GAPT Leadership

Gloria has always been very passionate about her work with children and families and decided to further her knowledge by completing her education specialist degree with a track in Play Therapy from The University of Mississippi. Shortly after, she became a Registered Play Therapist. In 2013, Gloria assumed the position of Clinical Director for Children and Adolescent services at CETPA and started supervising interns from Georgia State University. In her new role, she was responsible for increasing children and adolescent services and programming as well as, revenue for the organization. Gloria created and expanded 3 playrooms and an expressive arts room, implemented the GA APEX project, and started 3 schools that expanded to 5, assisted in the implementation of the mental health resiliency clubhouse and collaborated with and supported the substance abuse support clubhouse. Gloria expanded the internship program from 2 schools to 6, including an international university (Universidad Del Norte, Colombia). Gloria moved into several leadership roles within the agency with the last being Center Director in late 2017.

As of March 2020, Gloria is the Director for Play Therapy for View Point Health. In her new role, Gloria has supervised more than 25 clinicians which has enhanced View Point’s programming and internship opportunities. Additionally, Gloria has made it possible for View Point Health to be an approved Provider for Play Therapy. She has infused play therapy through children and adolescent programs by training, supervising, and educating clinicians and staff on the power of play. In early 2021, Gloria was able to build new playrooms for the outpatient centers (Newton, Rockdale, Norcross and Lawrenceville) in collaboration with Dr. McNary and Christ the King’s Community Outreach Program. Gloria co-facilitates clinical supervision consultation groups and is very passionate about utilizing her play skills with her supervisees. Gloria has presented on Play Therapy topics in person and online starting with the Alabama Counseling Association in 2015 in a content session and as a keynote speaker. She continues to provide trainings for View Point Health and started offering trainings to the public in 2021. View Point Health is still the only CSB in GA with an approved provider status. Gloria is a 2023 Leadership Academy graduate.

Kadesha Adelakun

LCSW, RPT-S, PMH-C

Owner and Director, The Journey Counseling Services, LLC

Vice-President (2024-2025), Secretary (2022-2024) and Board Member (2022-2026), GAPT

Kadesha is the founder and owner of The Journey Counseling Services in Kennesaw, GA, where she's been in private practice since 2010. In 2020, Kadesha decided to expand her practice and became a group practice. This was done, so she could help more people in the community. Now with five therapists at her practice, they are able to do so. Diversity, Representation, and Inclusion is very important to Kadesha. So, it was also important that her practice represented that, especially as a place where BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) can see a therapist that looks like them. It is also an anti-racist, pro-social justice, and inclusive practice.

In 2015, Kadesha created The Ebony Journey Facebook group, out of a personal and professional need. The goal of that group is to assist with balancing some of the images that children see or find (easily) in mainstream society. To help Black and Brown children see and be exposed to more (positive) images of people that look like them, while assist with exposing ALL children, no matter their race, to more (positive) images of Black and Brown people (dolls, books, events, activities, etc.), promoting and embracing diversity. In 2018, Kadesha created The Journey of Cultural and Racial Diversity in Play Therapy Facebook group, for child and play therapists. The purpose of this group is to provide support and assist play therapists with building and maintaining a culturally and racially diverse play therapy practice, as well as share culturally and racially diverse resources. Currently both groups have over 1,000 members in each group. She is also a 2021 Leadership Academy Graduate.

Mariana Brady Shively

M.A., LPC, RPT-S, CPCS

Mental Health Provider, Georgia Highlands Medical Services Inc.

Secretary (2024-2025) and Board Member (2024-2027), GAPT

Mariana is a bilingual licensed professional counselor and registered play therapist supervisor committed to facilitating transformative therapeutic experiences for children and their caregivers, particularly within Latinx communities and families from diverse backgrounds. Her passion lies in fostering self-awareness and inspiring growth through meaningful therapeutic exchanges, rooted in an awareness and appreciation of how diversity impacts clients' experiences and identities.

With a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Florida International University and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Argosy University, Mariana's professional journey has taken her through diverse clinical settings, including school-based mental health, outpatient community counseling, inpatient psychiatric group therapy, and private practice. Throughout her career, she has maintained a strong focus on cultural diversity and intersectionality, recognizing and honoring the unique intersections of identities and experiences that shape each individual's reality.

Anissa Howard

Ph.D., LPC, LMFT, ACS, RPT-S, CAADC, NCC

Therapist, Middle Georgia Associates, LLC

Associate Professor, Fort Valley State University

Treasurer (2024-2025) and Board Member (2024-2027), GAPT

Dr. Anissa Howard is an Associate Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Fort Valley State University and is the current program coordinator for this graduate program. She attended the University of Georgia where she earned both Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Professional Counseling and Psychology respectively. She is dually licensed in the state of Georgia as a Licensed Professional Counselor and Marriage and Family Therapist and utilizes this training in providing counseling and professional counselor supervision services in the Middle Georgia area. Anissa is a National Certified Counselor, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and Approved Clinical Supervisor. Currently, Anissa maintains a small private practice in Warner Robins, Georgia where she provides play therapy, individual, group, family, marital, and couples counseling for a variety of issues including substance abuse, domestic violence, complex trauma and other behavioral and/or mental health issues. Throughout the years, Anissa has obtained extensive experience working with families and individuals involved with the Department of Family and Children Services and the Department of Juvenile Justice. Anissa continues to focus her efforts on improving mental health outcomes of Middle Georgians while also focusing on the development of integrative and holistic treatment protocols and interventions for families and individuals impacted by substance use, childhood trauma stemming from abuse and neglect, intergenerational attachment issues, and domestic violence.

Melissa Brown

M.A., LPC, CPCS, RPT CAMS

Owner, A place to Grow Counseling & Consulting Services

Board Member (2024-2027), GAPT

Melissa Brown is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist, Certified Anger Management Specialist, and Certified Professional Clinical Supervisor who is licensed in the states of Georgia and the Virgin Islands. With a diverse and extensive background in various therapeutic settings—including outpatient care, school-based programs, child and adolescent crisis stabilization units, and community mental health—Melissa brings a wealth of experience to her practice. As the Founder and CEO of A Place to Grow Counseling & Consulting Services, LLC, Melissa provides therapeutic services that foster growth and resiliency in children and adolescents. In addition to her leadership role at A Place to Grow Counseling, Melissa serves as the Program Manager for the school-based program at Viewpoint Health, where she provides training and supervision for clinicians.

Melissa is also a 2024 graduate of the Association of Play Therapy Leadership Academy, reflecting her ongoing commitment to professional development and leadership in the field of play therapy. Her dedication to empowering young individuals and supporting their mental health and well-being is at the heart of her work.

Kathryn Klock-Powell

Ph.D., LMFT, RPT-S, BC-TMH

Therapist, Building Blocks Family Counseling

Professor, National University

Board Member (2024-2027), GAPT

Dr. Kathryn Klock-Powell is a full-time Professor at National University’s Marriage and Family Therapy Program. Dr. Klock-Powell is located outside of Savannah, Georgia though she is originally from Long Island, New York. She received her Master’s Degree at Hofstra University and completed her Doctorate at the University of Georgia, both in Marriage and Family Therapy. Kathryn is a partner in a group practice in Pooler, Georgia, Building Blocks Family Counseling. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist, registered play therapist, and an approved supervisor for AAMFT and APT. Her clinical interests include high conflict divorce, autism, trauma, childhood sexual abuse, and using technology in therapy. She has over 25 years of clinical experience.

Kathryn had served on the Georgia Composite Board for Licensed Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Social Workers for six years. She provides distance supervision and play therapy supervision groups. She is passionate about providing experiential learning opportunities for students and sharing her clinical experience.