice. Her clinical work focuses on trauma-informed care, attachment, relationships, and family systems.
In her role as a Supreme Court of Florida Certified Family Mediator and Parent Coordinator, she assists couples who are separating in creating a plan for long term stability and healing as co-parents.
Resources for Child Therapists
💛 WEDNESDAY
On Wednesday, we’ll explore important resources and considerations for child therapists, including high-conflict divorce, sexual abuse, LGBTQ+ support, teen addiction and vaping, school safety, therapeutic touch, and parent alienation.
Lynn Wonders
What Child Therapists Need to Know About Helping Children of High Conflict Divorce
Althea Simpson
Helping Children Heal from Sexual Abuse
Samantha Willis
Supporting Our Children and Adolescents in the LGBTQ Community
Julie M. Bowen
Recognizing Addiction in Teens and Knowing What the Recovery Process Entails
Amanda Mattick
Helping Teens Ambivalent About Vaping
Rebecca Comizio
Helping Kids Emotionally Deal with Active Shooter Drills at School
Dr. Janet Courtney
The Power of Touch
Dr. Amy J. L. Baker
What Clinicians Need to Know About Parent Alienation
For Therapist Extraordinaire Pass holders, today’s bonus materials are also available:
Lynn Louise Wonders
YellowandRedFlags
Althea Simpson
Summit-Agreesive Playroom
Samantha Willis
Resources for Clinicians
Resources for Families
HRT Hormone Blocker Form Letter
Bibliotherapy
Amanda Mattick
Understanding the Roles of Family Members When Working with Clients Struggling with Addiction
Rebecca Comizio
The School Psych Podcast Information
Janet Courtney
Magic Rainbow Hug Activity Book by Janet A. Courtney
Cover Magic Rainbow Activity Janet Courtney
Upgrade to the Therapist Extraordinaire Pass for lifetime access to every Wednesday presentation, the Beyond Words Companion Notebook, bonus integration resources, and the ability to revisit the material whenever you need it.
Continue Learning Beyond the Event
Lynn is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist- Supervisor and Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor. She has been providing psychotherapy services for children and families since 2001 and providing play therapy training, supervision and professional consultation since 2010. Lynn is trained as a Child Specialist in Collaborative Family Law and worked as a family law paralegal in her first career after college. She has provided expert witness testimony in numerous family litigation cases and has served as family therapist, reunification therapist and child therapist in her private practice since 2007. Lynn is the author of When Parents Are at War: A Child Therapist's Guide to Navigating High Conflict Divorce & Custody Cases and she provides case consultation for therapists on this topic throughout the United States and beyond. She otherwise specializes in providing play therapy for anxiety disorders in children and providing couples counseling using the Gottman method and a family systems theoretical approach.
Althea Simpson is the founder of Brighter Day Therapeutic Solutions and Unicorn Life Play Therapy Training. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor. Additionally, Althea has a B.S. in Business Management; MBA in Marketing: and MSW in Organizational Leadership. Althea’s passion for helping individuals go from “Hurt to Healed” aided in her decision to return to George Mason University to complete requirements to become a Clinical Social Worker and specialize in trauma recovery. Althea’s experience in the fields of business and mental health spans 20 years. Althea is pursuing her PhD in Business Psychology Consulting at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology.
Samantha earned a Master’s of Education in Counseling and Guidance with a concentration in Clinical Mental Health from the University of Montevallo. She also earned Bachelor’s Degrees in Psychology and Social Work with a Minor in Philosophy and Religion from the University of Montevallo. Samantha is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Alabama, a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), and Registered Play Therapist. Samantha has a certification in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). She utilizes peer-reviewed and evidence-based therapeutic techniques in her practice such as play therapy, sand tray therapy, and art therapy. Samantha is a Body-Brain sand tray specialist and uses the techniques with all ages.
Samantha works primarily with clients who have experienced trauma, experience dissociative symptoms, are in the LGBTQ+ community, or are transgender. Samantha is currently a student at Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) studying Gender Studies and is currently writing her thesis entitled “Transgender and Non-Binary Lived Experiences Among Southern Appalachian Youth: Correlations of Mental Health and Interpersonal Relationship Dynamics Before, During, and After the Coming out Process.”
Julie Marie Bowen, Director of Therapy Services, holds an LCSW. She is a Certified Trauma Specialist and works with children and adults to help in the healing process from traumatic experiences. She earned her certification as a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor and has experience working with teenagers and adults working through the addiction and recovery process. She has practical experience working with children, teens, and adults suffering from depression, anxiety, bullying, anger management, social skills, military families, blended families, substance abuse, trauma, ADHD, and developmental and intellectual disabilities. She is a Certified Substance Abuse Counselor and an AutPlay Therapist. AutPlay is a type of play therapy that benefits children with Autism as well as developmental, learning, social, and impulsive-control disorders. She is a mother of four and a proud military wife.
Mindset Counseling Solutions is a private practice in Melbourne, FL. We specialize in the treatment of young adults. Some of the issues we address in therapy are reducing anxiety, improving relationships, managing addiction struggles, and boosting self-confidence. We pride ourselves in the custom scheduling options we have; often starting out more intense with 2 hours of therapy a week then reduce the frequency once we see positive results. The goal is to feeling better as soon as possible.
Rebecca Comizio, MA, MA-Ed, NCSP is the Director of Social-Emotional Learning and school psychologist at The Stanwich School in Greenwich, CT. She is working to utilize her education, training and life experience to positively affect the lives of children and families by advocating for students.
Janet A. Courtney, PhD, LCSW is Founder of FirstPlay Therapy® [a developmental infant and child play therapy model] and Founder and Editor of FirstPlay® Café: An e-magazine for parents (womb to six Years). She helped found and oversees the Play Therapy curriculum at Barry University, Miami Shores, Florida. Dr. Courtney is author and co-editor of Touch in Child Counseling and Play Therapy: An Ethical and Clinical Guide. New York, NY: Routledge, and her research into practitioner experiences of training in touch and Developmental Play Therapy is published in the American Journal of Art Therapy and the International Journal of Play Therapy. She is a Registered Play Therapy-Supervisor, TEDx Speaker and immediate past Chair of the Association for Play Therapy Ethics and Practice Committee. She is also former President of the Florida Association for Play Therapy and Chair of the Viola Brody Award Committee. FirstPlay® Therapy was awarded Third Place overall in the Best Practices Showcase at the First 1000 Days Infant Mental Health Summit (Sept, 2018) along with the Children’s Healing Institute.
She has two books scheduled for publication Spring, 2020 including, “Infant Play Therapy: Foundations, Models, Programs and Practice,” as well as “Healing Child and Family Trauma Through Expressive and Play Therapies: Art, Nature, Storytelling, Body and Mindfulness.” She has been invited to speak nationally and internationally including the Cayman Islands, England, Ireland, Morocco, Bali, Indonesia, Russia and the Ukraine. She is a provider through the Florida state boards of mental health and Massage Therapy, and an approved provider through the Association for Play Therapy. She specializes in infant mental health and infant play therapy, attachment interventions, therapeutic storytelling, nature-based play therapies, and Trauma related issues. Dr. Courtney’s new form of Kinesthetic Storytelling® can be found in her children’s book, The Magic Rainbow. Website: www.FirstPlayTherapy.com and www.FirstPlaycafe.com
Dr. Baker has a PhD in developmental psychology and is the author or co-author of 8 books and over 115 articles for lat and professional audiences. She has served as an expert witness and provides parent coaching for families affected by parental alienation.
Understanding for Specific Struggles
🤍 THURSDAY
On Thursday, we’ll explore clinical considerations and practical approaches for supporting children and adolescents experiencing specific challenges, including schizophrenia, body-focused repetitive behaviors, sensory processing difficulties, anxiety, executive functioning concerns, ADHD, and suicide risk.
Sarah Magnoni
Important Information for Clinicians Working with Children with Schizophrenia
Dr. Laura Chackes
Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors
Lindsey Biel
Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder
Tiffanie Trudeau
Recognizing Anxiety in Kids
Diana Shaw
Helping Clients that Struggle with Attention and Executive Function Deficits
Dr. Dawn Brown
How Diet and Exercise Impacts Children with ADHD
Dr. Christie Rogers-Larke
Therapeutic Approaches for Kids with ADHD
Norine VanderHooven
Suicide Risk Assessments with Children and Adolescents
For Therapist Extraordinaire Pass holders, today’s bonus materials are also available:
Laura Chackes
Sitting with the Urge Meditation
Lindsey Biel
Does Your Student Have Sensory Processing Challenges?
sensory-checklist
Diana Shaw
Executive Functioning Go-To Handout - Created by Diana Shaw
Norine Vander Hooven
EMOTION THERMOMETER
EMOTION THERMOMETER
Upgrade to the Therapist Extraordinaire Pass for lifetime access to every Thursday presentation, the Play Documents Change Companion Notebook, bonus integration resources, and the ability to revisit the material whenever you need it.
Continue Learning Beyond the Event
Sarah Magnoni is a life and leadership coach trained by the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC). She specializes in working with parents who are navigating a mental illness diagnosis of a child. Coaching was pivotal in Sarah's own journey both professionally and personally, helping her to hone her leadership skills and to approach the challenges of life after her daughter's schizophrenia diagnosis. Her career has included owning a successful small business for eight years, managing a department of 130 professionals, and working in leadership development. Sarah is the proud mom of four grown children and Mimi to two adorable grandsons, wife of an airline pilot, and doting owner of two adorable pups. Find out more about her work at https://www.sarahmagnoni.com/.
Laura Chackes, Psy.D. is the owner of The Center for Mindfulness & CBT and a licensed psychologist who specializes in treating anxiety, OCD, and related disorders such as Body-Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs) like skin picking and hair pulling. Dr. Chackes has been treating these disorders in individual therapy with children, adolescents, and adults for over thirteen years using evidence-based treatments including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Exposure and Response Prevention (E/RP), Habit Reversal Training (HRT), and the Comprehensive Behavioral Treatment (ComB) model for BFRBs. She has also run treatment groups for children, adolescents, and adults with BFRBs for the past six years, and teaches courses online to adults with BFRBs, as well as to train therapists on how to treat these disorders.
Dr. Chackes teaches Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) to adults and families at the center and online. The Center for Mindfulness & CBT is a multi-specialty mental health and wellness center that provides cutting-edge, evidence-based treatment to children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Chackes leads a team of psychologists, counselors, social workers, and prescribers who work collaboratively to provide optimal care to every individual and family that they see.
Lindsey Biel is a pediatric occupational therapist with a private practice in New York City where she evaluates and treats children, adolescents, and young adults with sensory processing issues, developmental delays, autism spectrum disorders, and other challenges. She is co-author of the award-winning Raising a Sensory Smart Child: The Definitive Handbook for Helping Your Child with Sensory Processing Issues, with a foreword by Temple Grandin. She is also the author of Sensory Processing Challenges: Effective Clinical Work with Kids & Teens, co-created the Sensory Processing Master Class DVD program, and has authored two chapters in Dr. William Steele’s book Optimizing Learning Outcomes. Visit her websites at www.sensorysmarts.com and www.sensoryprocessingchallenges.com for downloadable checklists, articles, webcasts and more.
Tiffanie Trudeau is a Licensed Mental Health and Professional Counselor (LMHC, LPC) who is passionate about working with individuals and couples that feel stuck, lost and alone. Using an eclectic approach rooted in attachment theory, Tiffanie specializes in the treatment of depression, anxiety, relationship distress, trauma and addiction. Tiffanie holds a Dual Bachelor's of Art degree in Psychology and Criminology and a Master's of Art degree in Mental Health Counseling. In addition to her graduate coursework, Tiffanie has advanced training in:
• Dialectical Behavioral Therapy,
• Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy,
• Cognitive Processing Therapy,
• Sexual Assault Response,
• Gottman Method and
• Compulsive Sexual Behavior Therapy
Being a therapist is more than just Tiffanie’s chosen profession, but a part of who she is. Tiffanie truly believes in the healing power of having a witness to your life experiences, and having a trusted companion to provide feedback and support. In working with individuals within the military community, child advocacy community and in behavioral health settings, Tiffanie’s has learned that people do not care about what you know, until they know that you care. So in partnering with clients, Tiffanie strives to listen first, then ask how she can help.
Diana Shaw has spent 15 years in the field of education from elementary to high school. She has worked extensively with students as a teacher and a school counselor and understands the developmental stages impacting students' abilities to learn. Diana has taught gifted and high achieving students and identified methods to help them strengthen attention deficits and sharpen executive functioning skills.
Diana currently owns and operates a private practice called Chaos Solutions Counseling, LLC. She understands the challenges that individuals face with identity, emotional/mental well-being, educational needs, and advocacy. Diana’s mission is to empower individuals and families to be the BOSS of life’s chaos.
Dr. Dawn Kamilah Brown (Dr. Dawn Psych MD), America’s favorite ADHD Expert, also known as “The MD with ADHD”, is a double- board certified child, adolescent and adult psychiatrist. She is the owner, CEO and sole practitioner at ADHD Wellness Center and has two private practice locations in Texas; she also has a growing virtual presence, offering online appointments. She serves as a contract physician for five clinics where she has a medical license: Texas, Illinois and South Carolina and supervises nurse practitioners in two states.
Dr. Brown is a pioneer of the Mental Health Movement, a keynote speaker, an internationally recognized ADHD expert and coach, a two-time best-selling author, podcaster (“From ADHD to Amaze-Ability™”), on-air/media-influencer, and professional mentor. Dr. Brown is also a mental wellness provider for elite/professional athletes and a mental wellness strategist for “Supermoms” who parent children with ADHD. Her proprietary programs under her ADHD Amaze-Ability™ Academy help families “Position their children to win” and function optimally.
Dr. Christie has been a professional counselor for approximately 25 years across a variety of settings, including mental health, the school system, school based mental health, inpatient and outpatient and private practice. She has traveled around the country speaking about Mental Health in the Classroom, specifically focusing on ADHD and its impact across the lifespan. Currently, she owns Outside of the Box Therapy and Auxilium, a non-profit designed to advocate for, and improve, service delivery of mental health services in Gaffney, SC, as well as teaching courses across three different colleges.
Norine Vander Hooven is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has been in practice for 32 years. She specializes in trauma, anxiety, suicide prevention, and life transitions. Norine is also certified in EMDR therapy, and is in training to be an EMDR therapy consultant. She uses this to work with people with PTSD, anxiety, and traumatic life events. Norine provides clinical consultation for therapists, as well as she works with young adults and adults in her private practice
Child Mental Health Supports
💜 FRIDAY
On Friday, we’ll explore practical supports for children’s mental health, including parent-child connectedness, coping skills, assessment, maternal mental health, nutrition, school-based therapy, grief support, and therapeutic game development.
Robyn Gobbel
Understanding the Profound Benefits of Parent / Child Connectedness
Janine Halloran
Coping Skills for Kids
Joanna Piekarski
Assessments in Child Therapy
Dr. Katayune Kaeni
Maternal Mental Health and How it Impacts Children
Jill Castle
Understanding the Children’s Nutrition and Mental Health Connection
Dora Henderson
School Based Therapy
Diane (Dee Dee) Rodriguez
Helping Children Cope with Grief
Dr. Ellis Edmunds
How to Create a Therapeutic Game for Children and Adolescents
For Therapist Extraordinaire Pass holders, today’s bonus materials are also available:
Janine Halloran
Discovery Deck Coloring Sheets
Joanna Piekarski
5 tips for child therapists working with grief
Assessments in Child Therapy Cheat Sheet
Upgrade to the Therapist Extraordinaire Pass for lifetime access to every Friday presentation, the From Survival to Safety Companion Notebook, bonus integration resources, and the ability to revisit the material whenever you need it.
Continue Learning Beyond the Event
Robyn Gobbel, LCSW, LMSW, RPT-S has over 15 years of practice in family and play therapy experience, specializing in complex trauma, attachment, and adoption. Robyn is a therapist, trainer, and consultant who recently relocated to Grand Rapids, MI from Austin, TX. Robyn’s diverse clinical training includes EMDR (including EMDR adapted for children with attachment trauma), Somatic Experiencing, Theraplay, Trust Based Relational Intervention®, Circle of Security Parent Educator, The Alert Program® and Yogapeutics Aerial Yoga Level 1 Teacher Training. Robyn has integrated these training modalities with a foundation of attachment theory and the relational neurosciences to create an attachment-rich, sensory-sensitive, and relational neurosciences supported healing environment for children and families. Robyn consults, teaches, and trains extensively throughout the US, including as an instructor for the Foundations of Interpersonal Neurobiology Certificate Program at Portland Community College and with the Adoptive & Foster Family Therapy Post-Graduate Certificate Program offered by Portland State University and Oregon’s Department of Human Services. She has recently joined the working board of the Global Association for Interpersonal Neurobiology Studies (GAINS).
Janine Halloran is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who has been working with children, teens, and their families for over 15 years. She has been helping children and teens build their coping skills throughout her career in a variety of settings, including schools, mental health clinics and in her private practice. She is the author of the #1 Best Selling Coping Skills for Kids Workbook, and the host of the Calm & Connected podcast. Her work has been featured in the Boston Globe, Huffington Post, and The Skimm® Newsletter. Janine lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two children.
Joanna is originally from Toronto, Canada. After completing her M.Ed specializing in developmental psychology, she moved to Calgary, Alberta where she is currently a provisional psychologist and play therapist for CUPS Calgary Society, a non-profit organization in Calgary, Alberta, where she works with vulnerable families with children between the ages of 0-6. Joanna is also working with the Action Team for Triadic Attachment and Child Mental Health (ATTACH) through the University of Calgary to build reflective functioning skills of caregivers and promote a healthy attachment between caregivers and children. Joanna is the co-founder of Psyched About Kids Inc., which provides services, workshops and products to parents and teachers and aims to promote healthy early brain development. Joanna recently graduated from the University of Massachusetts as a post-graduate fellow in infant-parent mental health under the supervision of Dr. Ed Tronick.
Katayune Kaeni, Psy.D. PMH-C, is a psychologist certified in perinatal mental health and the creator and host of the Mom & Mind Podcast. She was drawn to this specialty after going through Postpartum Depression, Postpartum Anxiety and Postpartum OCD with her first child. Dr. Kat supports mothers and families in her private practice in Southern California. She is a trainer and board member for Postpartum Support International. Dr. Kat offers training and education and advocacy in perinatal mental health to her to local community and worldwide.
Jill Castle is one of the nation’s premier child nutrition experts. Known as a paradigm shifter who blends current research, practical application and common sense, Jill inspires audiences to think differently about child nutrition and feeding kids.
A sought-after speaker, advisor, and media contributor, Jill has inspired TEDx, government, medical and parent audiences. She serves on the Board of Advisors of Parents Magazine, and a handful of privately held child nutrition companies.
She is the author of Try New Food, The Smart Mom’s Guide to Starting Solids, Eat Like a Champion, and co-author of Fearless Feeding. She pens The Nourished Child blog, is the voice behind a popular podcast of the same name, and regularly contributes to US News & World Report’s For Parents.
Ellis was born and raised in Oakland, CA and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology in 2009. Ellis received his Doctorate of Psychology (Psy.D.) from the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) in San Francisco in 2013 where he wrote his dissertation on teaching mindfulness to socially anxious young adults. He has worked in community mental health, college counseling, and various Bay Area schools helping people from a variety of backgrounds improve their mental health and live more fulfilling lives.
Since starting his private practice in Oakland, CA in 2015 he has had the honor of supporting hundreds of adults and teens in the Bay Area live with more peace, purpose, and presence.
My name is Dora Henderson. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and currently the owner of A Safe Space Counseling LLC 9private practice) I worked as a District Mental Health Counselor for the school system for 5 years and was a grief counselor for Stoneman Douglas Highschool. I have worked in agency work for a few years, at Aspire , formally- Seminole Behavioral Healthcare. Prior to this I was a preschool teacher for 3 and 4 year olds, thus the journey to becoming a Play Therapist was an easy one for me as children have always been my passion.
I am a children's author and wrote the story of The Adventures of Sandi and Clammy and have puppets that go with the story. This children story helps with coping with grief and loss as well as increasing self-esteem.
I have been married for 33 years and have 3 adult children and now a grandmother.
Diane is a registered mental health counselor intern in the state of Florida, with a passion for grief education, grief care and grief advocacy. Born into a world of healing grief, she had experienced so many losses by the age of eighteen that she believed she knew everything there was to know about the grieving process. That was, until her only son Sergio died.
Through the tender moments and years that followed her greatest loss, she encountered many professionals who through no fault of their own, invalidated, minimized and avoided her grief because of their own grief illiteracy. Becoming an expert in her own grief, she turned her years of volunteering in the field, into a new career. Determined to help educate others in society where death, dying and bereavement are still challenged with honest, compassionate and understanding conversations; her drive was propelled by her life long love of helping people and the shear determination that every professional has the capacity to compassionately connect with grievers with the time, gifts and talents they already posses.
LIFETIME ACCESS TO THE ENTIRE SYMPOSIUM
The free symposium provides access during the event week. If you'd like to revisit the presentations, download the companion resources, and learn at your own pace, you can upgrade at any time.
The Therapist Extraordinaire Pass Includes:
• Lifetime access to every symposium presentation
• More than 50 expert-led sessions
• All companion notebooks
• 20 downloadable bonus resources
• Bonus integration materials
• Closing plenary access
• Live Symposium Community Collective
• The ability to revisit the material whenever you need it