Anna George-Trietley is a graduate of Liberty University with a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling. Anna's education and professional career have been focused on children and families with a specialization in infant mental health and trauma. She is also trained in
Theraplay - Level One and is certified as a Foundational Practitioner. In 2010 Anna completed a fellowship program to become specialized in infant and young mental health from ZFive in Mecklenburg County. Anna has trained other professionals, including law enforcement, social workers, and early childhood specialists on the effects of toxic stress on infants and children. Anna has worked as a Mental Health Clinician, then Clinical Supervisor for the Child Development-Community Policing Program. During her time there, she worked with children and families exposed to trauma and violence while partnering with uniformed law enforcement officers. Anna also spent her time training law enforcement officers on responding to children exposed to trauma. Anna believes in the importance of early intervention; not only for infants and young children, but intervening early after a trauma. She has seen first hand the positive impact of acute trauma care on the well-being of children and families. Anna has over eight years of supervisory experience and has supervised several associate licensed therapists to full licensure as well as supervision toward their Registered Play Therapist (RPT) credential. She was the co-founder of a successful group therapy practice prior to becoming an Adjunct Instructor in Behavioral Health Sciences at Grand Canyon University and launching a solo counseling, consulting and supervision practice. |
Mary Affee is a licensed Clinical Social worker, a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, and the Founder and Clinical Director of Horizon Integrated Wellness Group, PLLC. Mary is also an adjunct professor at Molloy College, where she teaches Play Therapy and Expressive Arts Therapy in the school’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. She is dedicated to providing outstanding service to others, she was among the many heroes who immediately fled to New York hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic to assist first responders by providing psychological first aid. Although she will never allow you to call her a hero, she feels that it was her opportunity to give back to the medical professionals who saved her daughter from cancer eight years ago. As the newly appointed President for the North Carolina Association for Play Therapy, Mary hopes to continue to create awareness for age-appropriate, culturally appropriate, and developmentally appropriate treatment for children, teens, families and communities. When she is not caring for her clients, she relishes time with her granddaughter, Adalina.
Website: https://horizonintegratedwellnessgroup.com/ |
Social Media
Courtney Clement Bowles, MAEd, LCMHCA, NCC Wilmington, NC courtneyclement.counseling@gmail.com |
Courtney Clement Bowles, MAEd, LCMHCA, NCC (she/hers) received a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and a Masters of Arts in Education in clinical mental health counseling from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. During her graduate program, Courtney also completed a play therapy certificate, where she received the education and training necessary to provide child-centered play therapy as well as child-parent relationship therapy groups. Prior to her counseling career, Courtney spent over ten years working with children and families in public and private schools to support the growth and development of children and family systems. Courtney is passionate about being a neurodivergent affirming therapist, providing a safe space for people to feel accepted, celebrated, and heard. Courtney currently works as an outpatient therapist in a group practice setting in Wilmington, NC. In her free time, Courtney enjoys spending time with her family, going for walks on the beach, tending to her garden, and cooking and baking for loved ones.
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Rebecca Blanchard graduated from UNCC’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program with a concentration in play therapy. She is currently a clinical mental health therapist at a private practice in Charlotte, NC where she sees children, teens, and adults. Rebecca is passionate about supporting the play therapy community across North Carolina. Rebecca works closely with the North Carolina Counseling Association, as well as the Association of Adult Development and Aging. She is passionate about supporting NCAPT membership and growth among the professional population and currently serves as membership chair.
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Martia Edwards is a LCMHCA and currently works at a private practice in Charlotte, NC. She has experience providing school based services, but particularly enjoys providing services to children ages 4-18. Martia enjoys spending time in nature, cooking, baking and hanging out with her husband and children.
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Jonathan Ricks received his PhD in Counseling and Counselor Education from North Carolina State University. He is the director of the School of Counseling and Play Therapy programs at UNC Pembroke. Dr. Ricks' research interests include social-emotional learning and development, school counselor preparation, and play therapy. He has presented at state and national conferences on these topics. He is a member of the American Counseling Association, the American School Counselor Association, the Chi Sigma Iota International Honor Society, the Association for Play Therapy, and Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling where he is currently serving as a board member for the NC chapter. Dr. Ricks is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), Registered Play Therapist (RPT) and holds licensure as a professional school counselor and Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC).
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Member at Large
Rebekah Byrd, Ph.D., LPC, (TN), LCMHC (NC), NCC, RPT-S, ACS NC |
Rebekah Byrd, Ph.D., LPC, (TN), LCMHC (NC), NCC, RPT-S, ACS (she/hers) is an Associate Professor of Counseling and Director of the Institute for Play Therapy and Expressive Arts Education and Research at Sacred Heart University. Dr. Byrd has been a counselor educator for over 13 years and has over 20 years of experience working in the mental health field in varying capacities and settings. Her research specialization falls primarily in issues pertaining to children/adolescent counseling, play therapy, LGBTGEQQIA+ advocacy, school counseling, social justice/multicultural concerns, self-injury, and women’s wellness. She recently co-authored a textbook on counseling children and adolescents. She serves on many national and statewide committees and was recently awarded the Counselor Educator Advocacy Award from the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling (ACAC).
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Secretary
Julia Krebs, M.A., LMHC, LCMHC, CASAC Cary, NC |
Julia Krebs is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) who received a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from the Gordon F. Derner School of Psychology at Adelphi University. Julia has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults, as well as structural family systems. Her clinical training and experience working on inpatient psychiatric units has provided her with the skillset to treat a variety of mental health diagnoses with compassion, support, and empathy. Julia holds certifications in both trauma informed care (CTRP-C) and substance abuse (CASAC). She has also been clinically trained in the curriculum development and practice of group therapy. Additionally, Julia is is actively working her certification to become a Registered Play Therapist. Julia strives to provide a safe and nurturing environment in which clients can be heard and supported. She is trained in psychodynamic therapy which focuses on developing insight and awareness into the mind, personality, and individual psyche. Julia employs an integrative therapeutic approach which utilizes various modalities including Psychodynamic Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Motivational Interviewing(MI), and Child-Centered Play Therapy. Julia is looking forward to serving on APT board and helping to deepen mission surrounding play therapy.
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