About the Authors

Rachel A. Altvater, PsyD, RPT-ST, is an award-winning, pioneering expert, leader, researcher, international trainer, author, and supervisor in the field of play therapy. She is a licensed psychologist in Maryland, Washington, DC, and Virginia, and she holds national certifications as a Registered Play Therapist-SupervisorT and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. She is the owner of Creative Psychological Health Services, co-owner of North Star Creations, past president of the Maryland/DC Association for Play Therapy, editorial advisory board member for the International Journal of Play Therapy®, and clinical consultant for Hopscotch. Dr. Altvater authored the book Perspective: Contemplating the Complexities of Our Realities, published her research in the International Journal of Play Therapy on technology use in play therapy, and is a contributing author in numerous scholarly texts.

Liliana Baylon, LMFT-S, RPT-S, is a bilingual and bicultural therapist fluent in Spanish and English. She holds a master's degree in counseling and marriage, family, and child therapy, and an MBA from the University of Phoenix. Specializing in treating trauma and multicultural issues in children and families, Liliana employs various therapeutic modalities, drawing on her expertise as a trained educator. Her therapy and supervision are enriched by her unique cultural perspective, fostering curiosity and inspiration. Passionate about professional development, Liliana offers workshops in mental health and cultural opportunities for diverse mental health and educational professionals, available in both English and Spanish.

Steven L. Bistricky, PhD, serves as the Associate Director of Clinical Training for clinical psychology programs at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, directing the PhD trauma program and MA program. He is also an affiliate of the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience. His research, teaching, and clinical supervision focus on adversity, trauma, adaptation, health, and growth with mindfulness and acceptance frameworks, concepts, and practices. His collaborative research, which often focuses on people's responses to disasters and interpersonal violence, has been published in leading academic journals.

Isabella Cassina is the Director of Project Management at the International Academy for Play Therapy (INA) based in Switzerland, Editor of APTI's Play Therapy Magazine, and Founding Member of the International Consortium of Play Therapy Associations. She is a social worker, registered therapeutic play specialist, PhD candidate in expressive arts therapy. Isabella is an author and expert in international cooperation and project development with over 10 years of international field experience in contexts of crisis and high vulnerability.

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.

Jennifer Nelson Faulconer is a nationally certified school psychologist with an Educational Specialist degree. Jen has over 15 years of experience working in schools. She focused on ameliorating the negative impacts of exposure to trauma or chronic stress, system-wide changes toward compassionate and effective discipline practices, positive behavior supports, and integrated service delivery. As students from racial/minority and low socioeconomic backgrounds often experience trauma disproportionately, Jen believes that trauma-informed care in schools is also a social justice issue. As a Colorado native, she enjoys spending active time outdoors with her family and dog.

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 is 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.

Theresa Fraser wears many hats. She has been a treatment foster parent for 30 years, an adoptive parent, a trauma specialist, an author, and is a Play Therapy Supervisor. She is the owner of Maritime Play Therapy Centre in Nova Scotia/Canada and Changing Steps Child and Family Counselling in Ontario and PEI Canada. She was the 2009 winner of the North American Trauma Award - Clinician of the Year, with the National Institute for Trauma and Loss . She was appreciative of having the opportunity to contribute to this valuable trauma resource with her beloved colleague Paris Goodyear Brown.

Patricia Carolyn Gilbaugh is a licensed independent social worker, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, certified mental health and nutrition specialist, and certified autism specialist at her private non-profit practice, Grace C Mae Advocate Center, located in Iowa. Patricia completed her doctorate and master's degrees in social work at the University of Iowa. Patricia specializes in working with medically complex and neurodivergent individuals and works with individuals of all ages. She also specializes in treating veterans with PTSD and providing family therapy for those with complex trauma. She has recently completed her certification in using food as medication for treating mental health conditions.

Paris Goodyear-Brown, MSSW, LCSW, RPT-S, and Approved EMDR Consultant, is the creator of TraumaPlayT, the Executive Director of the TraumaPlay Institute, the Clinical Director of Nurture House, and an Adjunct Instructor of Psychiatric Mental Health at Vanderbilt University. She is a Ted Talk speaker, a master clinician, and an internationally renowned presenter. She is a thought leader in the fields of child trauma and play therapy globally, received the APT award for Play Therapy Promotion and Education, served as the Executive Director of the Lipscomb Play Therapy and Expressive Arts Center., serves on the board of TNAPT, and has authored over twenty chapters and twelve books, including Trauma and Play Therapy, Parents as Partners in Child Therapy, and Big Behaviors in Small Containers.

Robert Jason Grant, EdD, RPT-S, is the creator of AutPlay® Therapy. He is a therapist, supervisor, and consultant and utilizes several years of advanced training and his own lived neurodivergent experience to provide affirming services to children and their families. He is an international trainer and keynote presenter and multi-published author of several articles and books. He is currently serving on the board of directors for the Association for Play Therapy.

Fiona Hill, LPC, is a licensed professional counselor-supervisor in Missouri and holds a national credential as a Registered Play TherapistT. She has extensive experience providing clinical services in nonprofit, government agency, and private practice settings. She is the owner of Lighthouse Play Therapy and Consulting Services, offering specialized therapeutic services in the areas of childhood trauma and attachment disruption, as well as supporting families impacted by varying developmental needs within the family system.

Johnnie L. Jenkins, III, PhD, is a licensed professional counselor, registered play therapist supervisor, and certified professional clinical supervisor. He taught at Argosy University. Dr. Jenkins was a counselor at the Morehouse School of Medicine. Dr. Jenkins's practice, the Jenkins Center, uses CBT and play therapy to treat families. Dr. Jenkins lectures on play therapy and legislative advocacy. Dr. Jenkins conducts training for the National Counselor Examination. He holds membership in several associations. His degrees include a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Mercer University, a Master of Arts Degree in Psychology from the Georgia School of Professional Psychology, and a Master of Philosophy and PhD in Public Policy from Walden University.

Zara Kenigsberg is a clinical psychology doctoral student with a focus on trauma psychology at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS). Zara received her BA in psychology, with a minor in biology, from Vanderbilt University. She now serves as the lab coordinator for the Cognition, Emotion, and Well-Being lab under the direction of Steven Bistricky, PhD. Her research focuses on the cognitive and emotional processes surrounding trauma disclosure, and she hopes to develop educational resources for the public about supporting trauma survivors.

Betty S. Lai is an associate professor at Boston College. Lai's research focuses on the impacts of the climate crisis and disasters on children. Her work has examined children's mental and physical health following large-scale disasters. Her...