Mikal Larsen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Connecticut, and a Registered Play Therapist™. She is the owner of Hopeful Hearts Counseling LLC in Suffield and a crisis social worker at a Windsor Locks high school. Mikal has been working with children, adolescents and their families for about 14 years. She graduated with her MSW from Fordham University and with her BSW from Saint Joseph College (now University of Saint Joseph). She is a professional Uno player and incorporates play into every day. Mikal loves to travel, meet new people and spend time with her family, friends and children. 

MA Liaison 

Chelsea Welch is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in the state of Massachusetts, dedicated to supporting the mental well-being of children in the Greater Boston and surrounding areas. As the owner of Newton Play Therapy LLC, Chelsea leads a small group practice that provides therapeutic services tailored to the unique needs of children. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development and Family Studies from the University of Rhode Island and a Master of Social Work degree from Simmons College. For the last 16 years she has been providing therapy services to children and families, 10 of which have been in private practice. With her career beginning in wrap-around services, Chelsea is passionate about advocating for children’s developmental needs as well as access to care. When she is not espousing the importance of play therapy to everyone and anyone who will listen, she can be found with her husband chasing after their two young children.

ME Liaison 

Pamela Schubert is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and has been working with children and families for over 20 years.  In addition to her clinical license, she is a Register Play Therapist-Supervisor ™ and Certified in EMDR. She obtained her Master of Education in Counseling Psychology from University of Houston in 1994. Pam has worked in a variety of clinical settings; she was a clinician at The Children’s Assessment Center and provided treatment to children and adults who were victims of sexual abuse, she was a mental health consultant for Head Start for 12 years providing early childhood expertise to teachers, administrators and parents.  In addition, she has spent 14 years training and supervising metal health professionals in Play Therapy.  Currently Pam works at her private practice, Ocean Street Counseling, in South Portland, Maine.

NH Liaison 

Holly graduated from the Copenhagen International School for high school, Dartmouth College for her undergraduate degree, and Plymouth State University for her Master's degree in Education. She is licensed as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor in NH and she is a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™. She has been in private practice for over 10 years and loves it! She has attended every NEAPT Annual Conference since 2009. Her favorite play therapy book is the classic Dibs in Search of Self by Virginia Axline. Holly grew up in Denmark, sings in a choir, and time-lapses the sunset most every day. Her original career aspirations: a ballerina or a cat dentist.

RI Liaison 

Tami Ward has been working with children and families in the private sector for more than 20 years. Her professional career began as a behavioral teacher assistant in 2015 at The Providence Center School and was promoted to Behavior Specialist at The Providence Center School upon earning her MA.CMHC in 2021. She will be starting a new job at NAFI doing EOS (extensive outpatient services) for families in Rhode Island. She will also be doing fee-for-service with The Inner You Counseling. She earned her BA in Psychology in 2015 from Rhode Island University and recently her Masters in Clinical Mental Health and Counseling from Southern New Hampshire University in December of 2021. She will be eligible to sit for her NCMHCE in January 2024. Her goal for the future is to have her own practice and incorporate play to help heal children that have suffered trauma. Tami's hobbies are gardening, writing, sewing, and quilling, and can be often found on the ocean kayaking!  

VT Liaison 

Anne Edgley is in private practice in Jericho, VT. Anne is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a Registered Play Therapist™. Anne attended Lesley University and received an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and has been in practice for 25 years playing with children and families to help heal emotional wounds. Anne has also used animals such as a rabbit, a dog, and a horse to assist in therapy.

School-Based Liaison

Ivette Matos is a Licensed Master’s Social Worker.  She has over 25 years' experience working in the mental health field.  She works at an Elementary Magnet School in East Hartford as a School Social Worker and has worked as a therapist at a private practice office. Most of her experience is working with children and families in areas of: mental health issues, various trauma, homelessness, advocacy, etc.   Her ultimate goal is always making sure that children and adolescents feel safe, loved and know they are not alone. Her all-time favorite games that are always in her office are Jenga and Candy Land. She is a cat lover and enjoys spending quality time alone, reading a good thriller book and learning new ways to incorporate play into everyday life. 

Do you have something going on in your area? Email training@newenglandplaytherapy.org to request that it be added to our website and/or newsletter. Time to PLAY!