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About Us / Instructors

Meet Our Instructors

Every Play Therapy Toolbox course is taught by a credentialed, nationally recognized expert in play therapy and supervision.

Susan Stutzman

Susan Stutzman

LCPCNCCRPT-S

Susan Stutzman, LCPC, RPT-S, is the founder and owner of Kid Matters Counseling in Hinsdale, IL. Susan is the co-owner of Play Therapy Toolbox, a digital resource to help support, train, and equip the next generation of play therapists and play therapy supervisors. She is the past president of the Illinois Association for Play Therapy, a mother of 3 children, and lives in Hinsdale with her husband of 17 years.

Licenses

  • Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC)
  • Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC)
  • Registered Play Therapist – Supervisor (RPT-S)

Certifications & Training

  • Certificate in Trauma Treatment for Children and Adolescents
  • Certified Transforming Touch® Practitioner
  • Certified AutPlay® Therapy Provider
  • Certified Theraplay® Practitioner
  • Certified Synergetic Play Therapist (SPT)
  • Circle of Security Parent Facilitator
  • Level 1 Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for Trauma – completed
  • Level 2 Sensorimotor Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Developmental Injury – completed
  • Level 3 Sensorimotor Psychotherapy Certification – currently enrolled
  • EMDR Core Skills Trained
  • Foundational SSP Training
APT Approved ProviderCertified Theraplay PractitionerSynergetic Play Therapy CertifiedCircle of Security ParentingPESI EMDR TrainingUnyte Safe & Sound ProtocolNBCC National Certified Counselor
Lisa Dion

Lisa Dion

LPCRPT-S

Lisa Dion, LPC, RPT-S, is an international teacher, clinical supervisor, author, and entrepreneur — the founder and President of the Synergetic Play Therapy Institute and creator of Synergetic Play Therapy®. She has trained thousands of professionals worldwide and is the author of Aggression in Play Therapy and host of the Lessons from the Playroom podcast.

Licenses

  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
  • Registered Play Therapist – Supervisor (RPT-S)

Certifications & Training

  • Creator of Synergetic Play Therapy®
  • Certified Gestalt Therapist
  • Certified Parent Educator
  • Level II EMDR Practitioner
  • Master Certified Facilitator of the Demartini Method™
Aggression in Play Therapy by Lisa Dion
Author of Aggression in Play Therapy
Synergetic Play Therapy Institute
Founder & President, Synergetic Play Therapy Institute
Dr. Laura Tejada

Dr. Laura Tejada

PhDLMFTLCPCRPT-S

Laura Tejada, PhD, LMFT, LCPC, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, AAMFT Approved Supervisor, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counselor Education at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago.

Certifications & Training

  • Ph.D. Counselor Education and Supervision (Marriage and Family Therapy Specialty Track), University of Akron
  • M.S. Marriage and Family Therapy, University of Akron
  • M.S. Counselor Education, Emporia State University
  • B.S. Education, Northern Arizona University