New Mexico Association for Play Therapy

09/30/2026

Join us in beautiful Santa Fe, New Mexico on Sunday, November 15th! Register at www.nmapt.org

09/28/2026

Hey New Mexico playborhood! Are you coming to the International Play Therapy conference in Minneapolis this year?! We’d love to see you for dinner! RSVP by emailing [email protected] or messaging our president, Camille! ✨

09/25/2026

09/04/2026

We are excited to announce our fall conference this year! To register go to www.nmapt.org/event

Meet the presenters!

Eliza Combs MA, LPCC, ATR, RPT™, Registered Circle of Security Parenting (COSP™) Facilitator Clinical Supervisor/Lead Therapist at IAIA and Founder and Advisory Member of Play Therapy Institute & Child Counseling Center of NM located in Santa Fe, NM is an artist, expressive arts therapist (registered play therapist and registered art therapist), and NM board registered clinical supervisor with more than 25 years of experience working with children, adults, and families, including 16 years in New Mexico nonprofits. Guided by play, curiosity, creativity, and social justice, they integrate expressive arts, body-centered approaches, and play therapy.

Katie Bassiri MHC LPCC RPT-S™ is a business owner and mental health therapist in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is a licensed counselor and supervisor in both New Mexico and New York and, coincidentally, she also enjoys novelty and all things NEW (which is one reason why these states hold so much appeal). Although she has worked in the autism community for 15 years, she didn't begin to understand her own neurodivergent brain until she became a parent. In her everyday life, Katie navigates the complexities of what it is like being a neurodivergent mother parenting little neurodiverse humans while employing therapists who see neurodivergent folx across the lifespan. Katie spends most of her time supervising, training, talking with parents of clients, and SIDE QUESTS (which usually involve art or movement of some sort). Katie also loves to use parentheses (to better explain things). She finds that navigating the intersectionality of neurodiversity and mental health is complex, especially within the current reality of our systems, and looks forward to connecting with therapists around this topic (yes, I mean you!)

09/02/2026

Save the date! More information coming soon!

08/24/2026

Meet our NMAPT President Elect! ✨♥️

Camille Chavez is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist based in Roswell, New Mexico. She has worked as a special education social worker within her local school district for the past five years and also provides mental health services to women in recovery at a residential treatment program.
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Her approach is grounded in Person-Centered theory, emphasizing empathy, unconditional positive regard, and the healing power of authentic connection. She practices from a strengths-based lens, meeting clients where they are and honoring the resilience, abilities, and inner resources they already carry. Camille has received training in Child-Centered Play Therapy and Adlerian Play Therapy and integrates play therapy, sand tray therapy, and expressive interventions into her work with children and adults.
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She is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel seen, heard, valued, and empowered. She feels privileged to walk alongside children, adults, and families as they grow, heal, and rediscover their strengths. Camille believes that play is a powerful language for healing and growth and play therapy has been profoundly meaningful in both her personal and professional life. She is deeply passionate about sharing the value of play therapy with her community and is proud to serve on the NMAPT board.

08/21/2026

♥️🌈🔥⬇️

08/17/2026

Meet our VP, Risa! ✨🎉
Risa Lehrer relocated to Taos in 1995 after serving as special education in the New York City public schools. For the past six years, she has served as a special education teacher and school counselor at Anansi Charter School. Along with running her own established private practice in Taos since 2008. In her private practice she has worked to support children and families using Play Therapy.

In 2010, she earned her Registered Play Therapist™ (RPT™) certification and then had achieved RPT-S™ (Supervisor) certification. Along with holding her level II Theraplay certification Risa has pursued further education in the areas of play therapy through the years. She has been an active leader in the New Mexico Play Therapy Association, serving as President, President-Elect, and Past President, during her two terms. During her tenure, she presented numerous training sessions across the state, including at the association’s annual conference.

A passionate advocate for mental health, Risa currently serves on the New Mexico Counseling Association's Legislative Committee, where she works to secure increased funding for mental health services in schools and for private practitioners. Her commitment to supporting families and advocating for systemic change in New Mexico has made her a powerful voice for the communities she serves.

As a dedicated member of the play therapy community, Risa is eager to expand awareness of the practice and educate the public about its profound benefits and effectiveness in helping children and families navigate life’s challenges.