Past President - Elizabeth Peixoto, MS, LMHC

Hi, my name is Elizabeth Peixoto. I live in my Seattle with my husband, two cats, and three chickens. I have a B.A. in Psychology from UC Davis and an M.S. in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy from California Lutheran University. I have been working with children therapeutically since 2006, and I have been working in my private practice since February 2014. I currently practice play therapy with children ages 3-17. I believe my passion for play therapy and play therapy trainings/seminars will help me both advocate and educate about play therapy to members of our community including students, families, therapists, and community mental health agencies.

President Elect - Jill Forsberg, LMFT

My name is Jill Forsberg MA LMFT. I graduated from Antioch University Seattle in 2005 and began my career in Community Mental Health. I began the transition from Community Mental Health to Private Practice in 2012 and have been full time Private Practice since 2015. I currently provide therapy for children, teens and adults. I am an AAMFT Approved Supervisor and provide Clinical Supervision in individual and group format. I've always valued play as an integral part of therapy and incorporated it into the work I do with children and teens. I attended Antioch University's Play Therapy Certificate Program with the intention of fully committing to Play Therapy as central to the work I do in my practice. I live in West Seattle with my two dogs, Sasha and Stuart Little. We are often seen at Westcrest Dog Park, Lincoln Park and Alki Beach Trail. I am originally from Phoenix, AZ and go back often to visit my four nephews. 

Secretary - Krissy Perry, M.Ed., LMHC, RPT-S

Krissy Perry is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor with a Master's in Education in Community Counseling from the University of Oklahoma. She has worked with children and families in a variety of settings over the past 8 years – nonprofit agencies, head start programs, for-profit agencies, and private practice. Krissy recently began Eastside Play Therapy, a private practice in north Bellevue. Her specialized training includes: Play Therapy, Trauma Play Therapy, Trust Based Relational Intervention®, Theraplay®, and Child Parent Relationship Therapy.  (kperrylmhc@gmail.com)

Treasurer - Denise Bower, MA

Membership Director - Rosie Newman, MA, LMHC, RPT-S

Rosie Newman, MA, LMHC, RPT-S is a child and family therapist and founder of Seattle Play Therapy, a small private practice in North Seattle. She received her Master of Arts degree in Existential and Phenomenological Psychology from Seattle University and subsequent training and experience in play therapy to earn her Registered Play Therapist - Supervisor credential. Rosie was board president of the Washington Association for Play Therapy in 2013 and propelled the branch forward to earn its first ever gold branch status. Rosie taught a graduate level play therapy course at Seattle University and has provided training in play therapy in a variety of settings. Rosie is also the Clinical Director for A Home Within (Seattle Chapter), as part of a national non-profit that facilitates pro bono psychotherapy for foster youth. Rosie is excited to be back on the WAAPT board to continue to help build awareness and advocacy                                             for the healing powers of play in WA state. (rosie@seattleplaytherapy.com)

Eastern Washington Networking Committee Chair - Michael Whitehead

Western Washington Networking Committee Chair - Priya Raghav, MSW, LICSW

A warm hello! I am a clinical social worker and recent founder of my play therapy practice 'Play It Out!' in Kirkland, WA. I graduated from the University of Washington in 2009 with my Master's in Social Work. Since then I have had the privilege of working in multiple agency settings focused on working with survivors of domestic violence, homelessness, poverty and other kinds of trauma. In my journey as a therapist, I was so fortunate to find the Association for Play Therapy, as it was instrumental to my growth as a practitioner of play therapy. And I am eager to give back! I look forward to my new role and to serving the play therapy community this year. Please say hello at priya@play-it-out.com. 

Eastern Washington Committee Chair - Kade Hodges, MSW

Hello! My name is Kade Hodges and I am a Masters level Social Worker, having graduated from Walla Walla University. Currently, I am working toward becoming a LICSW. I work as a Wraparound with Intensive Services therapist for youth in the Tri-Cities. In my role, I utilize play therapy to promote healing, empowerment, and to help clients gain more insight about themselves and their needs. Previously, I worked with children who had severe behavioral health challenges that prevented them from attending school. I have a clinical focus on youth who have anxiety, depression, are on the autism spectrum, or are in the LGBTQ+ community. In my free time, I volunteer for local Pride and Freethinkers organizations to advocate for equality and diversity.