GAPT Board of Directors

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 (2024-2026), Secretary (2022-2024) and Board Member (2022-2028), 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

Owner and Director, Grow Within Counseling LLC

Play Therapy Supervisor & Trainer, View Point Health

Secretary (2024-2026) and Board Member (2024-2027), GAPT

Mariana is a bilingual clinician, supervisor, trainer, and Owner and Director of Grow Within Counseling. She is dedicated to expanding the power of play and strengthening the quality of mental health services for children and families, particularly within Latinx communities and other underserved populations.

Drawing on experience in school-based mental health, community mental health, inpatient psychiatric settings, and private practice, Mariana brings a systems-informed and trauma-responsive perspective to supervision, consultation, and training. Throughout her career, she has maintained a strong commitment to cultural humility, diversity, and intersectionality, recognizing and honoring the unique identities and lived experiences of the children, families, and clinicians she serves. Mariana is passionate about equipping clinicians with practical, culturally responsive, and evidence-based play therapy approaches that foster ethical practice, clinical confidence, and meaningful therapeutic relationships. She is a 2024 Leadership Academy graduate.

Anissa Howard

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

Therapist, Middle Georgia Associates, LLC

Associate Professor, Fort Valley State University

Treasurer (2024-2026) 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.

Jaqui Wilson

LPC, RPT-S, CPCS

Crossroads Christian Counseling Center, Executive Director

Board Member (2026-2029), GAPT

A graduate of Wesleyan College, Jaqui Wilson began her career in education. She worked in publishing where she assisted in the development of curriculum for children, youth, and adults before entering the classroom as a teacher. Jaqui taught Social Studies, particularly World History, Psychology, and AP Psychology in middle Georgia prior to entering the clinical field of counselor. As a teacher, Jaqui was honored as Teacher of the Year in 2003. She also spent several years representing her school and presenting nationwide to educate other teachers on how to integrate technology into the classroom.

After receiving her Master’s degree in Community Counseling, Jaqui worked with children and adolescents, along with their families, in a clinical setting treating a variety of issues that often included anxiety, depression, family adjustment issues, divorce, academic difficulties, etc. She also led a substance abuse group for youth ages 11-18. In addition, Jaqui has experience working with victims of domestic violence and sexual assault both in a crisis setting and in seeking safe shelter. As a counselor at a private school, Jaqui has blended her experience and expertise in education with her clinical knowledge to provide short-term therapy for students, advising several extracurricular high school clubs that mentored younger students in a variety of skills.

Currently Jaqui is a clinician at Crossroads Christian Counseling Center where she sees children, teens, and adults with anxiety, depression, self-harm, PTSD, etc. She is a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and Certified Professional Counseling Supervisor (Georgia). Jaqui is also trained in EMDR and TraumaPlay. She is excited to join the GAPT Board of Directors.

Jaqui lives in Macon with her husband Mark and son Nicholas. In her spare time, Jaqui likes to read, can (veggies, jellies, etc.), and spend time with loved ones.