Oklahoma Association for Play Therapy

04/08/2026

Check out this great resource from APT!
https://www.a4pt.org/page/CredentialsInfo

Take control of your professional journey towards your RPT with APT's exclusive FREE Play Therapy Tracking Sheet! Visit a4pt.org to access this resource.

04/03/2026

One of the joys of our playful community is learning from one another and the meaningful tools we carry into our playrooms. OKAPT member Kelsie Krupitzer, LMFT, RPT™ shares one of her favorite therapeutic items and the powerful way she uses it in her work.

One of my favorite items in my playroom is my set of emotion characters from Inside Out. I use them in several ways. One way is to have them available in the playroom so that clients can access them during child-directed play. Another method involves building rapport with clients through a hide-and-seek game. I take turns with the client to hide the characters around my office, and when an emotion is found, the client is prompted to express that emotion or share a time when they experienced it.

This activity serves as an assessment to gauge the client’s understanding of emotions and provides an opportunity to practice emotion recognition while expanding their emotional vocabulary. It can also be adapted for use with caregivers to strengthen attachment and foster a sense of safety, as well as to help families become more comfortable identifying and expressing emotions with one another. I have both a plastic set and a plush set of emotion characters, but I believe this activity could be equally effective using pictures or popsicle sticks featuring the different emotions. Clients can also take them home if using these alternative materials, allowing families to continue practicing the activity outside of sessions.

04/02/2026

Today, we honor the unique strengths and voices of children on the spectrum. Through the power of play, we can create safe, supportive spaces where every child feels seen, understood, and valued.

04/01/2026

Kendra Smith, LMFT-S, RPT-S™
Registered Play Therapy-Supervisor
Community Youth Service
Ardmore, Oklahoma

What does being a play therapist mean to you?
Being a play therapist means bringing hope and healing through play. Play Therapy has been one of the most beneficial things I’ve done in my career.

What are your favorite play interventions?
I love using books and art directives to go along with them. The Invisible String by Katrice Parst and then having the family or child make their own invisible string is one of my favorites.

How do you stay playful?
Being outside in nature, reading, and traveling.

Thank you for being part of our play therapy community!

03/27/2026

A HUGE thank you to for such an informative and engaging presentation on "ADHD and Play Therapy." Thank you to all our participants.

For more information about Dr. Rottier, visit https://www.pawsforhealing.com/

Have a great weekend!

03/26/2026

A new year for OKAPT begins April 1—and we need YOU!

Looking for a fun way to connect, build leadership skills, and support play therapy across Oklahoma?
Consider serving on an OKAPT committee! Opportunities include:
🎉 Annual Conference
📚 Continuing Education
🗳 Elections
📣 Communications
🏆 Awards

Whether you have a little time or a lot, your voice and ideas matter. Join us in making it a fantastic year for OKAPT!

📧 Email okassociationforplaytherapy@gmail.com
with COMMITTEE in the subject line to get involved.

03/25/2026

Welcome new members!

03/23/2026

Last Chance to save your spot!

This workshop will explore practical, play therapy–based strategies for working with children with ADHD, including ways to support emotional regulation, attention, and social skills.

🎓 Earn 3 APT Non-Contact CEs
Qualifies for Oklahoma LPC, LMFT, and LCSW
👩‍🏫 Presenter: Mary Rottier, EdD, LPC, RPT-S™
Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™, and Certified Child Trauma Specialist with over 20 years of clinical experience.

Sign up now: https://oka4pt.com/lunch-learn-march-2026/

03/20/2026

A new year for OKAPT begins April 1—and we need YOU!

Looking for a fun way to connect, build leadership skills, and support play therapy across Oklahoma?

Consider serving on an OKAPT committee! Opportunities include:
🎉 Annual Conference
📚 Continuing Education
🗳 Elections
📣 Communications
🏆 Awards

Whether you have a little time or a lot, your voice and ideas matter. Join us in making it a fantastic year for OKAPT!

📧 Email okassociationforplaytherapy@gmail.com
with COMMITTEE in the subject line to get involved.

03/19/2026

There's still time to save your spot!

This intermediate-level workshop will explore practical, play therapy–based strategies for working with children with ADHD, including ways to support emotional regulation, attention, and social skills.

🎓 Earn 3 APT Non-Contact CEs
Qualifies for Oklahoma LPC, LMFT, and LCSW

👩‍🏫 Presenter: Mary Rottier, EdD, LPC, RPT-S™
Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™, and Certified Child Trauma Specialist with over 20 years of clinical experience.

Sign up: https://oka4pt.com/lunch-learn-march-2026/

03/18/2026

OKAPT is excited to announce our newly elected Board of Directors, serving April 1, 2026 – March 31, 2029! 🎉

Please join us in welcoming:
✨ Jennifer Bannister
✨ Lisa Morrell Dawson
✨ Jennifer Mathis-Colley
✨ Missy Riddles

We’re grateful for their commitment to strengthening and expanding play therapy across Oklahoma. We also extend our heartfelt thanks to outgoing board members KC Walker and Emma Short for their dedicated service.

Here’s to an exciting new chapter for OKAPT!

03/17/2026

Wishing our play therapy community a day filled with positivity, connection, and maybe a little extra luck! 🌈