ALBERTA PLAY THERAPY ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2022 - 2023
Co-Chairs: Rhonda Kent and Denise Davies
Treasurer (interim): Travis Colley
Secretary: Crystal McNaughton
Newsletter: Larissa Wankel
Conference Coordinators: Belinda Mendes, Davina Reiner
Events: Karen Thomas, Dina Vella
Membership: Sarah Crosby
External Relations / e-Communications: Karla Eskerod
Social Media: Karen Thomas, Eden McCaffrey
Acting Board Members:
Allan Desjardins, Karla Lynn, Amarjit Chima, Kat Marina
Board Member at Large
Emilie Luc
Distant Board Member (Edmonton): Chantel Joevenazzo
Distant Board Member (Red Deer): Shannon Littke
Distant Board Member (Lethbridge): Cyndi Starzyk-Frey
Shannon Littke
Shannon works at Parkland Community Living and Supports Society with adults and children with developmental disabilities. She is embarking on a few educational journeys in hopes of practicing art therapy with this population. She's working on her certification as an art therapist through the Canadian International Institute of Art Therapy with the courses taking her to Thailand. In addition to this, she has been accepted to the Royal Roads University for her Masters of Leadership in Health Care which she will start in November. On the side and in her "spare time", Shannon still loves to continue developing her painting skills. She has a passion for colors, landscapes, and light. Shannon's goals for the future involve more international travel as her trips to Thailand, the Philippines and Nicaragua have bitten her with the travel bug. She intends to eventually combine her love of education, therapy, and the arts with this passion for travel.
Katrina Belliveau
Emilie Luc MC:AT, CCC, Registered Provisional Psychologist
Emilie is an Art Therapist and Registered Provisional Psychologist in private practice. She earned her Master of Counselling with a specialization in Art Therapy degree through Athabasca University in collaboration with the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute. She has experience working as a clinical counsellor for individuals affected by domestic violence and facilitating children’s, adolescent, women’s, men’s, and parenting groups. Her passion is using imagery and art to help people explore their potential and grow. She supports the APTA communications team and conference coordinators to bring relevant workshops and training to the area. Emilie loves trying out new recipes in the kitchen and enjoys hiking in the mountains.
Belinda Mendes
Karla Eskerod
Sarah Crosby
Eden McCaffrey
Karen Thomas
Allan Desjardins
Rhonda Kent, M.A. Counselling, R.S.W.
Rhonda has over 19 years experience working in the areas of domestic violence, suicide and grief and loss and is trained in EMDR and trauma work with children. The ChildTrauma Academy acknowledges that Rhonda Kent has completed NMT Training Certification through the Phase I level. For more information on NMT Training Certification and the NMT Assessment Process, click here. Rhonda has considerable experience in facilitating groups for men, women, teens and children who have been impacted by domestic violence. She has specialized in both individual and group work with children and teens who have witnessed or experienced family violence and uses both play and art therapy approaches. Rhonda developed and facilitated one day workshops for the Alberta Play Therapy Association (APTA) in 2004 and 2010 and presented at the International Violence and Trauma (IVAT) Conference in San Diego in 2011 and 2012. She was also part of a team who presented a 5 day Domestic Violence Conference in Varazdin, Croatia in 2005. Rhonda currently sees clients through Homewood Human Solutions and her own private practice – Regeneration Counselling and Consulting. In addition to volunteering for APTA, Rhonda is a volunteer for both the Calgary Fire Department and Calgary EMS on their Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Teams.
Larissa Wankel, M.S.W., R.S.W.
Larissa completed her BSW and MSW through the University of Calgary and has been practicing social work in Calgary for over fifteen years. Larissa works at Alberta Health Services in Women’s Health. Her previous work with the YWCA Sheriff King as a children’s counselor and children’s and parenting group facilitator has lead to a strong interest in play therapy. Following the birth of her son three years ago, Larissa left her work at the Sheriff King Home and a private practice to direct her energy toward being a mom. She continues to enjoy her role on the APTA board putting together the newsletters.
Cyndi Starzyk-Frey, M.Ed., R.S.W.
Cyndi is a Child and Family Therapist in Private Practice in Lethbridge. She also teaches part-time at the Lethbridge College. Her favorite classes to teach are The Sociology Of Sexuality and Child Psychopathology. Although Cyndi does work with some adults, her preferred clientele are children from 2 to 12 years of age. Cyndi’s area of specialty is trauma, including abuse, grief/loss and family violence. Play and other expressive arts’ therapies are Cyndi’s passion. She also serves as the Child Specialist for the Lethbridge Collaborative Divorce Group which is comprised of lawyers, financial specialists and mental health specialists. Cyndi was recently selected as one of the Lethbridge YWCA Women of Distinction 2014 recipients. She lives with her husband, a spirited and amazing 16 year old daughter, a dog and a cat who are frenemies. In her spare time she tries to meditate as much as possible and explore retreats and training in Mindfulness. Exploring the world and the great outdoors as well as spending time with friends and family are her self-care strategies.
Dina Vella