The Association for Play Therapy MD/DC Branch
About The Association for Play Therapy MD/DC Branch
Check out the National Association for Play Therapy here - https://www.a4pt.org/default.aspx
The MD/DC APT Branch has been in existence since 1994, connecting new and established play therapists from a wide array of mental health disciplines with high-quality training and a community of practitioners and researchers dedicated to improving the lives of children and their families through play therapy.
The Association for Play Therapy MD/DC Branch is comprised of the wonderful members and the following Directors and Officers:
Interested in learning more or joining the board?
Immediate Past President
Rachel Altvater, Psy.D., RPT-S is the owner of Creative Psychological Health Services, a psychologist at Gil Institute for Trauma Recovery and Education, an affiliate faculty member at Loyola University Maryland, and the Continuing Education Director of Starbright Training Institute. She is the recipient of the 2019 Emerging Leader Service Award from the Association for Play Therapy and the 2018 Outstanding Play Therapy Research Award from the Maryland/DC Association for Play Therapy. Rachel is passionate about spreading awareness and knowledge about play therapy.
Newsletter Editor
Sarah Jordan, LCPC, RPT is a senior counselor at The Care Clinic at the University of Maryland Baltimore, a grant-funded outpatient clinic which works with children and families affected by child abuse, domestic violence, or sex trafficking. In addition to providing individual and family therapy, Sarah also supervises graduate-level interns, provides trainings on child maltreatment and related topics to medical students and residents as well as other professionals, and participates in the Maryland Human Trafficking Clinician Collaborative. As well as being a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) and registered play therapist (RPT), Sarah is certified in the Instinctual Trauma Response (ITR) model and is also trained extensively in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Sarah is passionate about using play and other empirically-supported interventions to help clients - from preschoolers to grandparents - heal from trauma.
Treasurer
Lora Wolz, LCSW-C, RP started her journey towards becoming a RPT in 2014. Lora attended her first APT Conference in 2015 in Atlanta, GA allowing her the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge in various play therapy modalities. Lora thrives off of opportunities that allow her to expand her knowledge in helping children, implementing new play therapy techniques, and watching her patients grow and heal through the art of play. Lora received her Masters in Social Work at Salisbury University in 2013 and is currently working as a child and adolescent psychotherapist in Baltimore County.
Secretary
Julianne Meagher, LCSW-C, RPT, was first introduced to play therapy at College Park Youth and Family Services. She completed her masters degree in social work at the Catholic University of America in 2008 and has since practiced play therapy in the therapeutic foster care and outpatient mental health settings. She previously worked as a clinic and school-based therapist, as well as a clinical supervisor in a public outpatient clinic in Dundalk. She currently works in a public mental health clinic in Anne Arundel County.
Website Manager
Jenny Fleming, NCC, RPT-S, LCPC, is a Professional School Counselor in Montgomery County Public Schools and works at a private practice in Bethesda, MD. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a school counseling masters and post masters in play therapy. Furthering the profession through supervision in Play Therapy and Counseling Licensure is another interest area. Jenny is passionate about multiple modalities of expression and Advanced Sand Tray trained. Jenny is enthusiastic about her craft as a means to support children and always motivated to learn more.
Student Board Member
Victoria Rizzuto, MS, is a Clinical Psychology doctoral student at Loyola University Maryland. Her clinical interests include the preschool population, child-centered play therapy, trauma-informed care, technology’s impact on child development, and working with underserved populations. Victoria is eager to support the branch in spreading awareness about play therapy, aiding in planning community outreach events for undergraduate and graduate students, and growing personally and professionally.
President
Quinn Smelser, Ph.D, NCC, LPC, RPT-S completed her doctorate in Counseling and Human Development at The George Washington University and is a licensed professional counselor with specialized play therapy and trauma training. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and her Master’s Degree in Counseling from Texas State University. Clinically, Quinn’s primary background consists of work in grief and loss and trauma treatment for children and adolescents. She has worked in residential treatment, with military families, with at-risk youth in rural Texas, and with youth and families who were experiencing traumatic grief and loss as well as clients in hospice care. She has had the honor of being supervised by Dr. Eliana Gil, Dr. Linda Homeyer, Dr. Mary Morrison-Bennett, and Dr. Elizabeth Kjellstrand-Hartwig. She is a Lecturer at The George Washington University in addition to owning a private practice in Bethesda, MD
THANK YOU
A HUGE thank you to all of incredibly kind organizations that have donated to us in the past. Check out their great offerings and consider supporting them with your business!
Eastern Shore Rep
Latrice Gray is the founder of Creative Space Child Therapy, LLC. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist, and certified Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist, she has been a strong advocate for young children in her community. In her role in the area of early childhood mental health, Latrice collaborates with universities in training students, teachers, and social work interns on mental wellness for young children (ages birth-5). Latrice is a wife, and mother of four children. She enjoys cake decorating, dancing, and painting in her free time.
Membership Advocacy
Kimberly Ward, LCSW-C, LICSW, LCSW, RPT is working as a School Based Mental Health Clinician at DC Department of Behavioral Health and is also the Owner/Therapist at her own private practice, KimCares Wellness Services, LLC. Ms. Ward graduated with a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore in 2005. She is also is a Maryland Social Work Board Approved Supervisor, Registered Play Therapist (RPT), and Certified Reiki Master. Currently, Ms. Ward is working towards certification in EMDR, Brainspotting, and TF-CBT. In 2020, Ms. Ward completed and graduated from the Association for Play Therapy Leadership Academy. In her work, she incorporates mindfulness and is dedicated and committed to working with individuals of all ages and various backgrounds. During her spare time, she engages in self-care by reading books, watching movies and TV shows, going to comedy shows and concerts, traveling, engaging in art activities, connecting with friends, and spending time with her niece.
Questions or concerns?
Training Proposal:
Interested in providing a training for the branch?Complete and submit the proposal form.
Training Cancellation:
For 100% refund (minus a $5 administrative fee), written cancellation must be received at least 14 days prior to the training. Otherwise, a credit for equal or lesser value will be given for a future training (within one year of the initial training). If you do not notify a board member prior to the training of your intent to cancel, you will not receive a refund or credit.
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Training Coordinator
Sabra Starnes is an Independent Clinical Social Worker, Clinical Supervisor, and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor who has been practicing for 23 years in the DMV area. She is the founder and Owner of Next Place Therapy Services, LLC, a private practice in Largo, Maryland. She works with children ages 3-16 years old and their families using Play and Expressive Therapies. Sabra has extensive training and certifications in adoption and attachment, EMDR, Sandtray, Trusted Behavioral Relation Intervention, Daring Way, Kinesthetic Storytelling, and Trauma. She is a local, national, and international Speaker and Trainer on Adoption and Foster Care from a personal and professional perspective. Sabra provides engaging and fun play and sand tray workshops both in-person and online play therapy training for mental health clinicians. Her website is sabrastarnes.com.
