SPECIAL SECTION 2026 Director Candidate Information
The APT Nominations Committee is pleased to present the APT membership with a recommended slate of candidates for the two open positions on the APT Board. The individuals elected will serve a three-year term on the APT Board of Directors. Professional members More information will be shared weekly in our Play Today digital newsletter.
Mary Morrison Bennett,
PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S™ + Discipline: Counseling + Position: Private Practice, Austin, TX + Member Since: 2000 + Leadership Graduate:
+ APT Service: Play Therapy™ Magazine Author • Published in International Journal of Play Therapy ® Annual APT Conference, Presenter
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+ APT Committees: Chair, Registration Task Force of Revoked Credentials, 2025 • Clinical Advisory Committee, 2025 • International Journal of Play Therapy®
• Awards of Excellence Committee,
+ Branch Service: Texas APT, 2025 • Texas APT, Conference Chair Presenter
+ APT Outcome Goals: APT establishes standards of practice, providing credibility to play therapists and protecting the vulnerable. It serves both professionals and children, ensuring effective, ethical therapy practices.
Parie Faridnia,
PsyD, LP, RPT-S™ + Discipline: Psychology + Position: Private Practice, Irvine, CA + Member Since: + Leadership Graduate: 2022
+ APT Service: Play Therapy™ Magazine Author • Annual APT Conference, Presenter • Emerging Leader Service Award, 2023
+ APT Committees: Ethics Committee, 2025-Present • Leadership Academy Committee, 2023-Present • Research Committee, 2023-Present • Task Force of Revoked Credentials, 2025 • Branch
+ Branch Service: California APT, Immediate Past President, 2022 • California APT, President Elect, CE Committee Advisory Member, 2023-2025
+ APT Outcome Goals: APT ensures play therapy is ethically practiced, publicly trusted, and equitably accessible, advancing mental health for children while supporting members and credentialed play therapists.
Kara Carnes-Holt,
PhD, LPC, RPT-S™ + Discipline: Counseling
+ Position: Department Chair & Professor, University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, CO
+ Member Since: + Leadership Graduate:
+ APT Service: Published in International Journal of Play Therapy® Annual APT Conference, Presenter
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+ APT Committees: Registration & CE Committee, 2025-Present • Conference
+ Branch Service: Wyoming APT, APT Conference Co-Sponsorship,
+ APT Outcome Goals: APT exists to support professionals through training, research access, and credentialing, ultimately empowering children and families to thrive and live their best, healthiest lives.
Julie Nash,
PhD, RPT-S™ + Discipline: Clinical Psychology
+ Position: Owner, Riverside Psychological Associates, LLC, Chester, CT
+ Member Since: + Leadership Graduate:
+ APT Service: APT Board of Directors, • Annual APT Conference, Presenter • Play Therapy™ Magazine Author
+ APT Committees: Branch Task International Journal of Play Therapy®
Play Therapy™ Magazine Reviewer:
+ Branch Service: New England APT,
+ APT Outcome Goals: Trained and credentialed play therapists to provide effective, research-supported play therapy for the public and an engaging professional organization for play therapists.
www.a4pt.org | June 2026 | PLAYTHERAPY | 27
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