Cultural Issues in Play Therapy

Eliana Gil, PhD, RPT-S, ATS, is a founding partner and senior clinical and research consultant in a private group practice, the Gil Institute for Trauma Recovery and Education, in Fairfax, Virginia. Dr. Gil is an approved marriage and family therapy supervisor; a registered play therapist/supervisor; a registered art therapist; a Circle of Security certified parent educator; and a Level II Theraplay provider. She is a former president of the Association for Play Therapy, which honored her with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Dr. Gil is the author of numerous publications on child abuse prevention and treatment. Originally from Guayaquil, Ecuador, she is bilingual and bicultural.
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Athena A. Drewes, PsyD, RPT-S, is a licensed psychologist, certified school psychologist, and registered play therapist and supervisor. Dr. Drewes is semi-retired in Ocala, Florida. She has over 40 years of clinical and supervision experience with children and adolescents experiencing complex trauma and sexual abuse in school, outpatient, and inpatient settings. She is a past board member of the Association for Play Therapy and a founder and president emeritus of the New York Association for Play Therapy. A frequently invited guest lecturer around the United States and internationally, Dr. Drewes has published 11 books on play therapy.