Dr. Erica Tatum-Sheade, LCSW

03/26/2026

Spring Break is over and we're back, with pennies to collect, groups to fill, and community to show up for. 🪙
https://conta.cc/482W2PR

Email from Dr. Erica Tatum-Sheade Spring Break's Over. Let's Get to Work. Support The Penny Pledge Spring Break is over, and we're back in full swing, including showing up for the organizations doing

03/25/2026

Arizona friends, I will be presenting two sessions at this summers Prevent Child Abuse Arizona Child Abuse Prevention Conference (one with Ryan M. Sheade, LCSW)

Registration will be opening soon and would love to see you there!

https://pcaaz.org/capconf/

03/21/2026

We are in the final push for our final round of G.E.M.S. Groups for the school year!

Our Rooted Groups start the week of March 30th

We have one remaining spot in the elementary group and room for three more in the middle school group (plus our scholarship spot is still available)

G.E.M.S. will be ending for the school year after this round but our boys group starts April and we two mini groups running over the summer as well. Hop over to the website to learn more! https://www.integratedmha.com/group-registration

03/18/2026

I’ve been sitting with this for a while and after a late night text I knew it was time to share this more broadly.

Who gets access to advanced training, mentorship, and leadership opportunities in play therapy…
and who doesn’t?

Because when that access is limited, it doesn’t just impact clinicians.
It impacts the children and families we serve.

Especially those from historically marginalized communities.

So I’m doing something small, but intentional.

I’m opening one Equity Pipeline Supervision Scholarship spot for an early-career clinician who identifies with or is committed to serving marginalized populations and wants to grow in play therapy with real support.

This isn’t about checking boxes.
It’s about expanding access.

I want more culturally grounded clinicians in the room.
And I’m willing to help build that pathway.

If this resonates comment link to get more information on how you can apply.

03/10/2026

I had an activity. They had a vision. This is what happened.

Each girl gets 6 chips. On each one, she writes something she sees in one of her group members, something real, something true.

Anonymous. No names attached to who wrote what. Just the message.

At the end, every girl walks away with a bag full of reflections from people who have only known her for 8 weeks. No history. No agenda. Just what they actually noticed.

That’s the power of a near-stranger’s mirror- it’s clean. They haven’t decided who you are yet. They’re just watching. And sometimes that’s exactly the reflection you need.

Yesterday was our final middle school session. Some of these girls are “graduating” out and will be moving on to the High School group. I’m reminded, like I always am at the end, that the group becomes something none of us could have built alone.

Turns out you really are all that, and a bag of chips. 💎

03/04/2026

Spring is here and it’s time to BLOOM.

Let’s connect!

I’ve got CE trainings dropping on topics I am deeply passionate about, three new groups launching, and honestly, a lot more in the works.

If you’ve been looking for a reason to show up, invest in your craft, or plug into something that actually feeds your clinical soul, this is your sign.

Click the link below so we can connect!

www.EricaTatumSheadeLCSW.com

03/02/2026

Confidence is not built in moments of applause.
It is cultivated in environments where girls are consistently seen, supported, and safe enough to grow into who they are becoming.

Read more: https://www.ericatatumsheadelcsw.com/post/the-final-curtain-call-confidence-clarity-and-the-environments-that-shape-our-girls

03/02/2026

Let’s gooo! It’s officially March! ✨
Social Work Month.
Women’s History Month.
Arizona Play Therapy Conference.
And best of all… my birthday month 🎂

Today was already so full, starting the morning with my High School G.E.M.S. girls and ending the day at an amazing dance competition. My cup is FULL.

March is giving growth, purpose, and celebration already.
What are you most looking forward to this month?

02/26/2026

Guess what?!? Registration is now open for our upcoming boys group at Integrated Mental Health Associates

Registration for our boys' group is now open!
https://www.integratedmha.com/event-details-registration/g-e-n-t-s-guys-empowered-navigating-tough-situations-4

02/24/2026

I have two spots available in the History of Play Therapy Training this weekend 💛!

https://www.aziapt.com/events

02/23/2026

“Why did you write this story?”

I heard this question more times than I can count today and honestly, I love it every single time. 🖤

The standard answer: I wanted to create a story that helps children understand what it looks like to go to therapy.

The real answer: I wanted to write for little kids like little me. Kids who needed to see themselves reflected in the pages. Kids who needed to know that therapists who look like them exist, right here, in their community. 💛

Today I had the honor of sharing both Layla Goes to Therapy AND Fernando Has Feelings and watching these babies hold those books? That’s everything. 🥹📚

A huge thank you to for having me as part of Black Child’s Book Week! This is exactly why I do this work.

02/12/2026

Play therapy week has come and gone, but the work continues.

Here’s a reality I didn’t share. I became a Registered Play Therapist and then a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor for selfish reasons. In the state of Arizona I only know two other Registered Play Therapists who look like me (please tell me I’m wrong and connect us 🙏🏾).

I started providing supervision to be able to increase those numbers.

I became an approved provider to ensure access to culturally responsive trainings, plus there were very few approved providers in Arizona offering regularly scheduled in person trainings that are a requirement for gaining your RPT status.

I believe in the power of play therapy.

I’ve provided trainings for several state branches, national and local conferences.

I served as president for our local branch for two terms and have served on the committee for Diversity Equity and Inclusion (often as committee of one) for years as well.

But that’s not enough,

I want to see more representation.

I want to see more state agencies actually training their staff to appropriately incorporate play therapy into their care of some of the most vulnerable in our state.

I want more play therapy education taught at the university level.

I want to see more trainers bringing their lived experiences into clinical training.

I want the narrative that “Arizona doesn’t produce play therapists” to be a falsehood.

But I’m one person standing on a soap box…

Let’s collaborate. Start here → https://linktr.ee/Ejsheade