SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE
The Academy's Scientific Committee (hereafter in alphabetical order) is composed of 10 professionals from 5 Countries specialized in one or more areas such as developmental psychology and psychotherapy, research, play therapy, expressive arts therapy, and trauma-informed crisis interventions.
Jeff Ashby
PhD, ABPP, RPT-S™
University professor, Expert in Ethics. Director of Georgia State’s Counseling Psychology Doctoral Program, USA. Co-Director of the Ken Matheny Center for the Study of Stress, Trauma, and Resilience.
Sue Bratton
PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S™
Professor Emerita at the University of North Texas. Director of UNT Center for Play Therapy and Past-President of the Association for Play Therapy (APT). She has over 20 years of experience as a researcher and clinician.
Isabella Cassina
MA, TPS, CAGS, PhD Cand.
Expert in International Cooperation and the application of expressive therapies in crisis work. Director of Project Management at the International Academy for Play Therapy, Switzerland. Editor of the APTI Play Therapy magazine.
Athena Drewes
PsyD, RPT-S™
Founder and President Emeritus of the New York Association for Play Therapy. Distinguished author, she co-edited with Dr Charles Schaefer the book 'The Therapeutic Powers of Play. 20 Core Agents Of Change'.
Simonetta Gentile
Psychologist & Psychotherapist
University professor, Expert in Developmental Psychology and Psychotherapy in paediatric hospitals. Director of the Master's in Paediatric Psychology at the Humanitas University Consortium, Italy.
Steven Harvey
PhD, RPT-S™, BC-DMT, RDT
Adjunct Faculty Member in the Clinical Psychology Department at the University of Guam. He has lead workshops in Family Play Therapy internationally for the last 30 years. Founder of Dynamic Play Therapy.
Linda Homeyer
PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S™
Professor Emerita from Texas State University. She received the APT Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013. Editor of the World Journal for Sand Therapy Practice®. Founding Member of the International Consortium of Play Therapy Associations (IC-PTA).
Claudio Mochi
MA, RP, RPT-S™
Expert in Emergency Interventions and Trauma with over 20 years of international field experience in Disaster Mental Health. Founder and President of the APT Italy. Training Director of the International Academy for Play Therapy, Switzerland.
Evangeline Munns
PhD, C.Psych, RPT-S™
Certified trainer and supervisor with the Theraplay® Institute in Chicago. She has over 40 years of experience working with children and their families. She received the Monica Herbert Award from the Canadian APT.
Karen Stagnitti
PhD, BOccThy, GCHE
Professor Emerita at Deakin University, Australia. She has over 40 years of experience in clinical practice with children and families, research, and teaching. She has over 140 publications. Founder of Learn to Play Therapy.