Mining for Play Therapy Gold (the pics version)

What have I been doing lately?

Mining for play therapy gold in Sacramento

theme for 2011 APT conference
(iphone photo by me)

at the 2011 APT conference

photo by ?

I presented on Creativity for Play Therapists.

that's me standing
(iphone photo by Tammi Van Hollander)

I went to several meetings.

Conference Program Committee with Tami Langen & Kathy Lebby
(surprise photo by Mistie Barnes)

I went to play therapy trainings including those by Terry Kottman, Jeff Ashby, David Crenshaw, Athena Drewes, Eric Green, LeAnne Steen, and Hilda Glazer.

Eric Green & David Crenshaw
(photo by ?)

Most of all, I networked, ate, and drank with play therapy friends, new and old.

me with Angela Cavett & Liana Lowenstein
(photo by ?)

MY FAVORITE PHOTO FROM THE CONFERENCE
me, Cherie Spehar, Lori Myers, Anne Stewart, David,
Angela, Ana Tillman, Tammi Van Hollander
with the APT dude
(taken by ?)

David Crenshaw started a private play therapy group on Facebook.

We met for a big toast (thank you Liana).  I love that he is laughing in this pic.

Stay tuned.  I plan to share my reflections on the conference in an upcoming post.

Scenes from a Play Therapy Conference 2

Day 2 of the 3rd annual Appalachian Play Therapy Center conference with Dr. Terry Kottman. 

Topic: Preventing Play Therapy Burnout: Techniques for Self-Understanding and Self-Nurturing 

Such an important topic--really for anyone but especially for therapists who are biggers big givers to begin with.

We experienced much large and small group work, sharing and learning from one another.

We played games.  A fun way to experience some significant learnings.

I loved seeing the smiles on everyone's faces.  Adults, in general, don't play enough.  And, play therapists can get very busy and forget to practice what we already believe very deeply.  We must strive to ensure our values are aligned with our behavior in order to prevent burnout.

One of my favorite scenes of the day was this one.

This young woman danced her way down the line.  She seemed so free, so happy, so bad-ass (pardon the language but it really fits here). 

You don't have to be a play therapist or go to a conference to experience such a moment.
My hope for you is that you give yourself permission to play freely in whatever way you prefer.

THE 100th Post (devoted to a special artist in my life)

Cori's palette from the play therapy conference

It's only fitting that I devote my 100th blogpost to my sister--someone who has been a big influence on my playful, creative life.  She is one of the most creative and talented people I know.  Here's her bio:

Cori Berg is the founder of Sacred Arts Studio and specializes in art for hope and healing. After receiving her Master's Degree in Art and Theology and continuing her studies at the Graduate Theological Union of University of California at Berkeley, she turned to the field of education where she worked as an early childhood teacher, elementary art teacher and early childhood director. Cori now works with organizations in the Dallas, TX area, providing live interactive art experiences for children and adults to explore creativity and life process themes. As a painter, fiber artist, and writer, her work can be followed here.

When she came to visit me in KY in August 2009, she created this lovely piece as a gift for me.  It looks very cool in my dining room against a wall painted soft rabbit brown that looks purple in the evening.  (She very well knows that purple is my favorite color.)

I invited her to be an exhibitor at the recent play therapy conference which was especially good since the bookseller didn't come.  I'm very pleased that she had such a wonderful response to her work.  Here are photos of her display.

While Terry Kottman spoke on the first day, Cori painted.  She told me that the colors reminded her of Terry, and I agree.

Here's the finished product which she allowed me to use as a giveaway.

Here's what she said about it: life can be chaotic at times but by connecting to another person you can build webs of safety that allow you to see beauty in the world.

Somone commissioned this sweet little piece which she finished at the conference as well.

 ~~~Hope her artwork brings some joy into your life as it does in mine.~~~

Scenes from a Play Therapy Conference

The third annual Appalachian Play Therapy Center conference was June 8 and 9 on the main (Columbia) campus of Lindsey Wilson College.  I am taking a much needed rest but wanted to share some scenes from the conference.

Dr. Terry Kottman, founder of Adlerian play therapy (and a fellow graduate of the University of North Texas) was the speaker for the full two day event.  I just love this woman.

photo by Travis Smith

When I picked her up at the airport she had a huge suitcase full of toys.


Play therapists do introductions using toys,

and we play, learn, and practice our craft with toys.


Puppets seem to be a favorite with adults I've noticed.
(I think that could be a blogpost in and of itself.)


I love that play therapists aren't afraid to decorate their nametags.


More to come!

Happy weekend everybody!