For Rocky Mountain Play Therapy Institute’s 25th Year Anniversary we invited participants of our programs to join the “Fairy Door Community.”
These “Fairy Doors” are a metaphor for the interconnections and opportunities we bring to one another through using the modality of Play Therapy and Therapeutic Play Skills.
Each of our students is a unique contributor to mental health and brings their own experiences and knowledge to our collective calling to heal hearts and mend spirits.
Our students are a valuable member of our history, and we want to commemorate everyone who connected to us as a part of our journey towards success and excellence in delivering high quality Play Therapy training for the past quarter century.
Place your cursor on the image to read about the contributor. Click on the tags for regions and designations.
AllAlbertaArt TherapistAustraliaBCCalgaryCanadaColoradoCounselling TherapistEdmontonEducational PsychologistFamily School LiaisonFort McMurrayGeelongMental Health TherapistNSWPlay TherapistPsychologistRMPTIRPTRed DeerRegistered Clinical CounsellorRegistered Play TherapistRegistered Provisional PsychologistSaskatchewanSherwood ParkSpirit RiverSt. JamesSydneyTherapeutic Play PractitionerTherapistTisburyTrinidad & tobagoUSAUnited KingdomVancouver
Lorri A. Yasenik
"I am the Director of RMPTI and I have been in private practice for 30 years. I am a Registered and Certified Play Therapist Supervisor and I have loved (almost) every minute of my work as a play therapist and psychotherapist.
I work nationally and internationally delivering Play Therapy training and am on the International Advisory Board for Deakin University's Masters Degree Play Therapy Program.
So much has occurred in 30 years and too much to say -but I learned the most from my child clients and those I supervise - I am very grateful!"
Ken Gardner
"Together with Lorri Yasenik, started RMPTI 25 years ago. Now semi-retired but continue to practice as a Psychologist/Play Therapist (Supervisor). Congratulations to RMPTI for 25 years ... and best wishes to all in our play therapy community."
Jessica Stone
Jessica is a licensed psychologist in Colorado. She has been a practitioner, professor, presenter, mentor, and author for more than 30 years. Dr. Stone specializes in therapeutic digital tools, specifically using virtual Reality, tablets, and consoles. This interest has culminated in clinical mental health use and research for mental health, medical, and crisis settings. Dr. Stone has numerous publications to date including Integrating Technology into Modern Therapies, Game Play, Play Therapy Theory and Perspectives, Play Therapy and Telemental Health, and Digital Play Therapy in addition to numerous chapters in a variety of books.
Corrine McArthur
"I am from the Kahkewistahaw First Nation and have a Master degree in Social Work. I have worked with children and their families since 2002 in the school as a family support worker and family advocate.
I have been a mental health therapist since 2011 focusing most of my work and research in healing from interpersonal violence, specifically child sexual abuse.
My work has taken me full circle and I am now focusing on helping First Nations children and their families heal from the impacts of colonization and the intergenerational traumas of the residential and day schools."
Lisa Gordon Clark
Lisa trained as a Play Therapist in the mid-1990s and had a successful private practice in London before transferring her therapeutic base to a welcoming home environment near Tisbury, on the Wiltshire / Dorset / Somerset borders. Lisa is a Full member of BAPT (The British Association of Play Therapists) and a BAPT-approved clinical supervisor. Until December 2020 Lisa was the Programme Convener of the Play Therapy MA at the University of Roehampton, London where she continues as a Visiting Lecturer for introductory/short courses. She also now delivers BAPT-endorsed two-day CPRT training courses in the UK.
Website: www.play-fully.co.uk
Vistara Conway
"I am delighted to be part of Rocky Mountain Play Therapy Institute's ongoing creative and therapeutic endeavours! I am a play therapist at New Leaf Counselling in Barrhead, Alberta - working with children and youth as well as running a private practice in Edmonton and Maskwacis for the last ten years. I am an artist and enjoy bringing expressive arts into the therapy room with the young and the 'older'. I am also trained in SandPlay and find that the sand and figures are the perfect medium for both children and adults to explore their inner world…."
Tracy Harvey
"I have been working in the field of addiction and mental health since 2001, with a focus in my practice on the impacts of traumatic experiences. To more effectively meet individual needs, I embrace play therapy approaches along with sandtray, EMDR, narrative and somatic interventions.
I am constantly inspired by those I have the privilege to work with. For more information - check out my website: traumatherapy.solutions"
Amanda Balsillie
"Four Directions Holistic Counselling is a Private Mental Health Practice based in Spirit River, Alberta. Practicing healing with Indigenous Ways of Knowing and blending with Westernized modalities is a delicate balance to the healing of intergenerational trauma. I offer in-person and tele-therapy counselling sessions. I can facilitate, train, and educate others about Mental Health Awareness."
Sara Petterson
"I am delighted to join this play therapy Fairy Door Community! I am commencing the RMPTI Green stream this July 2022, and looking forward to this training opportunity and the journey that is about to begin."
Amanda Williams
"I am from Newfoundland, Canada, but living and practicing Counselling Therapy in Fort McMurray. I was working as an elementary classroom teacher when I developed an interest in child development and mental health! I have a passion for attachment theory and am interested in working closer with family systems.
As a mother first and foremost, I am always applying "new ways of knowing" to the journey of parenthood. I believe connection to be the most powerful agent of change; I feel privileged to be part of that process when working with children and youth."
Adriana Sorbo
"I live, work and play in Treaty 7 Territory of Southern Alberta. I have worked with children and families as a clinician and supervisor in several settings over the years and have been in private practice in Calgary/Mohkinstis for much of my career. I completed my play therapy training and supervision with RMPTI and now have the great privilege of guest teaching with the program. I am an adoptive mother and spouse and spend as much time as I can playing outside."
Elena Groen
"Hello! I am an early career psychologist working in both school and private practice settings. I work primarily with neurodivergent kids and adults. So far I have taken the green stream and look forward to continuing to learn and integrate play!"
Laurel Gould
"I am proud to say that I'm from Trinidad and Tobago! I use my skills as an Educational Psychologist and Therapeutic Play Practioner, in my job as a Guidance Officer with the Ministry of Education. As a wife and mother I am always striving to be my best self, so, I want to empower others to do the same. I'm excited to continue to train with RMPTI, and bring the magical, therapeutic powers of play to more persons in Trinidad and Tobago. Cheers to 25 years!"
Crystal McNaughton
"I am a psychologist that works with children and families. I have a passion working with my clients through play. I specialize in working with younger children and children with developmental disorders and/or delays. I hope to register as a play therapist in the near future!"
Michelle Smith
"I am a Registered Psychologist and Registered Play Therapist working in a private practice (Harmony Psychology) in Edmonton, Alberta. I work with school-aged children, providing counselling and conducting psychoeducational assessment. My background includes over 30 years in the school system as a teacher, school counsellor, consultant, and school psychologist. I have advanced play therapy training through RMPTI and am thrilled to be a part of the play therapy community...including the fairy door community!"
Stephanie Ka-Wei Ng
“I am a Registered Clinical Counsellor and Professional Art Therapist. I work with adults in private practice and use both art and play therapy with children and youth (aged 3-18) who have wit-nessed/experienced violence in a non-profit organisation. I am trained in the creative, non-verbal modalities of art therapy, play therapy and sandplay therapy enabling me to work with individuals across ages using images, metaphors, and symbols.
In my free time, I enjoy art-making, writing poetry, flower pressing and preserving, aerial yoga, house dance, connecting with friends, taking walks, be in nature or near the beach, exploring and travelling.”
Ashley Rietmann
"I'm currently a Registered Provisional Psychologist working with AHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health. I love incorporating creative interventions into my work with children and teens " 🙂
Stacey McLennan
Stacey is a mom to four great kids and has been a school social worker for over 10 years. She has a true passion for the arts which is infused into her practice and is a cornerstone for her both personally and professionally.
Karen Stagnitti
Karen Stagnitti is Emeritus Professor at the School of Health and Social Development at Deakin University, Waterfront Campus, Geelong, Australia. Karen has developed several play assessments (Child-Initiated Pretend Play Assessment 2 second edition; Pretend Play Enjoyment Developmental Checklist second edition; Animated Movie Test) and Learn to Play Therapy. Pretend play ability allows children to play in the metaphor. It is a powerful ability for any child.
Anna Charleston
I am a Registered Play Therapist providing Play Therapy to children aged 3-5 years at Summer Hill Children's Centre and to children aged 3 years onwards at the beautiful Ashfield School of Arts, both part of Bill Crews Charity for the homeless and disadvantaged. My previous experience includes Clinical Manager / Play Therapist for Be Centre, Sydney and many years working as a Play Therapist in primary and high schools in socially deprived parts of London. I absolutely love my job! Becoming a Play Therapist was one of the best decision of my life 🥰.