Idaho Play Therapy


	About Us The Story of the Birth of the Idaho Play Therapy Association By Dr. Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson March 2008 Many may wonder today, "How did the Idaho Play Therapy Association begin?" Here is the story as I remember it. In the late 1990's, many Mental Health Practitioners, mostly from the western region, traveled to SLC, Utah to attend a two day training and educational program on Play Therapy. We were in awe, for the presenter was Dr. Garry Landreth. The auditorium was literally packed with hundreds of folks, folks who were hungry to learn more about Play Therapy. Many of us were from Idaho we discovered. At one point during the two days, Dr. Landreth put a call out to the audience, a challenge if you will, to start chapters in states where there was no state organization. I stood up and said, "Who is here from Idaho and would be interested in signing an interest and contact list" ...many hands immediately were raised without hesitation. I sent the sheet around, we had many takers, and the list was long. I traveled back to Idaho and got back to my busy Play Therapy Practice, and soon after, I was contacted by Barbara Robinson and others. Barbara asked if I still had the list, I did, a small group of us met. These early pioneers included myself, Sue Heng, Ann Patton, Ruby Walker, Barbara Robinson, Kathi Tomazin and Marlene Bubar. I became the national liaison contact, a necessity outlined in the bylaws of APT. It was great help, Dr. Lessie Perry and others guided us through the detailed and complex process. We had to create bylaws, get tax identification numbers and all sorts of details. This was all before email and the WWW. So much of this work was conducted via meetings, telephone and mail. Folks stepped forth to become the first President, Vice President, and other official roles. I became treasurer. We were all charter members, something I am proud of and still put on my resume. It was a lot of work, dedication and effort to get this going; a true labor of love. We were a tenacious bunch, tackled all hurdles and moved forward, proud of the mission we articulated... our charge was to organize and promote play therapy and offer training for practitioners in Idaho. It was a great time. I left Idaho in 1998 to become the Play Therapy educator at Sam Houston State University in Texas and have started a Play Clinic in Oregon and now am starting one at UNLV. It is so heart warming to know that the early work is being carried on in Idaho and that folks still promote and value the power of play. Hope this gives the group some insight. Much Care, Dr. Dale
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About Us

The Story of the Birth of the Idaho Play Therapy Association

By Dr. Dale-Elizabeth Pehrsson
March 2008

Many may wonder today, "How did the Idaho Play Therapy Association begin?" Here is the story as I remember it. In the late 1990's, many Mental Health Practitioners, mostly from the western region, traveled to SLC, Utah to attend a two day training and educational program on Play Therapy. We were in awe, for the presenter was Dr. Garry Landreth. The auditorium was literally packed with hundreds of folks, folks who were hungry to learn more about Play Therapy. Many of us were from Idaho we discovered.

At one point during the two days, Dr. Landreth put a call out to the audience, a challenge if you will, to start chapters in states where there was no state organization. I stood up and said, "Who is here from Idaho and would be interested in signing an interest and contact list" ...many hands immediately were raised without hesitation. I sent the sheet around, we had many takers, and the list was long.

I traveled back to Idaho and got back to my busy Play Therapy Practice, and soon after, I was contacted by Barbara Robinson and others. Barbara asked if I still had the list, I did, a small group of us met. These early pioneers included myself, Sue Heng, Ann Patton, Ruby Walker, Barbara Robinson, Kathi Tomazin and Marlene Bubar. I became the national liaison contact, a necessity outlined in the bylaws of APT. It was great help, Dr. Lessie Perry and others guided us through the detailed and complex process. We had to create bylaws, get tax identification numbers and all sorts of details. This was all before email and the WWW. So much of this work was conducted via meetings, telephone and mail. Folks stepped forth to become the first President, Vice President, and other official roles. I became treasurer. We were all charter members, something I am proud of and still put on my resume. It was a lot of work, dedication and effort to get this going; a true labor of love. We were a tenacious bunch, tackled all hurdles and moved forward, proud of the mission we articulated... our charge was to organize and promote play therapy and offer training for practitioners in Idaho. It was a great time. I left Idaho in 1998 to become the Play Therapy educator at Sam Houston State University in Texas and have started a Play Clinic in Oregon and now am starting one at UNLV. It is so heart warming to know that the early work is being carried on in Idaho and that folks still promote and value the power of play.

Hope this gives the group some insight.

Much Care,

Dr. Dale