About Us

Founded in 1987 in Kitchener–Waterloo, Ontario, the Canadian Association for Play Therapy (CAPT) began as a grassroots network of clinicians who believed Canada needed a home for play therapy. Today, we’re a national, member-driven not-for-profit advancing the practice, training, and ethics of play therapy across the country.

Who We Are

Guided by respect, ethics, and community, we:

  • support professional development and certification;
  • uphold rigorous standards of practice and ethics; and
  • build a connected community of therapists serving children, youth, and families.
What is Play Therapy? Play Therapy is a developmentally responsive, evidence-informed form of psychotherapy that uses play—the natural language of children—and the therapeutic relationship to help children and youth express feelings, process experiences, and strengthen coping skills. It can also be adapted for adolescents, families, and adults.

CAPT Overview

Vision

CAPT’s vision is to connect children, youth, adults, families, and communities with play therapy education and certification.

Mission

To strengthen voices, health, and well being with individuals, families, and communities by providing support, connection, education, and certification to assist play therapists in promoting the healing therapeutic powers of play and play therapy.

Strategic Priorities (2024)

  1. Strengthen communities
  2. Increase membership
  3. Increase awareness and reach of play therapy
  4. Support training

Board of Directors

What does the Board do?

CAPT’s Board provides governance and strategic direction, ensures fiduciary oversight, and protects the Association’s mission and values. Directors steward long-term priorities, risk management, and policy—always with members and the public interest in mind.

Responsibilities include:

  • Setting strategy and annual priorities
  • Upholding ethics, standards, and bylaws
  • Approving budgets and overseeing financial health
  • Supporting the Executive Director
  • Evaluating organizational performance
  • Ensuring compliance as a Canadian not-for-profit
  • Responsibilities include:
    • Setting strategy and annual priorities
    • Approving budgets and overseeing financial health
    • Upholding ethics, standards, and bylaws
    • Supporting the Executive Director and evaluating organizational performance
    • Ensuring compliance as a Canadian not-for-profit

    Current Board

    The Board is elected from the membership and reflects diverse professional backgrounds and geographies. Directors serve staggered terms to provide continuity and fresh perspective.

    Executive

    Role
    Designee

    President

    Governance leadership and Board liaison

    Kevin St. Louis

    Omemee, ON

    Vice-President

    Strategic support and committee coordination

    Nicole Perryman

    Ajax, ON

    Secretary

    Governance records, minutes, and policy updates

    TBA

    Treasurer

    Financial stewardship and reporting

    Liz Christie

    Port Colborne, ON

    Executive Director (staff)

    Day-to-day management, partnerships, and member services

    Greg Lubimiv

    Toronto, ON

    Committees

    CAPT committees are where members co-create programs, standards, and community. They advise the Board, lead initiatives, and help deliver member value. Joining a committee is one of the best ways to contribute your expertise and grow professionally.

    Our Committees and Chairs include:
    • Approved Provider Committee: Krysteli Needham
    • Certification Committee: Krysteli Needham
    • Conference Committee: TBD
    • Diversity & Equity Committee: Donna Starling
    • Education Committee: Barbara Warrick
    • Ethics Committee: TBD
    • Fundraising Committee: TBD
    • IPTW Committee: TBD
    • Marketing Committee: Caileigh Falnnigan and Nicole Perryman
    • Membership Committee: Lindsay Crowe
    • Publications Committee: TBD
    • Research Committee: TBD
    Committee Annual Reports
    View Reports Archive

    Get Involved — Members Make Us Stronger

    CAPT is member-powered. Your ideas, energy, and leadership shape our direction and impact. Here’s how you can help us grow:

    • Become a member and help spread awareness about Play Therapy
    • Join a committee and lend your expertise
    • Pursue certification and mentorship opportunities
    • Attend the Annual General Meeting and add your voice to key decisions
    • Share resources and research with the community
    Ready to Contribute
    Together, we advance play therapy in Canada—one member, one family, one community at a time.