Playnotes from Dr. Fountain Hardy
June 1, 2022
Hello! It is an absolute pleasure and honor to be elected as your new GAPT President! I look forward to enhancing the greatness that GAPT provides to our members and the community at large (and also request your patience as we transition the organizational aspects after being led by Trudy Post-Sprunk for nearly three decades and due to APT requirements that are currently being updated for chartered branches). The Board of Directors is planning to continue some of the awesome traditions and begin new ones as well. I look forward to serving as your leader and to the great work that we all provide in the midst of the current chaotic atmosphere. Thank you for continuing to care about the children in Georgia and for promoting the goodness of play therapy!
A message from our former President, Trudy Post-Sprunk
A few reflections over the last 26 years...
Dr. JoAnna White recognized the benefits of play therapy and in 1991 created Atlanta Association for Play Therapy. Her efforts grew the awareness of play therapy and in 1993 there was a movement to get Georgia accepted as one of APT’s state branches. On October 14, 1995, APT granted Georgia chapter status and since that time GAPT has earned the prestigious Gold Branch Award every year with the exception of one.
Every year since 1995, GAPT has:
- Consistently increased our membership and grew the base of play therapy throughout Georgia.
- Presented nationally known speakers for our annual conferences.
- Provided free workshops to members and graduate students from 4 universities.
- Offered networking events for members to engage with other members in a social environment such as our hospitality suite at APT National Conferences.
- Provided multiple educational opportunities to inform families about the option and the benefits of play therapy. Examples include the GAPT.org website, Facebook, family park festivals, Atlanta Parent magazine, specialized non-profit websites, radio interviews, etc.
- Offered discussion groups about favorite play therapy topics, books, activities, etc.
- Sent our members Play Notes quarterly and then later monthly through Constant Contact email service.
- Created an honorarium available to Doctoral Students writing their dissertation on Play Therapy.
- Attended the APT business meeting yearly to stay updated on national requirements.
Some of my favorite memories over the last 26 years include …
- Enjoying your passion for play therapy. Hearing your responses to reconnecting with friends while attending GAPT conferences
- Watching your positive reactions to our speakers.
- Listening to your laughter as you share play therapy stories. Seeing your excitement as you buy or win play therapy puppets
- Watching at sand tray workshops as you self-soothe in the sand.
- Noticing how playful you were at Jeff Ashby’s workshop
- Seeing you “light up” when you learn a valuable play therapy technique or learn about new research.
- Hearing about your personal play therapy successes.
- Reading your conference evaluations.
- Sharing your joy when you earn your RPT credential.
- Appreciating your involvement in our national organization.
I will truly miss these things and many, many more.
With all my love and respect,
Trudy
On March 12, 2022, Trudy was declared the "Mother of the Georgia Association for Play Therapy" in appreciation for her dedication to developing and growing GAPT.
