Our Presenters
Here, you can find the people who will teach the LEAPT-approved classes and provide Consultation and Evaluation required for certification
All instructors are certified by LEAPT and use LEAPT-approved materials
Nikki Pauli
Nikole Pauli, LMHC, NCC, RPT-S, CAdPT-ASherri Cauthen
Sherri Cauthen is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. She is employed at a community mental health organization in Atlanta, Georgia. Sherri specializes in treating children and adolescents who’ve experienced difficulties with emotional regulation, impulse-control, complex trauma, grief and loss, anxiety and mood disorders. Sherri has over 20 years clinical experience, and received her MSW at The University of Maine. She has worked in multiple clinical settings, including community mental health, residential facilities, treatment foster care, and schools. In addition to working in community mental health, Sherri has a small private practice in Decatur, Georgia. Sherri presently serves as a committee member with the Association for Play Therapy and completed the Leadership Academy in 2020. When not working with children and families, Sherri enjoys watching true crime documentaries, traveling and listening to sports radio.
Sherri is an Approved Adlerian Play Therapy Consultant. Her charge for a consultation session is $125. Sliding scale available.
Terry Kottman
Terry Kottman, Ph.D., RPT-S, LMHC, developed Adlerian play therapy, an approach to working with children, families, and adults that combines the ideas and techniques of Individual Psychology and play therapy. She regularly teaches classes and writes about play therapy. She is the author of Play Therapy: Basics and Beyond, co-author (with Kristin Meany-Walen) of Partners in Play: An Adlerian Approach to Play Therapy (3rd ed.)and Doing Play Therapy: From Building the Relationship to Facilitating Change, and several other books. In 2014, she won the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association for Play Therapy, in 2017, she won a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Iowa Association for Play Therapy, and in 2020, she was awarded a lifetime achievement award from the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology. She is also Jacob's mom and Rick's wife, the best accomplishments of her lifetime of striving. Contact Information: tkottman25@gmail.com.
Valerie Reyna
Valerie Reyna, PhD, LPC-S, RPT-S, CAdPT-A
Valerie is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor in private practice in Colleyville, TX. Valerie graduated from the University of North Texas and is currently a doctoral candidate at Texas A&M Commerce. She has also been an elementary school teacher and counselor. Valerie is also completing her certification in Animal Assisted Play Therapy. Her private practice focuses on high conflict divorce and narcissistic abuse. Contact information: valerie@mariposa-counseling.
Valerie is an Approved Adlerian Play Therapy Consultant. Her charge for a consultation session is $125.