LEADERSHIP Editorial


Dee Ray, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S Chair, APT Board of Directors


         recognition and credibility thanks to the efforts of APT and play therapists across the world. The growth of play therapy is a mixed development. On one hand, play therapists have extended their reach to offer developmentally appropriate counseling to children in need. As play therapists, we have an expanding network of support among each other. Yet, on the other hand, the economic and status


opportunities have also increased within the play therapy world, leading to a wider array of questionable trainings, approaches, and practices. We, as play therapists, must be vigilant to keep our focus on the greater good by operating from grounded theoretical constructs and evidence-based research that support our practices.


                        is used 5 times across 5 paragraphs in order to emphasize the essential  therapy practice. Play therapists are most effective when they understand the nature of the play therapy process and operationally practice to better serve children and families. Through concerted efforts to maintain the integrity of play therapy practice, APT continues to advocate for quality training, mentoring, and supervising of play therapists. Furthermore, APT continues to support research for effective methods. As members are the very heart of APT, I hope that we will do our part to promote the quality of the relationships we offer to children. It has been an honor to serve as APT Chair and I sincerely appreciate the opportunity to serve my fellow play therapists. Play Well!


ENDS POLICIES


                         Registered Play Therapist and Supervisor credentials, and education and training, necessary to enhance the play therapy expertise and success of its member mental health professionals.


5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 POSITIVE IMAGE


Play therapy will have a positive, professional image such that the public and a broad range of health, 


PUBLIC TRUST


The public can trust that credentialed play therapists provide safe and continuously improving care to children and families.


ETHICAL, SKILLED MEMBERS


APT members are ethical, knowledgeable, skilled, and continuously improving across all stages of their professional careers.


NEW KNOWLEDGE


5.04.01 Newknowledge is pursuedthroughresearchsuchthatplaytherapy practice is evidence-based. 5.04.02 Accurate information and practice tools exist to support play therapists’ practices.


5.05 VIBRANT COMMUNITY


Mental         collaborative play therapy professional community.


APT observes the Policy Governance© Model. The board scans the mental health environment and then


      the CEO accountable for collaborating with members to produce the programs that accomplish those Ends.


401 Clovis Ave, Suite 107 Clovis, CA 93612 USA Tel (559) 298-3400 Fax (559) 298-3410


GLOBAL ENDS POLICY 5.00 The Association for Play Therapy (APT) exists to advance play therapy and provide a professional and diverse community to support those engaged in play therapy practice, instruction, and supervision.


Kathryn Lebby, CAE, CMP APT President/CEO


BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Dee Ray, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S (TX) Chair-Elect Kim Vander Dussen, PsyD, RPT-S (CA) Secretary Edward Franc Hudspeth, PhD, LPC, RPT-S (MS) Past Chair Robert Jason Grant, EdD, LPC, CAS, RPT-S (MO) Director Rebeca Chow, PhD, LCPC, RPT-S (KS) Director Erin Dugan, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S (LA) Director Elizabeth Hartwig, PhD, LPC-S, LMFT, RPT-S (TX) Director Tony Lai, MA, LPC, RPT-S (OR) Director Kristi Perryman, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S (AR) President & CEO Kathryn Lebby, CAE, CMP (CA)


COMMITTEE CHAIRS Conference Program Lisa Staab Shadburn, PsyD, LP, RPT-S (CA) Ethics & Practices  International Journal®


Edward Franc Hudspeth, PhD, LPC, RPT-S (MS)


Awards of Excellence Clair Mellenthin, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S (UT) Leadership Academy Kadesha Adelakun, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S, PMH-C (GA) Mining Reports Yih-Jiun Shen, DEd, NCC, CSC (TX) Nominations Robert Jason Grant, EdD, LPC, CAS, RPT-S (MO) Play TherapyTM


Mandi Meléndez, LMFT-S, LPC-S, RPT-S (TX)


Registration & Continuing Educ Bridgette Mitchell Sanders, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S (CA) Research Yi-Ju Cheng, PhD, LPC, NCC, RPT (NJ) University Education Corie Schoeneberg, EdS, LPC, NCC, RPT-S (MO)


FOUNDATION FOR PLAY THERAPY Chair Mary Anne Peabody, EdD, LCSW, RPT-S (ME) Vice-Chair Sueann Kenney-Noziska, LISW, RPT-S (NM) Secretary Teri Krull, LCSW, ACSW, RPT-S (AZ) Treasurer Johnnie Jenkins III, LPC, RPT-S (GA) APT Chair & CGO Dee Ray, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S (TX) President & CEO Kathryn Lebby, CAE, CMP (CA)


STAFF President & CEO Kathryn Lebby, CAE, CMP Vice President & COO Diane Leon, CMP Operations Manager Melissa Villegas, MPA Education & Training Manager Jaqueline Rosales Clinical Coordinator Megan Curtis Credentialing Services Brianna Ortiz Member Services Erica Godinez Administrative Assistant Keyla Rios Ontiveros


PLAYTHERAPY™ Publication Policies: Play TherapyTM


Publisher & Editor Kathryn Lebby, CAE, CMP Clinical Editor Mandi Meléndez, LMFT-S, LPC-S, RPT-S Assistant Clinical Editor Melissa Villegas, MPA Art Director Keith Cappelluti, www.keithcappelluti.com


is published by the Association for Play Therapy on behalf of its


member psychologists, social workers, counselors, marriage and family therapists, and other mental health professionals and subscribers who apply the therapeutic power of play to effectively commu- nicate with and help clients, especially children, achieve optimal mental health. It is produced and dis- tributed quarterly via 3rd class mail each March, June, September, and December. Its $50.00 annual subscription fee is included in membership dues. Publication of articles and advertisements is not an endorsement of authors, advertisers, or their opinions and products. The views expressed herein do not necessarily reflect those of APT or its members, directors, or staff. APT reserves the right to reject, omit, or cancel advertising for any reason, edit for clarity and spatial purposes, and refuse discrimina-  


2 | PLAYTHERAPY | September 2023 | www.a4pt.org


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