Past President - Annie Merriman, M.Ed., LMHC CMHS RPT

Hello, my name is Annie Merriman.   I graduated with a B.A. in psychology from Whitworth University and went on to receive a M.Ed. from Harvard University in prevention science and practice with emphasis on early childhood counseling. I currently live in the sunny Tri-Cities and am serving as a child and adolescent therapist through the WISe (Wraparound with Intensive Services) program. I enjoy working with children and families on trauma, anxiety, depression, relational difficulties, and issues related to poverty. Because I have seen the therapeutic power of play in the lives of my clients, I am passionate about educating professionals and the community about play therapy.

President Elect - Andrea Kunwald, MA, LMFT

 Andrea is a licensed marriage and family therapist, who graduated from Antioch University, Seattle in 2014. Her educational background includes a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Las Vegas, Nevada. Andrea started her journey as a therapist in community mental health and is now specializing in working with children (4-12) and their families while practicing in a group practice setting. Her passion for play therapy and its therapeutic powers was ignited by Virginia Axline’s (1964) book Dibs in Search of Self, which changed her view of doing therapy. Andrea is currently working on her certification as a registered play therapy therapist and considers her theoretical orientation as Client-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT) and Jungian Analytic Play Therapy (JAPT). Her commitment is to making play therapy more visible in Washington State and to offer more trainings as well as strengthening the existing play therapy community by bringing play therapists together for consultation and networking. (kunwalda@gmail.com)

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

Director of Social Media - Cary Hamilton, MA, MFT, LMHC, CMHS, RPT-S

I have been working with children since 1998 and specialize in the field of play therapy. I believe in investing time training and supporting the next generation of therapists. As owner and CEO of Olympia Therapy, LLC, I actively supervise new therapists and regularly present play therapy workshops to train both students and clinicians. My experiences in event planning and coordination, combined with proven business acumen will be an asset to the Washington state Association for Play Therapy. I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with fellow Board Members to propel the Association forward on a course of advancement and expansion. (caryh@olympiatherapy.com)

Membership Director - Jennifer Daffon, LMHC

Hi There! I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor working with children, adolescents, and families. I earned my Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University and I have multiple years of experience working with children and adolescents in community mental health, residential care, and juvenile court settings.  I especially enjoy working with young children and using sand tray therapy techniques.  Infant mental health and attachment are other areas of clinical interest.

Eastern Washington Networking Committee Chair - Nayeli Aranda, MSW

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. 

Western Washington Networking Committee Chair - Daisy Vergara, LMHC

Hello!,  I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and National Certified Counselor. I have a B.A. in Psychology and an M.S. in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. I have been working with children as long as I can remember. I used to be a preschool teacher while in Hawaii, where I consider it my home, and I have been working with children therapeutically since 2003. I started private practice in 2010. My passion is Early Childhood population and I do play therapy with children under the age of 9 years old. I really believe in the therapeutic power of play and I am invested in it. I love helping my clients through the power of play, as well as in educating others in the community about play therapy as an effective method of intervention, even for adults. It is an honor to be serving in the board for Washington Play Therapy Association. (daisy@daisyvergara.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.

Conference Chair - Kim Butler, MA, LPC, LMHC

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and a recent graduate of the Play Therapy Certificate program at Antioch University. I completed my BA (Psychology) and MA (School Counseling) at Adams State University in Colorado. I am a proud mother of 2 young boys and a Military Spouse of an active duty soldier. I have worked as a school based Military & family Life Counselor for the past 7 school years, which coincides well with my life. I believe wholeheartedly in the power of play and the impact it has on children. I look forward to being a part of the board and helping to educate others on the importance of play.