Amy Nelson, LCSW, LSCSW, RPT-S
Coming to Our Senses: Utilizing Applied Sensory Strategies in Your Play Therapy Practice
As a keynote speaker, trainer, and children's book author, the self-proclaimed "Quirky Kid," Amy Nelson, is deeply passionate about promoting neurodiversity and inclusion. With firsthand experience as a neurodivergent professional and extensive expertise as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor™, and Social Emotional Learning Coach and Consultant, Amy is dedicated to inspiring and motivating professionals to "LEAN IN," embracing sensory processing differences.
As the founder of Emotional Milestones, Amy helps professionals prioritize and optimize mental and behavioral support for young children through applied sensory strategies and play therapy techniques. Her engaging storytelling and dynamic teaching style blend theory and practice, making her a highly sought-after speaker at local, state, and national conferences.
Meet the Presenters!
Kamini Verma
Using Play Therapy Skills to Engage Parents Using Cultural Competency
Let’s Get Creative! Developing Evidence-Based Tailored Interventions for the Play Room
Kamini Verma obtained her Master of Science in Social Work from the University Of Texas School Of Social Work in 2010. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), a Social Work Board Approved Supervisor in Texas, and a Registered Play Therapist and Supervisor (RPT-S). She has 10+ years of experience working with children, adolescents and their families on topics related to healing from trauma and abuse, crisis intervention, creating home stability, adoption, grief and loss, mindfulness and questions of sexuality. She is Trust Based Relational Intervention ® Certified Educator and completed Level One of Theraplay training. Kamini has offered counseling to children ages 5-17 years in both individual and family sessions, utilizing a variety of treatment modalities, including play therapy, solution-focused therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. During the course of her professional care, Kamini has worked as an advocate for children in the foster care system, a residential treatment center, a community health clinic, and private practice before most recently returning to her non-profit roots at a local counseling agency that serves all people and has a focus on military families.
Maria Laquerre-Diego
D&D for Mental Health: A Beginner's Guide
A self-described geek, Maria Laquerre-Diego is a CEO and Owner who is committed to increasing access to mental health services and breaking down the stigma surrounding therapy services. In addition to supporting mental health providers, Maria takes an active role in addressing the continued stigma of mental health services through the use of pop culture – everything from movies and television shows to superheroes and Disney characters. Maria has spoken about mental health at several local events, has served as an officer on professional boards and has provided training to clinicians all over the country while maintaining her and her family’s roots as Aggies! Maria is always happy to talk about Star Wars, Marvel and mental health and can be contacted through her practice website www.anewhopetc.org
Zachary Dehler Egan
D&D for Mental Health: A Beginner's Guide
Zac is a Licensed Master Social Worker with his graduate degree from Western New Mexico University. While there, his focus was on clinical social work and he received a certificate in school social work. Zac's passion in therapy is using unconventional interventions – such as video games, outdoor adventure therapy, horticulture therapy, tabletop role playing games (such as Dungeons & Dragons), and board games – alongside conventional intervention techniques. Zac currently holds a certificate in mindfulness therapy and is working on certifications in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy. Zac may be a “padawan” therapist, but he has been active in local communities since high school, starting with independent community organizing and eventually founding a local non-profit. The populations that he has the most experience working with are preteens, teenagers, and adults in both group and individual settings. Zac aims to provide a holistic and humanistic service to his clients utilizing an integrative therapeutic approach.