The Innovative Child Therapy Symposium

Let's Explore Dr. Crenshaw’s Work and Wisdom Together

Thank you to Dr. David A. Crenshaw for sharing not only his expertise but also his heart. Your wisdom, humility, and lifelong dedication to the well-being of children have left a lasting imprint on our field — and on each of us. It is a true honor to learn from you.

Learn More About Dr. Crenshaw
Below you’ll find his bio, links to his work, and ways to stay connected with the incredible legacy he continues to build.

David A. Crenshaw, PhD, ABPP, RPT-S, recently retired from his role as Chief of Clinical Services at the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie, where he served with deep compassion and clinical excellence. A Board Certified Clinical Psychologist through the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP), Dr. Crenshaw is also a Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the APA Division of Child and Adolescent Psychology.

Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Crenshaw taught play therapy courses at esteemed institutions including Johns Hopkins and Columbia University and served as past President of the New York Association for Play Therapy. He is the author, co-author, editor, or co-editor of 24 influential books—several of which have been translated into seven languages—making a lasting contribution to the global field of child and play therapy.

In 2021, Dr. Crenshaw was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association for Play Therapy, a reflection of the deep respect and gratitude the field holds for him. Though recently retired, his legacy continues to inspire generations of therapists dedicated to the healing and protection of children.

📚 Books by Dr. David A. Crenshaw

1. 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.​

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

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

4. Evocative Strategies in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
This book presents over 150 practical strategies for engaging challenging children and adolescents in therapy.​

5. Bereavement: Counseling the Grieving Throughout the Life Cycle
This text provides comprehensive guidance on counseling individuals through various stages of grief.​ThriftBooks

6. Reflections, Insights & Hope for the Child Therapist
A collection of reflections and insights aimed at inspiring and supporting child therapists.​

7. Engaging Resistant Children in Therapy: Projective Drawing and Storytelling Techniques
Available as a free download, this book offers creative techniques for engaging resistant children in therapy.​

Let Me Introduce You to Jackie and Nidhi

I am the host of the annual Innovative Child Therapy Symposium and the Play Therapy Community Podcast. As an EMDRIA-Approved Consultant and Trainer, I specialize in integrating EMDR with play therapy and expressive arts to support healing in children and families. I offer EMDR trainings and consultations to therapists worldwide, focusing on developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed care. My publications include EMDR with Kids Flip Chart: A Play-Based Tool for Trauma Processing, Nervous System Regulation, and the Transformation of Adaptive Behaviors, Little Gecko's Broken Tail, In My Body, I Feel, Being Human, and Animal Imagery Inner Resource Development, among others. Through my work, I aim to empower clinicians to harness the power of play and EMDR in their practice.amazon.com+4emdria.org+4ebay.com+4

Nidhi Kirpalani is a Clinical and Counseling Psychologist based in Trinidad and Tobago. She is the founder and director of the Caribbean Sandtray Institute, established in August 2019, where she offers comprehensive sandtray therapy training across the Caribbean. As an International Credentialed Sandtray Therapist-Provider (ICST-P #006), Nidhi integrates neuroscience and expressive modalities to support healing in children and adults. Her work emphasizes connection and cultural responsiveness, and she collaborates with child protection agencies, conducts forensic interviews, and provides adoption assessments.

To Learn More from Jackie and Nidhi

Here are some ways we contribute to the field:

– Host and co-facilitator of the Innovative Child Therapy Symposium, bringing together experts in child mental health – Providers of EMDR and sandtray therapy trainings, emphasizing integrative and culturally responsive approaches
– Authors and contributors to resources that support therapists in working with children and families
– Advocates for trauma-informed, neurodivergent-affirming, and expressive therapies

Connect with Jackie and Nidhi

Jackie’s Website: www.jackieflynnconsulting.com
Nidhi’s Website: www.caribbeansandtray.com
Nidhi’s Email: nidhi@caribbeansandtray.com

💜Let Me Introduce You to Karen💜

Karen Fried, Psy.D., M.F.T. is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and an Educational Therapist and consultant in Los Angeles, California. She has a private practice in Psychotherapy. Karen uses the Oaklander Model of Child Therapy in her practice and is the President of the Violet Solomon Oaklander Foundation. She trains child and adolescent therapists and educators in the US and internationally. Training, online tools, and many resources can be found at karenfried.com. Karen can be reached at karen@karenfried.com.

To Learn More from Karen

Here are some of the ways Karen shares the Oaklander Model and supports the field:

– Former president of the Violet Solomon Oaklander Foundation, preserving and expanding Violet’s legacy – Developer of tools like the Oaklander Model Projective Cards and free clinical quizzes
– Creator of trainings and online resources for play therapists and educators worldwide
– Brings decades of experience in child and adolescent psychotherapy, education, and creative expression

Connect with Karen

Main Site: www.karenfried.com
Foundation: www.vsof.org
Courses: Oaklander Training on Teachable
Projective Cards: Oaklander Model Projective Cards
Bookstore: Karen's Books
Apps & Tools: www.playtherapyapps.com
Free Quiz: Executive Functioning Quiz
YouTube: Oaklander Training Channel
Email: karen@karenfried.com

Let Me Introduce You to Joye

Joye Newman earned her M.A. in Education and Human Development with a specialty in Perceptual Motor Development from The George Washington University. Integrating studies in behavioral optometry, occupational therapy, and psychology into her graduate work, she developed a unique method of movement therapy.

Joye founded and directed Kids Moving Company (KMC), a place for children to move, play, and think in a developmentally appropriate environment. After 30 years, Joye closed the studio to focus on individual evaluations and consultations with parents to help their children become more confident and competent in everything they do.

Joye is co-author with Carol Kranowitz of the In-Sync Child series, including their newest creation, MOVE! The In-Sync Child's Antidote to Screen Time.

To Learn More from Joye

Here are a few ways Joye helps bring movement back into the lives of children:

– Co-author of the In-Sync Child series, blending playful movement with developmental wisdom – Creator of MOVE!, a practical guide to replacing screen time with joyful, body-based activities
– Offers parent consultations to support children’s sensory and motor development
– Brings decades of expertise in perceptual motor development, movement therapy, and early childhood education

Connect with Joye

Website: www.insyncchild.com
Book: MOVE! The In-Sync Child’s Antidote to Screen Time
Email: joye@insyncchild.com

Let Me Introduce You to Cary

Cary M. Hamilton is an LMHC-S, CMHS, CAPS, RPT-S™, CDWF™ (Licensed Mental Health Counselor-Supervisor, Child Mental Health Specialist, Certified AutPlay Therapy Supervisor, Registered Play Therapy Supervisor, Certified Daring Way Facilitator™). Cary is the Director of Play Therapy at Antioch University Seattle for 11 years, Owner of a Group Practice Clinic, Olympia Therapy, and Past-President of the Washington Association for Play Therapy 2022–23 and 2015–16. She is an author and international presenter on Play Therapy Theory, Child-Centered Play Therapy, skills and methods, trauma, neurodiversity, sensory sensitivities, and play therapy in various settings. More information can be found at www.olympiatherapy.com

To Learn More from Cary

Here are some of the ways Cary brings depth and leadership to the play therapy field:

– Launching a training platform as an NBCC and APT-approved provider, focused on neurodivergent-affirming therapy
– Creator of Playful Wisdom, a parenting program that blends compassion, insight, and clinical expertise
– Leads Olympia Therapy, a group practice clinic supporting children and families in Washington
– Regularly teaches and presents internationally on trauma, play, and neurodiversity-informed care

Connect with Cary

Website: www.olympiatherapy.com
Training & Parenting Program: www.playfulwisdom.net
Email: caryh@olympiatherapy.com
Instagram: @carymhamilton
Practice Social Media: @olympiaplaytx
Parenting Program Social Media: @playfulwisdom

Let Me Introduce You to Darlene

Darlene is the owner of Authentic Healing LLC and a passionate advocate for self-care, trauma-informed practices, and sustainable careers. She holds dual licensure in Colorado as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC). Additionally, Darlene is an approved clinical supervisor and a nationally recognized trainer in Motivational Interviewing. She serves as an adjunct professor at the Graduate School of Social Work at Denver University and is an EMDR Consultant, currently working toward becoming an EMDR trainer.

Darlene’s approach to wellness and recovery is innovative and holistic, incorporating animal-assisted interventions, somatic healing, and sound healing. She is trained in NADA Acudetox, POCA 5 Point Protocol, and ear seeding. A certified group fitness instructor, she teaches a variety of formats, including Zumba, Mixxedfit, Socafit, and Tai Chi. She is also a 500-hour registered yoga teacher with training in Vinyasa, Hatha, Yin, Pranayama, and Nidra. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Darlene is committed to providing accessible and inclusive care to diverse communities.

To Learn More from Darlene

Here are some ways Darlene supports clinicians and the wider community:

– Leads EMDR consultation groups with a focus on somatic and attachment-informed integration – Offers clinical supervision with an emphasis on sustainability and nervous system awareness
– Available for workshops and public speaking on yoga in therapy, trauma-informed care, and more
– Brings movement and mindfulness into healing work through her background in fitness and yoga

Connect with Darlene

Website: www.darlenebrace.com
Consultation: Attachment and Somatic Clinical Supervision
Workshops & Speaking: Explore Services
Instagram: @authentic_healing
Facebook: DarleneBraceLCSW.LAC
TikTok: @attachment_therapist
Email: dar.brace@gmail.com

Let Me Introduce You to Mali

Maria has been in the education field for 30 years as a Montessori teacher, a public school early childhood educator, and most recently a play therapist and parent coach. Maria is fascinated by child development and helping parents understand their child, connect with their child and have the family life they dream of. Maria coaches parents nationwide and across the world. She’s also available to consult with schools and other mental health providers.

To Learn More from Mali

Here are a few ways Maria supports families and professionals:

– Creator of The Parent Lab: Ancient Wisdom, Modern Families, a unique approach to parenting support – Offers global coaching for parents seeking more connection, clarity, and confidence
– Shares tools like her free parent resource guide to help caregivers better understand intense children
– Consults with schools and mental health providers seeking family-centered solutions

Connect with Mali

Website: www.mariathefamilycoach.com
Free Resource: Seeing Your Intense Child More Clearly
Instagram: @mali_arias
Facebook: Maria Arias on Facebook
Email: maria@mariathefamilycoach.com

Let Me Introduce You to Danielle

Danielle is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist. She has been applying the therapeutic powers of play since 2017 and has worked professionally with children as young as 2.5, both individually and in groups. She is a certified AutPlay Therapist and provides neurodivergent-affirming services to children and families through a nervous system-informed lens.

To Learn More from Danielle

Here are some of the ways Danielle supports children and families:

– Founder and Clinical Director of Capital Children’s Wellness Center in Bethesda, Maryland
– Offers play therapy services that affirm neurodivergent identities and honor the nervous system
– Works with young children using developmentally grounded, play-based approaches
– Certified AutPlay Therapist with a strong commitment to child-led healing

Connect with Danielle

Website: www.capitalchildrenswellness.com
Instagram: @capitalchildrens_
Facebook: Capital Children's Wellness Center
Email: danielle@capitalchildrenswellness.com

Let Me Introduce You to Katie

Katie K. May is a licensed therapist and founder of Creative Healing Teen Support Centers. As a national speaker and trainer, she empowers parents and professionals to radically shift teen emotions and behaviors through proven and practical coping skills. Katie is a board-certified self-harm specialist and an expert in DBT, the gold-standard treatment for life-threatening behaviors. Katie is committed to helping teens feel accepted for who they are while teaching them skills to build a life they love.

To Learn More from Katie

Here are a few ways Katie supports teens and those who care for them:

– Author of You're On Fire, It’s Fine, a practical guide for parenting teens in crisis – Founder of the Teen Therapist Conference, a hands-on training event for clinicians
– Specializes in DBT and self-harm prevention through a strengths-based lens
– Offers engaging trainings that blend clinical depth with real-world application

Connect with Katie

Websites:
www.youreonfireitsfine.com
www.teentherapistconference.com
www.creativehealingphilly.com
Email: katie@creativehealingphilly.com
Book: You're On Fire, It's Fine

Let Me Introduce You to Dr. Rachel

Dr. Rachel Altvater (Psy.D., RPT-S™) is a multi-award winning, pioneering expert, leader, researcher, international trainer, author, and supervisor in the field of play therapy. She is a licensed psychologist and holds national certifications as a Registered Play Therapist–Supervisor™ and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. She is the owner of Creative Psychological Health Services, past president of the Maryland/DC Association for Play Therapy, editorial advisory board member for the International Journal of Play Therapy®, clinical advisory board member for PlaySpace, and clinical consultant for Hopscotch. Dr. Altvater authored the book Perspective: Contemplating the Complexities of Our Realities, published her research in the International Journal of Play Therapy® on technology use in play therapy, and is a contributing author in numerous scholarly texts on implementing digital technologies in play therapy practice.

To Learn More from Rachel

Here are some ways Rachel brings insight and transformation to the field:

– Author of Perspective, a book inviting readers into a deeper understanding of how our views shape reality and relationship – International trainer and speaker on the integration of digital technologies in play therapy

– Offers supervision, consultation, and advanced training for play therapists

– Leads Creative Psychological Health Services, providing psychologically safe, innovative therapeutic care

Connect with Rachel

Website & Links: https://beacons.ai/docvater

Book: Perspective on Amazon

Email: dr.rachelaltvater@gmail.com

Let Me Introduce You to Lindsey

Lindsey Biel, OTR/L, is an occupational therapist with a private practice in New York City where she evaluates and treats children, teens, and adults with sensory processing differences, autism, and other challenges. She is co-author of the bestselling Raising a Sensory Smart Child and author of Sensory Processing Challenges: Effective Clinical Work with Kids and Teens. She has conducted trainings for thousands of teachers, parents, therapists, and others. She has appeared in the New York Times, Autism Advocate magazine, Parent magazine, and other publications.

To Learn More from Lindsey

Here are a few ways Lindsey supports families and professionals:

– Offers consultations, evaluations, and occasional limited openings for ongoing interventions
– Provides in-person workshops and virtual webinars for parents and professionals
– Writes and speaks on sensory processing with clarity and depth rooted in real-life clinical work
– Shares practical tools for working with sensory differences across age groups

Connect with Lindsey

Website: www.sensorysmarts.com
Email: Lindsey@sensorysmarts.com
Free Resource: Sensory Checklist

Let Me Introduce You to Stacy

Stacy Schaffer, MA, LPC, is a compassionate and dedicated children’s therapist based in Arvada, Colorado, with more than twenty years of experience helping kids navigate grief, emotional challenges, and behavioral struggles. Specializing in Synergetic Play Therapy and grief work, Stacy creates safe, nurturing spaces where children, teens, and young adults can breathe deeply, feel heard, and begin to heal. She also serves as the Youth and Family Program Director at The Refuge, a non-profit community center focused on collective healing and belonging.

Stacy’s clinical work is rooted in both professional training and personal integrity. She continues to do her own inner work to stay present and genuine in her practice. Outside the therapy room, you’ll find her loving on her golden retriever Willow, reading, kickboxing, traveling, or dreaming of a second career in stand-up comedy. Her heart stays focused on one core mission—making sure young people feel empowered, supported, and never alone in their pain.

To Learn More from Stacy

Here are a few ways Stacy shares her work with the field

• Author of With Love from a Children’s Therapist: #lessonsihavelearnedalongtheway — now available in print, with the audiobook releasing soon
• Leads therapeutic programs for children, teens, and families through The Refuge in Colorado
• Offers Synergetic Play Therapy and grief-focused care in private practice
• Speaks and teaches from a place of lived compassion and clinical depth

Connect with Stacy

Email: stacymichelle@msn.com
The Refuge: www.therefugeonline.org (for program details)
Book: With Love from a Children’s Therapist (check major platforms for availability)

Let Me Introduce You to Claudia

Claudia Ocampo, MS, LPC-S, RPT-S™, is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™, and EMDRIA-Approved Consultant with over 25 years of experience across educational and clinical settings. She is an Approved Continuing Education Provider for both the Association for Play Therapy and the EMDR International Association. Claudia brings a depth of knowledge and cultural attunement to her work, supporting adults, teens, and children through an integrative, trauma-informed lens.

Her approach weaves together EMDR, Sand Therapy, Play Therapy, Expressive Arts, and Internal Family Systems, offering clients a path toward meaningful change and personal growth. Known for her dedication to inclusive practices, Claudia is also an active volunteer and committee member, continually advocating for equity, access, and representation within the mental health field.

To Learn More from Claudia

Here are a few ways Claudia shares her work with the field

• Offers professional trainings in Play Therapy, EMDR, and integrative trauma care• Provides consultation and supervision for therapists seeking advanced support
• Advocates for culturally responsive care in clinical and community spaces
• Serves as an educator and leader in both APT and EMDRIA circles

Connect with Claudia

Website: www.evergreenjourneycounseling.com
Email: ocampo@evergreenjourneycounseling.com

Let Me Introduce You to Debora

Debora McManus, LCSW, RPT-S, CAAPT, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and Certified Animal Assisted Play Therapist based in Lafayette, California. With over two decades of experience, Debora specializes in helping children and families navigate emotional and behavioral challenges. Her approach integrates play therapy and animal-assisted interventions, creating a nurturing environment for healing and growth.

Debora is also a mixed media artist whose creative work is deeply influenced by her therapeutic lens. Her art reflects themes of healing, identity, and presence—often emerging from the same attuned, relational space she brings to her clinical work. Through her studio practice, she creates art that is expressive, layered, and alive with meaning, offering yet another way to explore what it means to feel and to heal.

To Learn More from Debora

Here are a few ways Debora shares her work with the field

• Provides play therapy and animal-assisted interventions for children and families• Supports therapists as a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor
• Maintains an active studio art practice informed by her clinical perspective
• Offers art that explores emotion, story, and the embodied experience of being human

Connect with Debora

Therapy Site: www.mcmanus-therapy.com
Art Studio: www.delmar-studio.com
Email: deboramcmanus@gmail.com

Let Me Introduce You to Alisha and Catherine

Alisha Denham, LCSW, RPT-S, and Catherine Denham, LCSW, RPT-S, are the creative force behind Momma Owls Minis, a small family-owned business with big heart. Established in 2019, Momma Owls Minis was born from their shared love of Sandtray Therapy and a desire to bring more hope and healing into the world—one handcrafted figure at a time. As seasoned therapists, they understand the power of image and metaphor in a healing journey and have built their business around creating pieces that hold meaning and magic.

What started in their home kitchen has since expanded into a dedicated backyard studio where imagination, healing, and a bit of paint splatter still go hand in hand. Through their artful creations, Alisha and Catherine continue to support therapists and clients across the globe, offering handmade miniatures that are as thoughtful as they are transformative.

To Learn More from Alisha and Catherine

Here are a few ways they share their work with the field

• Create handcrafted miniatures designed with Sandtray Therapy in mind
• Infuse clinical experience into every design, bridging art and healing
• Support therapists in finding just-right symbols for client work
• Celebrate creativity as a core part of the therapeutic process

Connect with Alisha and Catherine

Website: www.mommaowlsminis.com

Let Me Introduce You to Jocelyn

Jocelyn Fitzgerald, LMFT, ATR, EMDR Consultant, is an Art Therapist, EMDRIA-approved EMDR Consultant, and accomplished author. With a passion for integrating creativity and trauma-focused therapy, she has co-authored EMDR and the Creative Arts Therapies and the children’s book Colorful Place: Mindful Story and Art for Kids. Jocelyn specializes in using art and EMDR to help clients of all ages manage anxiety, process trauma, and build resilience. Based in Vancouver, WA, she also mentors clinicians in incorporating EMDR into their practice, emphasizing its transformative potential for healing and self-awareness.

To Learn More from Jocelyn

Here are a few ways Jocelyn shares her work with the field

• Co-author of EMDR and the Creative Arts Therapies and Colorful Place: Mindful Story and Art for Kids

• Offers training, consultation, and creative tools for therapists integrating EMDR and art

• Maintains an online shop for expressive therapy tools

• Provides clinical supervision and mentorship grounded in creativity and trauma-informed care

Connect with Jocelyn

Website: www.jocelynfitzgerald.com

Book site: www.emdrcat.com

Etsy Shop: Colorful Therapy Tools

Let Me Introduce You to Ann

Ann Meehan, MS, LPCC, RPT-S, is a mental health therapist who specializes in helping children, adolescents, and families heal, grow, and move forward from life’s difficulties, big emotions, and challenging behaviors. She is a Registered Play Therapist and Supervisor and an EMDR Consultant.

Ann helps other therapists feel inspired and thrive in their practices through her writing at The Playful Therapist Blog and her offerings through Meehan Mental Health Services Training Center. She is the owner of Create Wellness Center for Child and Adolescent Therapy in Cloquet, Minnesota, and currently serves as the president of the Minnesota Association for Play Therapy.

To Learn More from Ann

Here are a few ways Ann shares her work with the field

• The 5 Minute Note – A practical tool for efficient, focused clinical documentation
• Play Therapy Documentation Training – Covers diagnostic assessments, treatment planning, and progress notes in a play therapy setting

Connect with Ann

Website: www.meehanmentalhealth.com

Facebook: facebook.com/MeehanMentalHealth

Email: ann@meehanmentalhealth.com

Let Me Introduce You to Lisa

Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S, is an international teacher, author, creator of Synergetic Play Therapy, founder and President of the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute, co-founder of the Synergetic Education Institute, creator of the Business of Therapy, and host of the Lessons from the Playroom podcast. She is a contributing author in the field of play therapy, as well as the author of Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach for Integrating Intensity. Lisa is the 2015 recipient of the Association for Play Therapy’s Professional Education and Training Award of Excellence.

Known for her visionary work in the field of play therapy and regulation, Lisa brings clarity and depth to some of the most challenging aspects of clinical work with children. Her trainings reflect a blend of neuroscience, heartfelt presence, and practical tools, empowering clinicians to expand their capacity for connection while staying regulated in the face of intensity.

To Learn More from Lisa

Here are a few ways Lisa shares her work with the field

• Teaches Intro to Synergetic Play Therapy — a foundational course that has reached clinicians worldwide

• Author of Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach for Integrating Intensity

Connect with Lisa

Website and trainings: https://synergeticplaytherapy.com

Podcast: Lessons from the Playroom

Book: Aggression in Play Therapy – available wherever books are sold

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

Let Me Introduce You to Theresa

Theresa Fraser, CYC-P, CPT-S, MA, RP, RCT, is a trauma specialist and Canadian Play Therapy Supervisor with a strong international presence in the field. She is the owner of Maritime Play Therapy Centre in Nova Scotia, offering foundational and continuing education for play therapists, and also runs Changing Steps Child and Family Counselling in Prince Edward Island and Ontario. Theresa is well known for her Sandtray work across the lifespan and was honored in 2021 by becoming a member of the Lowenfeld Trust.

Theresa and her husband were treatment foster parents for nearly thirty years and are adoptive parents. Her clinical work draws from EMDR, Brainspotting, SSP, and Theraplay-informed approaches. She is also a consultant for children's mental health programs and provides supervision across modalities. In 2022, she co-authored The Embodied Brain and Sandtray Therapy: Stories of Healing and Transformation with Rita Grayson. Her work bridges research, experience, and heartfelt dedication to systems of care for children and families.

To Learn More from Theresa

Here are a few of the ways Theresa continues to impact the field

• Offers a Sandtray Practitioner Certificate through Maritime Play Therapy Centre
• Co-authored The Embodied Brain and Sandtray Therapy
• Provides clinical supervision and consultation for therapists and programs across Canada
• Supports therapists working with adoptive families through a family systems lens

Connect with Theresa

Website: www.maritimeplaytherapycentre.com
Counseling Services: www.changingstepsfamilycounselling.com
Email: maritimeptc@gmail.com
Book: The Embodied Brain and Sandtray Therapy
Certificate Program: Sandtray Practitioner Certificate

Let Me Introduce You to Dayna

Dayna Sykes, LPC-S, MHSP, RPT-S, is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor™ based in Tennessee. She is also a TraumaPlay™ Certified Supervisor and an EMDR Consultant in Training. Dayna owns a private practice on her family farm, where she offers play therapy for children ages three and up, integrating EMDR, sandtray therapy, and trauma-informed care. She also works with young adults and adult women, creating space for deep healing through creative, relational approaches.

Dayna provides supervision and consultation for Play Therapy, EMDR, TraumaPlay™ certification, and LPC licensure, with a special focus on supporting therapists in working with parents. Passionate about the power of the parent-child relationship, Dayna helps clinicians learn how to meaningfully engage parents—even those navigating their own trauma histories. Her work is rooted in authenticity, presence, and a deep belief in the healing power of connection.

To Learn More from Dayna

Here are just a few of the ways Dayna supports the field

• Leads supervision groups for Play Therapy and provides consultation for EMDR, parent work, and licensure• Offers trauma-informed therapy to children, teens, and women in a peaceful farm setting
• Integrates EMDR and sandtray into developmentally appropriate, attachment-focused care
• Helps clinicians build confidence in engaging parents who carry their own trauma histories

Connect with Dayna

Website: www.daynasykeslpc.com
Email: dayna@daynasykeslpc.com

Let Me Introduce You to Traci

Traci W. Pirri, LCSW-S, is an EMDRIA-Approved Consultant, speaker, and founder of Hope For The Journey, a private group practice with two locations in the Austin, Texas area. With a clinical focus on sexual trauma, complex and attachment trauma, dissociative disorders, and EMDR, Traci brings decades of specialized experience to her work. She was among the first clinicians trained in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in the U.S., and continues to integrate emerging knowledge with grounded, practical approaches to healing.

Traci is passionate about helping other clinicians feel confident in their work with complex trauma and dissociation while minimizing the risk of burnout. She teaches from a place of deep experience, humility, and practicality, creating spaces for learning that are both insightful and sustainable. Through her trainings and resources, Traci equips therapists to navigate dissociation and trauma with clarity, skill, and heart.

To Learn More from Traci

Here are a few ways Traci shares her work with the field

• Offers in-depth trainings on dissociation and complex trauma, including The Therapist’s Field Guide to Dissociation• Created the free Therapist’s Ultimate Cheatsheet to Dissociation for quick, practical reference
• Provides consultation for therapists looking to build competence in EMDR and trauma work
• Leads a group practice devoted to trauma-informed, client-centered care

Connect with Traci

Trainings: hopeforthejourney.org/therapist-trainings
Free Resource: hopeforthejourney.org/dissociationcheatsheet