Janet A. Courtney, PhD, LCSW is Founder of FirstPlay Therapy® [a developmental infant and child play therapy model] and Founder and Editor of FirstPlay® Café: An e-magazine for parents (womb to six Years). She helped found and oversees the Play Therapy curriculum at Barry University, Miami Shores, Florida. Dr. Courtney is author and co-editor of Touch in Child Counseling and Play Therapy: An Ethical and Clinical Guide. New York, NY: Routledge, and her research into practitioner experiences of training in touch and Developmental Play Therapy is published in the American Journal of Art Therapy and the International Journal of Play Therapy. She is a Registered Play Therapy-Supervisor, TEDx Speaker and immediate past Chair of the Association for Play Therapy Ethics and Practice Committee. She is also former President of the Florida Association for Play Therapy and Chair of the Viola Brody Award Committee. FirstPlay® Therapy was awarded Third Place overall in the Best Practices Showcase at the First 1000 Days Infant Mental Health Summit (Sept, 2018) along with the Children’s Healing Institute.

She has two books scheduled for publication Spring, 2020 including, “Infant Play Therapy: Foundations, Models, Programs and Practice,” as well as “Healing Child and Family Trauma Through Expressive and Play Therapies: Art, Nature, Storytelling, Body and Mindfulness.” She has been invited to speak nationally and internationally including the Cayman Islands, England, Ireland, Morocco, Bali, Indonesia, Russia and the Ukraine. She is a provider through the Florida state boards of mental health and Massage Therapy, and an approved provider through the Association for Play Therapy. She specializes in infant mental health and infant play therapy, attachment interventions, therapeutic storytelling, nature-based play therapies, and Trauma related issues. Dr. Courtney’s new form of Kinesthetic Storytelling® can be found in her children’s book, The Magic Rainbow. Website: www.FirstPlayTherapy.com and www.FirstPlaycafe.com

This experiential part of the conference does not render continuing education credits. This part of the conference is optional.

Dr. Porges, the esteemed creator of the polyvagal theory, will be delivering a captivating portion of the summit. His session is specifically tailored for child mental health therapists interested in the therapeutic use of play. With his deep understanding of the autonomic nervous system and its connection to social engagement, Dr. Porges will provide invaluable insights into how play therapy can promote emotional regulation and resilience in children. This interactive Q&A session that follows Dr. Porges' presentation, allowing registrants to directly engage with him, seek clarification, and gain clinical guidance. This unique opportunity promises to deepen participants' understanding of the polyvagal theory and inspire innovative approaches to play therapy, ultimately benefiting the well-being of children under their care.

Eliana Gil, Ph.D., RPT-S, ATR is a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, Registered Art Therapist and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist best known for her clinical work and research with children, teens and families impacted by trauma and abuse. She is the founder and senior clinical consultant of the Gil Institute for Trauma Recovery and Education. She has contributed many publications to the field of child and adolescent mental health in the realms of Play, Art and Family Therapy. She hosts a wonderful annual conference, Mid-Atlantic Play Therapy, where clinicians from around the world gather to learn and grow together.

Clair Mellenthin, LCSW, RPT-S is a sought after international speaker, author, and psychotherapist. Clair is the author of Attachment Centered Play Therapy, Play Therapy : Proven Strategies for Childhood Disorders, and My Many Colors of Me Workbook. In addition to being an experienced play therapist and presenter, she frequently appears on local and national media as an expert on children and family issues.

This experiential part of the conference does not render continuing education credits. This part of the conference is optional.

Jackie Flynn, EdS, LMHC-S, RPT-S, a leader in trauma therapy, is known for her expertise in integrating play therapy, EMDR, and Gottman Method Couples Therapy. She's an advanced trainer for EMDRIA and an approved credit provider for the Association for Play Therapy. Jackie hosts global events like the Innovative Child Therapy Symposium and co-hosts the Playful EMDR Summit and Neuroscience of Play Therapy Summit. Her engaging presentations on nervous system-informed therapy, based on Dr. Stephen Porges' Polyvagal Theory, teach therapists worldwide. She offers mentorship and supervision, empowering therapists to integrate EMDR and play therapy. Jackie fosters a global play therapy community dedicated to transformative healing.

David A. Crenshaw, Ph.D. is Clinical Director of the Children's Home of Poughkeepsie He is Past-President of the New York Association for Play Therapy, a Board Certified Clinical Psychologist; a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, Division of Child and Adolescent Psychology, and a Registered Play Therapy Supervisor. Dr. Crenshaw has taught graduate courses in play therapy at Columbia University and Johns Hopkins University. He was honored with the Excellence in Psychology Award in 2009, and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2012 by the Hudson Valley Psychological Association. In 2018, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the NY Association for Play and in 2021 was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the United States Association for Play Therapy, and other awards too numerous to mention. He is the author/editor/co-editor of 17 books, numerous book chapters, and journal articles on child aggression, play therapy and child trauma.
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"Carmen Jimenez-Pride is the founder, and Executive Director of Outspoken Counseling and Consulting. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, Certified EMDR Therapist, Internal Family Systems Therapist, Registered Yoga Teacher, Registered Children Yoga Teacher and a Certified Daring Way™ Facilitator. Carmen is also a LEGO® Serious Play® Facilitator.

Carmen is the developer of Diversity in Play Therapy Inc.; and creator/organizer of the 2020 Diversity in Play Therapy Summit. 

Carmen received her Bachelor of Social Work with a certificate in Child Protective Services from Benedict College. She was then accepted into the advanced standing program at the University of South Carolina earning a Master of Social Work with a focus on communities and organizations. Carmen’s passion is youth/ children, and she has dedicated herself not only to enriching the lives of children, but also providing the tools and curriculum for clinicians to ensure her goal to reach others has an even farther span in society. 
 
Carmen is experienced in clinical treatment of children, adolescents and adults with culturally diverse backgrounds addressing a wide range of concerns. Carmen’s career in the mental health field spans more than 15 years.

Carmen has extensive training in sandtray, play therapy, EMDR, Internal Family Systems and Adlerian Play Therapy. 
 
Her experience as a therapist, consultant, trainer, educator, coach and author encompass Carmen’s approach to practice, which is “Together We Will Grow”"

Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S, is an international teacher, 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 the author of Aggression in Play Therapy: A Neurobiological Approach for Integrating Intensity and is the 2015 recipient of the Association for Play Therapy’s Professional Education and Training Award of Excellence.

Dr. Grant specializes in working with children, adolescents, and families, including working with neurodivergent children (autism, ADHD, sensory differences, learning disorders, and developmental disabilities). He is the creator of AutPlay® Therapy, an integrative family play therapy framework designed to help address the mental health needs of neurodivergent children and adolescents. Dr. Grant is currently serving on the board of directors for the Association for Play Therapy. He is also a part time instructor in the Play Therapy Certificate program at Mid America Nazarene University (MNU).

Dora Henderson is a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT-S) and Licensed Mental Health Counselor Qualified Supervisor (LMHC-QS), specializing in integrating the power of play with EMDR and the integration of neuroscience with play therapy. She is also a TraumaPlay TM Supervisor and an EMDR Consultant-in-Training, and the co-host of the Neuroscience of Play Therapy Summit at the Beach.
Dora is passionate about helping individuals of all ages heal from traumatic experiences and move towards a happier, healthier life. She has training and certifications in various areas, to include Sand Tray Therapy, TraumaPlayTM, Theraplay®, MAP, and the Safe & Sound Protocol.
Dora is also the creator of beautiful puppets and books, to include Neuro & the Ception Force FriendsTM series and The Adventures of Sandi & Clammy series. Her trainings, consultations and supervision, and professional work integrates play, puppetry, and neuroscience in easy-to-use and family-friendly ways.

Dr. Peters is a psychologist, adjunct college professor and trauma specialist admired for her capacity to help people experience rapid and powerful transformation in therapy. She treats people for depression, anxiety, grief, sexual trauma, PTSD, relationship issues, heartbreak, and stress-related symptoms. She offers coaching for lifestyle issues, wellness, relationship enhancement and navigating life transitions. Her approach supports deep, lasting change for those in her care. She is certified in diverse therapeutic approaches including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Brainspotting, Brain-Based Hypnotherapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy as well as Mind-Body-Spirit practices such as Meditation and Trauma-Informed Yoga.

This experiential part of the conference does not render continuing education credits. This part of the conference is optional.