About the Play Therapy Online Training Academy:
Read About the Inspirational, Internationally Renowned Trainers in Play Therapy
The Play Therapy Online Training Academy offers Play Therapy training worldwide and our training includes audio and video presentations with some of the leaders in the field of Child Centered Play Therapy. These include:
The Play Therapy Online Training Academy is also supported by:
- Audio presentations with Jewel Janan, the Director of the Play Therapy Online Training Academy from Australia
- From America: Audio presentations with Dr Jodi Mullen, an interview with Dr Jeff Cochran and Nancy Cochran, and we also have Dr Garry Landreth's excellent video material incorporated into our training. We also are delighted to have Dr Bill Nordling offering Clinical Supervision to Play Therapists/Mental Health Professionals in America.
- Live Webinar Play Therapy Training Presentation with Dr David Crenshaw coming in April 2026!
The Play Therapy Online Training Academy is also supported by:
- Dr Jennifer Baggerly: Ph.D, LPC-S, RPT-S, Professor in Counseling and Human Services at the University of North Texas at Dallas, USA. Dr Baggerly has served as chair of the board of Directors of the Association for Play Therapy (APT). She has been involved in many research projects and over fifty publications have led to her being recognized as a prominent Play Therapy expert. We are deeply appreciative to have Dr Baggerly in a consultancy and support role linked with the Play Therapy Online Training Academy being an Approved Provider of Training with the Association for Play Therapy, USA.
READ THE BIOS:
Jewel Janan MAArtTh,DipChPsych,BEd: Founder and Director of the Play Therapy Online Training Academy
Jewel Janan is a Counsellor, Psychotherapist and Play Therapist and an Australian and internationally renowned Play Therapy trainer and workshop presenter. Jewel's qualifications include a Masters of Arts in Art Therapy, Diploma of Child Psychotherapy (Play Therapy) and a Bachelor of Education.
Many years ago, Jewel felt a deep calling to Child Centered Play Therapy after reading the inspiring book, Dibs in Search of Self by Dr Virginia Axline. After initially training in Psychoanalytic Play Therapy in 1996, Jewel followed her passion and deep calling to immerse in the Humanistic Child Centered Play Therapy approach and specialized in this beautiful way of working with children. After attending the Intensive Supervision Process and Summer Program at the Center for Play Therapy at the University of North Texas in 2001 which was a life changing experience for Jewel, she developed the passionate vision of bringing Child Centered Play Therapy training to Australia.
Jewel was the Founder and the Director of Play Therapy Australia from 2001 to March 2015. She developed and presented workshops and Child Centered Play Therapy Clinical Training Programs in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth and offered training for agencies, organisations and universities. She also offered clinical supervision and mentoring. During her time as Director, Play Therapy Australia became renowned as the leading training organisation in Play Therapy in Australia. In March 2015, Jewel left Play Therapy Australia.
She went on to become the Founder and Director of the Play Therapy Online Training Academy, feeling inspired by her positive experiences of integrating high quality online training into the Play Therapy Clinical Training Programs she had previously developed and wanting to support mental health professionals and others in their therapeutic work with children and families internationally. Jewel was a founding member and the first President of the Australian Play Therapists Association (APTA). Her earlier professional work includes roles in therapeutic and educational settings, with a particular focus on supporting children in residential and foster care.
Alongside her professional work, Jewel is passionate about painting and writing and is an exhibiting artist. She has a deep love of dogs and has been a foster carer and administration team member with a Retriever rescue group. Jewel lives near the beautiful coastal city of Fremantle in Western Australia.
Many years ago, Jewel felt a deep calling to Child Centered Play Therapy after reading the inspiring book, Dibs in Search of Self by Dr Virginia Axline. After initially training in Psychoanalytic Play Therapy in 1996, Jewel followed her passion and deep calling to immerse in the Humanistic Child Centered Play Therapy approach and specialized in this beautiful way of working with children. After attending the Intensive Supervision Process and Summer Program at the Center for Play Therapy at the University of North Texas in 2001 which was a life changing experience for Jewel, she developed the passionate vision of bringing Child Centered Play Therapy training to Australia.
Jewel was the Founder and the Director of Play Therapy Australia from 2001 to March 2015. She developed and presented workshops and Child Centered Play Therapy Clinical Training Programs in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth and offered training for agencies, organisations and universities. She also offered clinical supervision and mentoring. During her time as Director, Play Therapy Australia became renowned as the leading training organisation in Play Therapy in Australia. In March 2015, Jewel left Play Therapy Australia.
She went on to become the Founder and Director of the Play Therapy Online Training Academy, feeling inspired by her positive experiences of integrating high quality online training into the Play Therapy Clinical Training Programs she had previously developed and wanting to support mental health professionals and others in their therapeutic work with children and families internationally. Jewel was a founding member and the first President of the Australian Play Therapists Association (APTA). Her earlier professional work includes roles in therapeutic and educational settings, with a particular focus on supporting children in residential and foster care.
Alongside her professional work, Jewel is passionate about painting and writing and is an exhibiting artist. She has a deep love of dogs and has been a foster carer and administration team member with a Retriever rescue group. Jewel lives near the beautiful coastal city of Fremantle in Western Australia.
Dr David Crenshaw Ph.D.,ABPP,RPT-S
David A. Crenshaw is Retired, Clinical Director of the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie. He received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology in 1969 from Washington University in St. Louis. He is a Board-Certified Clinical Psychologist (American Board of Professional Psychology, ABPP). Dr. Crenshaw is a Fellow in the American Academy of Clinical Psychology. He was also awarded a Fellow in the American Psychological Association (APA) and a Fellow in the APA Division of Child and Adolescent Psychology. He is a licensed psychologist in New York State and a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor by the Association for Play Therapy. He has taught graduate courses in Play Therapy and child/adolescent counseling at Johns Hopkins University, and Columbia University.
Dr. Crenshaw has been a vigorous advocate for Courthouse Dogs to provide comfort to child witnesses when testifying in criminal and family court trials. He serves on the Advisory Board and Research Committee of the Courthouse Dogs Foundation in Seattle. He is the author, co-author, editor, or co-editor of 22 books and over 100 journal articles and book chapters on topics of child and adolescent therapy, child trauma and abuse.
He was awarded in 2009 the “Excellence in Psychology Award” by his colleagues in the Hudson Valley Psychological Association (HVPA). In 2012, HVPA honored him with its first ever Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2013, the Coalition against Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault (CASADA) honored him with its CASADA Award for contributions to combating Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault. In 2015, Dr. Crenshaw was given the “Great Friend to Children Award by the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum. He was awarded a 2nd Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 by the New York Association for Play Therapy, and in 2021 a Lifetime Achievement Award (3rd) from the Association for Play Therapy, APT (International). There has also been a Fund set up in honor of Dr.Crenshaw at the Children's Home of Poughkeepsie and the name of the Fund is called the “Healing and Hope Fund”.
Dr. Crenshaw has been a vigorous advocate for Courthouse Dogs to provide comfort to child witnesses when testifying in criminal and family court trials. He serves on the Advisory Board and Research Committee of the Courthouse Dogs Foundation in Seattle. He is the author, co-author, editor, or co-editor of 22 books and over 100 journal articles and book chapters on topics of child and adolescent therapy, child trauma and abuse.
He was awarded in 2009 the “Excellence in Psychology Award” by his colleagues in the Hudson Valley Psychological Association (HVPA). In 2012, HVPA honored him with its first ever Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2013, the Coalition against Domestic Abuse & Sexual Assault (CASADA) honored him with its CASADA Award for contributions to combating Domestic Abuse and Sexual Assault. In 2015, Dr. Crenshaw was given the “Great Friend to Children Award by the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum. He was awarded a 2nd Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 by the New York Association for Play Therapy, and in 2021 a Lifetime Achievement Award (3rd) from the Association for Play Therapy, APT (International). There has also been a Fund set up in honor of Dr.Crenshaw at the Children's Home of Poughkeepsie and the name of the Fund is called the “Healing and Hope Fund”.
Dr Jeff Cochran PhD,NCC,LMHC and Nancy Cochran MA,CAS,LMHC:
Jeff L. Cochran is a professor in the Department of Counseling, Human Development and Family Science at the University of Tennessee.
He has over 30 years experience supervising, teaching, and conducting service research projects of child-centered play therapy for high need populations, especially for children with persistent highly disruptive behavior and clinically elevated aggression.
His experience as a practitioner spanned school and agency settings in different areas of the US and overseas.
He has over 30 years experience supervising, teaching, and conducting service research projects of child-centered play therapy for high need populations, especially for children with persistent highly disruptive behavior and clinically elevated aggression.
His experience as a practitioner spanned school and agency settings in different areas of the US and overseas.
Nancy H. Cochran is an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Counseling, Human Development and Family Science at the University of Tennessee where she teaches Child-Centered Play Therapy.
She has over 30 years of experience as a counselor, school psychologist and consultant across a number of states and overseas, including schools, agencies, universities, and private practice. Nancy is certified in CCPT, CCPT-S, and Filial Family Therapy (FFT) through the National Institute for Relationship Enhancement (NIRE).
She has over 30 years of experience as a counselor, school psychologist and consultant across a number of states and overseas, including schools, agencies, universities, and private practice. Nancy is certified in CCPT, CCPT-S, and Filial Family Therapy (FFT) through the National Institute for Relationship Enhancement (NIRE).
Jeff and Nancy frequently teach, write, and provide Child Centered Play Therapy service research projects in school settings together. Their written works include numerous peer reviewed journal articles on the topic of Child Centered Play Therapy, and the books Child-Centered Play Therapy: A Practical Guide to Therapeutic Relationships with Children (co-authored with Bill Nordling to be released in the 3rd edition summer 2026, Routledge) and The Heart of Counseling: Practical Counseling Skills Through Therapeutic Relationships, 4th edition, Routledge.
Dr Jodi Weinstein Mullen PhD,LMHC,NCC,RPT-S,CCPT-S:
Dr. Jodi Weinstein Mullen, PhD LMHC NCC RPT-S CCPT-Master, is a Professor in the Counseling and Psychological Services Department at the State University of New York at Oswego, where she has been a counselor educator for nearly 30 years. She is the Director of Integrative Counseling Services, with offices in Central New York.
Dr. Mullen is an international speaker, author, credentialed play therapist and play therapy supervisor. Dr. Mullen provides training, consultation and supervision to professional helpers all over the world. She has authored books on play therapy, counseling children and adolescents, grief counseling and parenting.
Her books include “Counseling Children & Adolescents through Grief and Loss” (co-authored by Dr. Jody Fiorini) (2006), “Play Therapy Basic Training: A Guide to Learning & Living & the Child-Centered Play Therapy Philosophy” (2007) and ”Supervision can be Playful: Techniques for Child and Play Therapist Supervisors” (co-edited with Athena Drewes) (2008). Dr. Mullen was the 2008 recipient of the Key Award for Professional Training & Education through the Association for Play Therapy (APT).
Dr. Mullen is an international speaker, author, credentialed play therapist and play therapy supervisor. Dr. Mullen provides training, consultation and supervision to professional helpers all over the world. She has authored books on play therapy, counseling children and adolescents, grief counseling and parenting.
Her books include “Counseling Children & Adolescents through Grief and Loss” (co-authored by Dr. Jody Fiorini) (2006), “Play Therapy Basic Training: A Guide to Learning & Living & the Child-Centered Play Therapy Philosophy” (2007) and ”Supervision can be Playful: Techniques for Child and Play Therapist Supervisors” (co-edited with Athena Drewes) (2008). Dr. Mullen was the 2008 recipient of the Key Award for Professional Training & Education through the Association for Play Therapy (APT).
Dr Garry Landreth Ed,D.,LPC,RPT-S:
Dr Garry Landreth's videos are streamed through an international group and we are grateful to be able to incorporate his wonderful videos into our training.
Dr Garry L. Landreth is internationally known for his writings and work in promoting the development of Child Centered Play Therapy, is a Regents Professor in the Department of Counseling and Higher Education and founder of the Center for Play Therapy at the University of North Texas.
Dr. Landreth is a frequent speaker at play therapy conferences around the world. His more than 150 journal articles, books, and videos include the recent 3rd edition of his award-winning book Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship, which has been translated into several languages. Dr. Landreth's other recent books are Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT): A 10-Session Filial Therapy Model and the accompanying Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) Treatment Manual. His CPRT Model received the Parent Education Best Practices Award.
Dr. Landreth served as Director of the Center for Play Therapy until 2003 and currently consults regularly with the center. Dr. Landreth is Director Emeritus of the Association for Play Therapy (APT) and received the APT Lifetime Achievement Award and the APT Research Award.
He has received numerous professional honors:
(From the Center for Play Therapy, University of North Texas website)
Dr Garry L. Landreth is internationally known for his writings and work in promoting the development of Child Centered Play Therapy, is a Regents Professor in the Department of Counseling and Higher Education and founder of the Center for Play Therapy at the University of North Texas.
Dr. Landreth is a frequent speaker at play therapy conferences around the world. His more than 150 journal articles, books, and videos include the recent 3rd edition of his award-winning book Play Therapy: The Art of the Relationship, which has been translated into several languages. Dr. Landreth's other recent books are Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT): A 10-Session Filial Therapy Model and the accompanying Child Parent Relationship Therapy (CPRT) Treatment Manual. His CPRT Model received the Parent Education Best Practices Award.
Dr. Landreth served as Director of the Center for Play Therapy until 2003 and currently consults regularly with the center. Dr. Landreth is Director Emeritus of the Association for Play Therapy (APT) and received the APT Lifetime Achievement Award and the APT Research Award.
He has received numerous professional honors:
- Meadows Honor Professor Award
- President's Outstanding Professor Award
- Toulouse Scholar Award
- Regents Distinguished Professor Award
- American Association for Counseling and Development Humanitarian and Caring Person Award
- Virginia Axline Distinguished Professional Award
- Shelton Excellence in Teaching Award
- Texas Association for Play Therapy Distinguished Contribution Award
- University of North Texas President's Award
- Association for Specialists in Group Work Research Award
- Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Counseling Vision and Innovation Award
(From the Center for Play Therapy, University of North Texas website)
Dr Bill Nordling PhD, LP, RPT-S:
Bill Nordling, Ph.D is a licensed clinical psychologist in the United States. He serves as full Professor at the Institute for the Psychological Sciences (IPS) (School of Psychology) – a doctoral level degree training program in clinical psychology located in Sterling, Virginia (USA) (metropolitan Washington, DC). Since 1999 he has taught coursework there in Child-Centred play therapy (CCPT) and Filial family therapy. For the past 34 years, he has also served as the Director of Certification Programs in CCPT and Filial therapy at the National Institute of Relationship Enhancement - a post-graduate training institute founded by Drs. Bernard and Louise Guerney (the developers of Fiilial Therapy). Dr. Nordling is a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor through the Association for Play Therapy (USA). He was a founding Board member of the Maryland Association for Play Therapy, and also served on the Board of Directors of the national-level Association of Play Therapy (USA) for six years, and was its President in 2010.
Dr. Nordling has conducted over 300 training workshops throughout the U.S. and internationally in the areas of play and Filial therapy. He has authored a number of publications in these areas including the book Child-Centered Play Therapy: A Practical Guide to Developing Therapeutic Relationships with Children (2nd ed.) (co-authored with Nancy and Jeff Cochran).
Dr. Nordling specialises in distance supervision, case consultation, and mentoring of clinicians at all levels of development in order to bring excellence to their practice of play and Filial therapy, and more generally to develop their abilities to engage in case conceptualisation, treatment planning and use of multiple levels of intervention (e.g. individual child, parent, couple, school) to address child and family problems. Given he possesses the Registered Play Therapist – Supervisor credential through the Association for Play Therapy in the United States, his supervision has been accepted for credentialling through various play therapy training programs and associations in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand.
Dr. Nordling has conducted over 300 training workshops throughout the U.S. and internationally in the areas of play and Filial therapy. He has authored a number of publications in these areas including the book Child-Centered Play Therapy: A Practical Guide to Developing Therapeutic Relationships with Children (2nd ed.) (co-authored with Nancy and Jeff Cochran).
Dr. Nordling specialises in distance supervision, case consultation, and mentoring of clinicians at all levels of development in order to bring excellence to their practice of play and Filial therapy, and more generally to develop their abilities to engage in case conceptualisation, treatment planning and use of multiple levels of intervention (e.g. individual child, parent, couple, school) to address child and family problems. Given he possesses the Registered Play Therapist – Supervisor credential through the Association for Play Therapy in the United States, his supervision has been accepted for credentialling through various play therapy training programs and associations in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand.
