LEADERSHIP Editorial


Kathryn Lebby, CAE, CMP APT President/CEO


AI in Play Therapy: A Tool for Progress, A Call for Caution       health landscape, offering tools to enhance diagnosis, personalize treatment, and expand access to care. AI-powered chatbots provide immediate support, machine learning models detect patterns in client


data, and digital platforms are improving engagement in therapeutic interventions. This technology holds immense potential to address gaps in care, particularly for underserved populations. However, the integration of AI demands thoughtful caution. Algorithms can inadvertently perpetuate biases, misinterpret cultural nuances, or oversimplify complex human experiences. While AI excels in pattern recognition, it lacks the empathy and contextual understanding central to the therapeutic alliance. Ethical concerns also loom large: safeguarding sensitive data, ensuring accountability, and aligning tools with client well-being are crucial considerations.


Recognizing this, members of our Ethics Committee developed Ethical Considerations for Implementing AI in Play Therapy, a comprehensive guide rooted in the newly updated Play Therapy Best Practices (2025). This issue features an article offering an overview of the document,  questions and actionable principles to support the responsible adoption of AI in play therapy. AI should empower, not replace, human connection in therapy. As we


embrace these innovations, let us ensure they are tools of progress that honor the complexity of the human experience.


ENDS POLICIES


The Association for Play Therapy promises to 1) advance and promote play therapy as a credible mental health treatment and, in order to better serve the public, 2) assure access to information, best practices, 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 5.05 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 are trained to 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.


RESEARCH


Research supporting the evidence base of play therapy will be shared and opportunities for further research will be promoted.


VIBRANT COMMUNITY


Mental       collaborative play therapy professional community.


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


determines which Ends (outcomes) will best advance play therapy and assist play therapists. It then holds 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.


Rebeca Chow, PhD, LCPC, RPT-S, Chair, APT Board of Directors


BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chair Rebeca Chow, PhD, LCPC, RPT-S (KS) Chair-Elect Kristi Perryman, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S (AR) Secretary Tony Lai, MA, LPC, RPT-S (OR) Past Chair Kim Vander Dussen, PsyD, RPT-S (CA) Director Yolanda Fountain Hardy, PhD, LPC, LCMHC, RPT-S (GA) Director Elizabeth Hartwig, PhD, LPC-S, LMFT, RPT-S (TX) Director Edward Franc Hudspeth, PhD, LPC, RPT-S (MS) Director Sueann Kenney-Noziska, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S (NM) Director Julie Nash, PhD, RPT-S (CT) President & CEO Kathryn Lebby, CAE, CMP (CA)


COMMITTEE CHAIRS Conference Program Michelle Pliske, DSW, LCSW, RPT-S (OR) Ethics & Practices Lisa Anderson Mangan, MEd, LCPC, RPT-S (MT) International Journal®


Mandi Meléndez, LMFT-S, LPC-S, RPT-S (TX) Sarah D. Stauffer, PhD, LPC, NCC, RPT-S (Switzerland)


Awards of Excellence Kristy Donaldson, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S (TX) Leadership Academy Rebekah Byrd, PhD, LCMHC, LPC, RPT-S (NC) Nominations Kim Vander Dussen, PsyD, RPT-S (CA) Play TherapyTM


Registration & Continuing Educ Mary M. Bennett, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S (TX) Research Yi-Ju Cheng, PhD, LPC, NCC, RPT (NJ) University Education Kasie Lee, PhD, LPC-MHSP, RPT-S (TN)


FOUNDATION FOR PLAY THERAPY Chair Mary Anne Peabody, EdD, LCSW, RPT-S (ME) Vice-Chair Johnnie Jenkins III, LPC, RPT-S (GA) Secretary Teri Krull, LCSW, ACSW, RPT-S (AZ) Treasurer Tara Moser, MSW, LCSW, RPT-S (FL) APT Chair & CGO Rebeca Chow, PhD, LCPC, RPT-S (KS) 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 Coordinator Rosalinda Mendez Clinical Coordinator Megan Curtis, MA, LPCC Credentialing Services Brianna Ortiz Credentialing Services Keyla Rios Ontiveros Credentialing Services Kira Moore Member Services Erica Godinez Esmeralda Villegas


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


PLAYTHERAPY ™ Publication Policies: Play TherapyTM 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  omit, or cancel advertising for any reason, edit for clarity and spatial purposes, and refuse discrimina- tory content. Advertisers contact (559) 298-3400, or visit www.a4pt.org. Copyright 2017 Association for Play Therapy, ISSN 1934-9785.


2 | PLAYTHERAPY March 2025 | www.a4pt.org


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