Catch a Breath Exercise

Clair Mellenthin, LCSW, RPT-S™, is an international speaker, author, psychologist, and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. Throughout her career, she has specialized in providing play therapy to children, teens, and their families. She is currently the Director of Child & Adolescents at Wasatch Family Therapy. Ms. Mellenthin frequently presents professional play therapy and family therapy trainings on Attachment-Centered Play Therapy, Family, and Trauma issues both nationally and internationally.

Ms. Mellenthin is a sought-after supervisor, training graduate students and interns in play therapy, and an adjunct faculty member at the University of Southern California MSW program. She is the past-president of the Utah Association for Play Therapy and remains an active member on the Board of Directors. She is the author of the books Attachment Centered Play Therapy; Play Therapy: Engaging & Powerful Techniques for the Treatment of Childhood Disorders; My Many Colors of Me Workbookand has authored several chapters and articles. In addition to being an experienced play therapist and professor, Ms. Mellenthin also appears on local and national TV and radio as an expert on children and family issues. She holds a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California.

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Clair Mellenthin has employment relationships with Wasatch Family Therapy and the University of Louisiana Monroe. She is a published author and receives royalties. Clair Mellenthin receives a speaking honorarium, recording royalties, and book royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Clair Mellenthin is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, the Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, the American Psychological Association, and the Association for Play Therapy.

Jennifer Lefebre, PsyD, RPT-S™, is a clinical psychologist, registered play therapist supervisor, and trauma-sensitive yoga facilitator. She is the president-elect for the New England Association for Play Therapy. Her clinical and research interests focus on the assessment and treatment of children, adolescents, adults and families whose lives have been impacted by complex trauma. Dr. Lefebre has extensive experience working with young children (0-5), adult survivors of severe childhood abuse and neglect, first responders, and combat veterans.

Dr. Lefebre is the clinical director at Healing the Child Within, a holistic trauma center in northwestern Connecticut which integrates psychotherapy, yoga, play, and expressive arts therapies into the treatment of complex trauma. She also provides clinical supervision and play therapy consultation throughout New England and online, and an adjunct faculty member at several universities, teaching both at the undergraduate and graduate level. In addition to being an experienced play therapist and professor, Dr. Lefebre is a sought-after expert for speaking engagements, podcasts and webinars on the topics of play therapy and complex childhood trauma.

Speaker Disclosures: 
Financial: Jennifer Lefebre is in private practice. She receives a speaking honorarium from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Jennifer Lefebre is a member of the Association of Play Therapy.

Tammi Van Hollander, LCSW, RPT-S™, RST-C/T, is a licensed clinical social worker, Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, and Registered Sand Therapist Consultant/Trainer with over 25 years of experience working with children, families, and individuals. She earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania and is internationally recognized for her innovative contributions to play therapy. Tammi is the author of Casey’s Greatness Wings and The Bibliotherapy Toolbox: 100+ Creative and Playful Story-Based Interventions to Help Kids Create Safety, Overcome Challenges, and Build Resiliency. She is also the creator of Greatness Sticks, a tool designed to foster resilience and self-esteem in children. A leader in the field, Tammi played a pivotal role in co-teaching the first-ever Sandtray therapy class in China, helping introduce this transformative modality to the country. She is founding board member of the World Association for Sand Therapy Professionals (WASTP), an organization dedicated to upholding the integrity of sand therapy through research, training, ethical standards, and global community building. Tammi is a sought-after international speaker and delivered her first TEDx Talk in October 2023, titled Stories in the Sand: Healing Trauma, Anxiety, and Grief.

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Tammi Van Hollander is the owner of Main Line Therapy, LLC. and has employment relationships with the Expressive Arts Therapies and the Mid-Atlantic Play Therapy Institute. She receives royalties as a published author. Tammi Van Hollander receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Tammi Van Hollander is a member of the Association for Play Therapy and the National Association for Social Workers. She is a board member of the World Association for Sand Therapy Professionals and a program committee chair for the Specialists of Schools.