Consultation is an essential part of the competent use of the EMDR protocol with children and the integration of EMDR with other models of child therapy, such as play therapy. Consultation is offered only to graduates of EMDRIA approved Basic Trainings in EMDR. You must complete all basic training requirements including the 10 hours of case presentation/consultation that is under your basic training provider before approaching us for further case consultation.
Following EMDR basic training, many people go on to become certified in EMDR, a process of accumulating case experience, continuing education, and a minimum of 20 hours of case consultation under an Approved Consultant and or Consultant-in-Training. Half of the case consultation hours may be obtained in a group setting. Frequently asked questions about certification are best answered on EMDRIA’s website
Playful EMDR Consultants-in-Training
CITs are clinicians experienced in the use of EMDR in their area of practice who are in the process of becoming Approved Consultants. 15 of the 20 hours needed for EMDR certification can be provided by a CIT.
Playful EMDR-affiliated CITs are independent practitioners who are closely supported by Ann & Annie in offering consultation to other clinicians using the EMDR protocol, especially in work with children and adolescents. Most are also trained in play therapy. We are actively recruiting potential CITs who meet this description. Send CV and cover letter to playfulemdr@gmail.com.
Heather Stephenson, LCMHC, RPT-S is a licensed clinical mental health counselor and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor in private practice in Logan, Utah. She specializes in complex trauma and anxiety across the life span with most of her clientele ranging from college age down to about 3 years old. She loves combining EMDR with play therapy, parts work, and somatic interventions. She is a past president of the Utah Association for Play Therapy and currently serves as the treasurer of the organization. She is a certified EMDR therapist and an EMDRIA approved consultant in training (CIT) and provides group and individual consultation.
Email: HeatherS.CIT@gmail.com
Website: www.Heather-Stephenson.com
Cyndi Jordan, Ed.D., LPC-MHSP-S, RPT-S is a licensed professional counselor, senior psychological examiner, and a registered play therapist-supervisor in Memphis, TN. She enjoys working with children as young as infants through teenagers, as well as with families. She incorporates play therapy, sand tray and other modalities in addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, and attachment issues. Cyndi also does psychoeducational and psychological assessments of children and adults. She has experience working in schools as well as in the clinical setting. She is a supervisor for new counselors and those working to become registered play therapists. She is EMDR certified and an EMDRIA approved consultant in training (CIT), providing both individual and group supervision.
Email: cjordan@gtownbehavioral.com
Amy Earl, LCSW, RPT is a Licensed Clinical Social worker, Registered Play Therapist and EMDRIA approved Consultant in Training in Indianapolis, IN working with clients of all ages. She has specialized training in Infant/Toddler mental health and is able to provide therapy services in Spanish. Her areas of focus are complex trauma, attachment, dissociation, adoption, and parts work. She integrates modalities such as Internal Family Systems, Child-Centered Play Therapy, Theraplay, and directive play based models. Amy offers individual and group consultation.
Email: amy@
Website: www.high-
Liz Christie, RP, CPT-R is an EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist and an approved Consultant in Training. Liz works with all ages for EMDR, however, she specializes in helping children and teens heal from complex medical and attachment trauma. Liz incorporates a combination of Play Therapy, Attachment Therapy, Art-base Therapy, Story Telling and Parts work within her practice of EMDR. She is available for both group and individual consultation.
Website: www.playfulsolutions.ca
Julia Paulson, LCSW is an EMDRIA Certified Therapist and Consultant in Training in Private practice in Bemus Point, NY. She specializes in treating adults with complex trauma, attachment wounds and dissociation with a special interest in serving professionals using a hybrid model of telehealth and in person Intensive Trauma Focused Therapy. Julia integrates attachment work, ego state therapy and Polyvagal Theory along with laughter into her work. She is available for individual and group consultation and can be reached at juliapaulsontherapy.com.
Website: juliapaulsontherapy.com
Amber Gentry Lopez, MEd, LPC-S, RPT-S, CHST is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S), and a Certified Humanistic Sandtray Therapist (CHST). She owns her own private practice, New Path Counseling LLC, in Texas. She is EMDR certified and an EMDRIA Approved Consultant- in-Training. She specializes in using creative therapeutic strategies with children, adolescents, and adults. Her specialties include complex/developmental trauma, attachment disruptions, stress, anxiety, treating sexual abuse, foster/adoption, dissociation, parts work, and grief among other mental health concerns. Amber provides both traditional therapy and EMDR intensives. She is a Certified EMDR Child Specialist and is certified in GTep, CGTep, and GPep through Agate Institute. She has experience working in schools as well as in the clinical setting. Amber provides group and individual consultation virtually.
Email: amberlopezconsulting@gmail.com
Phone: (682)587-7353 (call or text)
Karli L. Coverdale, LMHC/LPC, RPT, BCBA is an outpatient play therapist located on Long Island, NY. Her specialties are complex trauma, infant mental health (0-3) and using innovative, creative and dynamic ways to elicit behavior change in the playroom.
Katharine Martin, LCPC is a licensed clinical professional counselor in private practice in Springfield, Illinois. She specializes in complex trauma and anxiety for all ages and assists First Responders in coping with work-related traumatic stress. She combines EMDR with play therapy, parts work, and polyvagal somatic interventions. She is the clinical coordinator for local volunteer Critical Incident Stress Management Team. She is a certified EMDR therapist and an EMDRIA-approved consultant in training (CIT), and she provides group and individual consultation.
Email: kathymartin.lcpc@gmail.com
Website: www.kmcounselingil.com
Michelle Lawrence, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice in Virginia. She is EMDR Certified, an EMDR Consultant-in-Training (CIT), and a Virginia Board of Counseling approved Clinical Supervisor for licensure. Michelle is in Phase III of becoming a Registered Play Therapist. She uses EMDR with various populations including children, adolescents, adults and families addressing complex trauma, attachment wounds, mood disorders, and other mental health concerns. Michelle has a passion for making healing fun.
Email: lawrence.michelle.r@gmail.com
Bambi Parks LCSW, SEP, RPT-S™ is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor with over 15 years of experience. Working in her own private practice, she specializes in treating all ages with trauma, anxiety, relationship, and attachment issues. Bambi has been trained in sand tray, CCPT, somatic experiencing, Theraplay principles, Circle of Security Parenting, EFIT, TF-CBT, Ego states, and art therapy techniques. She is an approved EMDR consultant in training and provides consultation both in person and virtually. Bambi offers a supportive environment for her consultees and believes that mistakes can be a catalyst for growth and learning.
Email: bambi@connectingpathwaystherapy.com
Website: www.connectingpathwaystherapy.com
Danielle Jenkins, LCSW-S is a licensed clinical social work supervisor in private practice in Houston, TX. She specializes in adolescents and adults struggling with complex trauma, attachment, depression, suicide, and self-harm. She is certified in EMDR and a EMDRIA approved EMDR Consultant in training. Danielle also is intensively trained in DBT. Her services include both individual and group consultation.
Dr. Jenay Garrett, LPC, CCTP, is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice in Virginia. Dr. Garrett specializes in treating adults and adolescents with trauma (i.e. PTSD, complex trauma, racial trauma), depression, and anxiety. She is Virginia Board of Counseling approved supervisor for licensure, EMDRIA certified, and an EMDRIA approved Consultant in Training. She provides supervision and consultation remotely.
Email: jenay@jgcounselingsrv.com
Website: P.E.A.C.E. Clinical Solutions
Camille Arth Boccio, LCSW is an EMDRIA Certified Therapist and Consultant in Training. She is part of a group practice in Buffalo, NY where she works with young children, teens, and adults. Camille most frequently works with individuals experiencing OCD, panic/ anxiety, dissociation, complex trauma, and attachment issues. Camille routinely utilizes EMDR and also integrates play therapy with EMDR. Additionally, Camille uses Theraplay and parts work. Camille provides individual consultation online and in person.
Email: camillearthboccio@gmail.com
Website: www.sanctuarycounselingwny.com
Miranda Stoll LIMHP, LADC is a therapist and Consultant in Training that works for Healing Hearts & Families, as well as Inner Reflections Counseling Center. Miranda has learned from and work with a diverse population that includes Veterans, survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking and their families, drug court participants, federal parolees, and many other youth and adult populations.
Email: miranda.stoll@healingheartsandfamilies.com
Website: innerreflectionscc.wixsite.com
Kari Sylvester, LCSW, MEd is an EMDR consultant-in-training, who specializes in working with children, adolescents, and college-age youth with learning disabilities and who may identify as neurodivergent. She founded a small group practice in Newport Beach, CA where she spends her time immersed in clinical work and clinical supervision. She also participates in research studies at UCI and UCLA and is concurrently pursuing AASECT Certification with an ultimate goal of focusing on neurodivergent adolescent and emerging adult sexual health, sexual trauma, and the intersection of social media and sex information on the developing brain. She is available for individual and group consultation.
Email: kari@coastalminds.org
Website: www.coastalminds.org
Jessica Crane (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Supervisor in the state of Nevada, an EMDR Certified Clinician, and an EMDR Consultant-In-Training. Jessica currently works in private practice in Reno, NV, offering EMDR and play therapy services to children and adults. Jessica has experience working in child welfare, and pediatric and adolescent residential treatment, and outpatient community mental health. She is trained in Adlerian play therapy, EMDR 2.0, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), Trauma-Grief Component Therapy for Adolescents (TGCTA), and Circle of Security Parenting (COSP). She offers individual, dyad, and group consultation.
Email: jessica@littlealmondnv.com
Website: littlealmondnv.com
Amy Cornwall, LMFT (she/her) is a Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist in private practice in Redondo Beach, CA. She is Guatemalan and Mexican American and is bilingual in Spanish who has worked with children (ages 2-12), teens, and adults. Her specialties include complex PTSD, depression, anxiety, domestic violence, foster/adoption, traumatic grief, sexual abuse, high-conflict divorces, immigrants, and Latin clients. She is an EMDR consultant-in-training and is working on completing her Registered Play Therapist (RPT). Amy is available for individual and group consultation in English and Spanish.
Email: info@bluechairft.com
Website: www.bluechairft.com
Paisley Burke, LCSW, RPT is a licensed clinical social worker, registered play therapist, and the assistant clinical director at Grandview Family Counseling in Bountiful, UT. Her specialties include working with complex trauma through EMDR, play therapy, parts work, and family systems. She enjoys about working with clients of all ages, especially children and teenagers. Paisley is passionate about training clinicians in the most current and ethical practices to improve their clinical skills.
Email: paisleyrosecu@gmail.com
Vanessa Simmons, LPC, SEP, RPT is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, and a Registered Play Therapist in private practice in Lancaster, PA. Vanessa frequently supports younger children, their parents, and adults with complex and developmental trauma histories and PTSD, providing EMDR and several types of expressive therapies, including sandtray therapy and play therapy, as well as Somatic Experiencing and Internal Family Systems. Vanessa is a certified EMDR therapist, an EMDR Sandtray Specialist through Agate Institute, and an EMDRIA approved Consultant-in-Training (CIT) and provides group and individual consultation. Scheduling: https://consultationwithvanessa.as.me/
Email: contact@meadowgrovecounseling.com
Website: meadowgrovecounseling.com
Tara Motzenbecker is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licensed School Psychologist, Registered Play Therapist, and EMDR Consultant in Training working with clients in private practice in Sarasota, Florida. She provides consultation both in person and virtually. Her specialties include trauma, OCD, anxiety, depression and first responders. She owns a practice that focuses on all ages from young children through adulthood.
Email: tara@banyanpsych.com
Loretta A. Player, LMHC, specializes in working with a diverse range of clients including children, adolescents and adults covering stress management, depression, trauma, adoption, Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, PTSD, relationship issues and grief/loss. Loretta is a Registered Play Therapist and integrates both EMDR and expressive arts in sessions.
Email: Loretta.player@outlook.com
Nakendra Kinard, LPC/S, LAC/S, LISW-CP/S, MAC, CS a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC/S), Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC), Licensed Addiction Counselor Supervisor (LAC/S), Licensed Independent Social Worker-Clinical Practice and Supervisor (LISW-CP) all in the state of SC, a Master Addictions Counselor (MAC) through NAADAC, and a Clinical Supervisor (CS) through APSC/IC &RC who resides in Columbia, SC. She enjoys working with children, adolescents, and individuals with substance misuse. She has experience in working in the field of substance use and mental health, with settings to include residential psychiatric treatment facilities, outpatient treatment settings, and school settings providing individual, group, and family therapy services. She is an EMDR certified therapist working towards becoming a consultant in training (CIT). She is also in the process of pursuing becoming a Registered Play Therapist with the Association for Play Therapy through obtaining the required training and supervision hours.
Email: NakendraK@gmail.com
Christina Greening, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice in Bountiful, UT.. She loves to work with children, adolescents, adults, as well as caregivers. Christina is specialized in using play therapy and EDMR to treat complex trauma. She uses somatic techniques, expressive arts, sand tray, and Parts Work to assist client’s in processing their various types of trauma. She is passionate about working with others to improve their quality of life by using a collaborative approach in their treatment. Christina is certified EMDR therapist and a EMDRIA approved EMDR Consultant in training and provides group and individual consultation.
Playful EMDR-affiliated Approved Consultants
Claudia Ocampo, LPC-S, RPT-S™ is an EMDRIA Certified Therapist and Approved Consultant. She owns her private practice, Evergreen Journey Counseling, located in Texas. Claudia integrates the EMDR protocol with tools from play therapy, sand therapy, IFS and attachment approaches. She provides individual and group consultation in person and virtually. Claudia is also fluent in Spanish and brings a multicultural/multilingual view to her consultation sessions.
Email: ocampo@
Website: www.
Mary McInerney, LCSW, RPT-S is a licensed clinical social worker and a registered play therapist supervisor in private practice in Orlando, FL. Her specialties include play therapy, sand tray, attachment, trauma, family systems, interpersonal neurobiology, parts work and child development to aid in a growing understanding of how best to treat children, teens, adults and families. She is certified EMDR therapist and a EMDRIA approved EMDR Consultant and provides group and individual consultation.
Email: marymcinerney74@yahoo.com
Website: Orlando counseling | Rose Petals Counseling and Play Therapy | United States
Jennie Wilson, LPC is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist – Supervisor (RPTS), and an EMDR Approved Consultant working with clients in private practice in Saint Charles, Missouri. She provides consultation both in person and virtually. Her specialties include complex trauma, developmental trauma, attachment disruptions, and anxiety. She is passionate about working with foster & adoptive youth & families.
Email: jennie.wilson@stepbystepcounselingllc.com
Website: www.StepByStepCounselingLLC.com
Danyale Weems, LCSW, RPT-S, owns a private group practice in rural Georgia where she specializes in treating children, adolescents, and adults with trauma and neurodevelopment disorders. She has over 18+ years of experience. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPTS), and is AutPlay Certified, nationally certified in Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) and certified in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). She is currently an Approved Consultant for EMDR. She has presented for the GA NASW, and GA LPCA.
BJ Nichols LCSW, SUDS (she/her), is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in private practice in Madison, WI. Her specialties include treating complex developmental trauma and dissociation across the lifespan as well as supporting persons struggling with substance use disorders. She is nationally certified in TF-CBT. She is an EMDR Approved Consultant and provides supervision in person and remotely.
Email: bjnicholslcsw@gmail.com
Website: https://bjnicholslcsw.wordpress.com/
Jennifer Powell, LISWS, RPTS, is an EMDR Approved Consultant practicing with all ages since 2008 and currently providing individual and group EMDR consultation. Her specialties include adoption, traumatic grief, dissociation, complex PTSD, sexual abuse, and gifted children.
Email: powellcounseling@outlook.com.
Website: powellcounseling.org
Melissa LaVigne, LCSW, RPT is an EMDR Approved Consultant who is also a Registered Play Therapist and yoga teacher. She has spent her career honing specialized skills in play therapy and trauma treatment, and she is passionate about sharing these tools with the world. Melissa is the author of Play Therapy Activities for Mindfulness (2022) and 101 Play Therapy Activities (2020). In addition, Melissa is a co-founder of Calm Bodies, Calm Minds, an organization that provides trauma-informed mindfulness training and curriculum for schools and is a faculty member, trainer and yoga teacher for Yogis in Service.
Erin Hassall, LMFT, RPT-S is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Play Therapy Supervisor (RPT-S) working in a school setting running the Spencerport Central School District Family Support Center and has a small private practice. Her specialties include child and adolescent mental health, attachment, complex trauma, and dissociation. She is a certified EMDR therapist and an EMDR Approved Consultant. She integrates EMDR with play therapy and is intensively trained in DBT and EFT. She received the Western NY’s EMDR Regional Network’s 2020 Outstanding Newly Trained EMDR Therapist Award. Erin is offering both group and individual consultation.
Email: ErinHassallLMFT@gmail.com
Heather Hale LCMHCS, RPT-S, is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor Supervisor, Register Play Therapist Supervisor, and EMDRIA approved consultant working in private practice in Cary, North Carolina. Her specialties include child and adolescent mental health and adults affected by childhood trauma. Heather is the author of Go With That, a children’s book for therapists to help introduce EMDR and Play Therapy to child clients and their caregivers. Heather provides consultation in-person and remotely.
Email: heather@heatherhaletherapy.com
Website: heatherhaletherapy.com
Renata Huewitt, LPC, LMHC, RPT is a Licensed Professional Counselor (VA), Licensed Mental Health Counselor (FL), and Registered Play Therapist (RPT) in a private practice located in Orlando, Fl serving clients in both Virginia and Florida. She is EMDR certified, an EMDRIA Approved Consultant, and a Virginia Board of Counseling approved Clinical Supervisor for licensure. She specializes in using creative play therapy strategies with children, adolescents, and adults when addressing complex trauma, anxiety, depression, attachment, and other mental health issues. She is also a SPACE (Supportive Parenting for Anxious Childhood Emotions) Provider, certified AutPlay Therapist, and certified in GTep, CGTep, GPep through Agate Institute. Renata provides group and individual consultation virtually.
Email: rhuewittlpc@gmail.com
Website: www.ivybridgecounseling.com
Christine Mark-Griffin, LCSW is a licensed clinical social worker, EMDRIA approved consultant and advanced trainer. As an EMDR consultant, Traumaplay & trauma-conscious yoga therapist, Christine is passionate about playfully combining her love of music, movement, fitness & yoga with clinical practice to help children learn, grow and heal. She is the owner of Spark All Wellness, a small group practice located in San Francisco, California specializing in EMDR and trauma therapy with women and children. Additionally, she is the author of the best selling and award winning book, “EMDR Workbook for Kids.” Christine is also the founder of EMDR for Kids where the mission is to empower therapists, parents, and children of all ages with resources, tools, and training to overcome trauma & adversities.
Email: info@emdrforkids.com
Website: https://www.
Anne-Marie Brown, LCSW, MSW, MCAP, CIP, ICADC, is an EMDRIA Certified Therapist and Approved Consultant. She specializes in treating childhood trauma utilizing EMDR and play therapy and works with children, adolescents, young adults, and families in the child welfare setting. She is available for individual and group consultation and can be reached at ambrown@southflcounseling.com.
Stephanie Beguin-Howard, LCSW, RPT is an EMDR Approved Consultant, who is also a Registered Play Therapist, Virginia Board of Social Work Supervisor, and intensively trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS), Sandtray, DBT, CBT, TF-CBT, MI, etc. Stephanie has 25+ years clinical experience in social work, including therapeutic foster care, public housing, and community mental health, and has managed clinical teams in Head Start, housing programs, and for a large school district substance abuse prevention program. Stephanie is the founder of Tranquil Mind Therapy, LLC, a group practice focusing on providing intensive trauma treatment to clients from ages 6+ to senior adults and is currently working on trauma research as a doctoral student. Stephanie provides both individual and group EMDR consultation each month to consultees across the country, with a specialty in integrating play therapy, IFS, polyvagal work, DBT, and ERP.
Email: info@tranquilmindtherapy.com
Website: www.tranquilmindtherapy.com
Ann Beckley-Forest, LCSW, RPT-S is an EMDRIA Approved Consultant and co-founder of Playful EMDR, with a private practice in Buffalo, NY. Her specialties are EMDR in the play therapy setting with young children, adoption, and medical trauma. She is also a play therapy approved training provider and an EMDR basic trainer. Ann is not currently accepting new individual consultees but has ongoing group consultation available at this link.
She is also actively mentoring individual CITs.
Annie Monaco, LCSW, RPT-S is an EMDRIA-Approved Consultant and EMDR Basic trainer and credit provider, as well as co-founder of Playful EMDR. Her specialties include juvenile offenders, foster care, and out-of-country adoptions as well as managing dissociation in children and teens. Annie will have EMDR group consultations starting in January 2022. Dates will be posted in November 2021. She recruits and mentors CIT’s and invites them to contact her at anniemonaco@icloud.com
Annie has upcoming group consultation dates specific to dissociation for those who have taken one of her dissociation trainings. More information is at this link.
Website: anniemonaco.com
