Current Board Members
Rebecca Patterson, President
Darcie Taggart, PResident-Elect
Darcie Taggart, PResident-Elect
Rebecca is a LPCC-S and RPT-S. She is AutPlay Certified and TF-CBT Certified. Rebecca uses a child centered Play Therapy approach in her daily work with children in her community. She is the owner of Nurture Nest Play Therapy and Counseling Center and has a passion for training, supervising, and supporting therapists in their work usin
Rebecca is a LPCC-S and RPT-S. She is AutPlay Certified and TF-CBT Certified. Rebecca uses a child centered Play Therapy approach in her daily work with children in her community. She is the owner of Nurture Nest Play Therapy and Counseling Center and has a passion for training, supervising, and supporting therapists in their work using Play Therapy. A fun fact about Rebecca is that she once was a popular coupon blogger in Kentucky where she traveled around the state teaching coupon classes and had a weekly radio show!
To reach Rebecca send her an email at President@KY4APT.org
Darcie Taggart, PResident-Elect
Darcie Taggart, PResident-Elect
Darcie Taggart, PResident-Elect
Darcie is a LPATS and an LPCC-S as well as an RPT-S. She currently works full time as a Clinical Supervisor for Seven Counties Services and also Co-Own a group Private Practice called Creating Connection PLLC. Her group practice is located in the Clifton Neighborhood and specializes in play and expressive techniques and serves all ages.
Darcie is a LPATS and an LPCC-S as well as an RPT-S. She currently works full time as a Clinical Supervisor for Seven Counties Services and also Co-Own a group Private Practice called Creating Connection PLLC. Her group practice is located in the Clifton Neighborhood and specializes in play and expressive techniques and serves all ages. She love Supervision and watching other professionals grow. Darcie is passionate about working with young children and their families, kids on the Autism spectrum, and supporting LGBTQ youth. A fun fact about Darcie is that she loves loves loves to tie-dye!
To reach Darcie - send her an email at President.Elect@KY4APT.org
Bethany Gaffney, Secretary
Darcie Taggart, PResident-Elect
Marie Tuttle, Finance Director
Bethany Deckard Gaffney is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Supervisor (LPCC-S), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Registered Play Therapist (RPT). In 2022 she earned a doctoral degree (Ed.D), a “bucket list” item for her. Most recently she completed the Level 1 Theraplay training. Prior to becoming an LPCC, she worked
Bethany Deckard Gaffney is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor Supervisor (LPCC-S), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Registered Play Therapist (RPT). In 2022 she earned a doctoral degree (Ed.D), a “bucket list” item for her. Most recently she completed the Level 1 Theraplay training. Prior to becoming an LPCC, she worked as a high school English teacher and an elementary school counselor. Currently, she is employed by Green River Regional Educational Cooperative (GRREC) as a mental health service provider and supervisor. She is also a Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) instructor and a PREPaRE crisis intervention trainer. Bethany is looking forward to collaborating with you this year. By working together, she is hoping to make advancements for play therapy in Kentucky. A “fun fact" about Bethany is that she is an avid reader; she named her daughter after the author of one of her favorite books, To Kill a Mockingbird.
To reach Bethany - send her an email at Secretary@KY4APT.org
Marie Tuttle, Finance Director
Justin Smith, Continuing Education Director
Marie Tuttle, Finance Director
Marie is an LPCC, RPT, TF-CBT Certified, AutPlay Certified, and is Child Parent Psychotherapy Rostered.
She is Child Parent Psychotherapy Rostered, Certified Child & Adolescent Trauma Professional, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and EMDR trained.
She has completed Level 1 Theraplay training, and is a 2023 APT Leadership Academy
Marie is an LPCC, RPT, TF-CBT Certified, AutPlay Certified, and is Child Parent Psychotherapy Rostered.
She is Child Parent Psychotherapy Rostered, Certified Child & Adolescent Trauma Professional, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and EMDR trained.
She has completed Level 1 Theraplay training, and is a 2023 APT Leadership Academy Graduate! Marie works for Kentucky River Community Care as the Early Childhood Mental Health Specialist. A fun fact about her is that she has identical twin sons, a bonus daughter, and 8 grandchildren!
To reach Marie - send her an email at Finance@KY4APT.org
Gwen Cowan-West, Outreach Director
Justin Smith, Continuing Education Director
Justin Smith, Continuing Education Director
To reach Gwen - send her an email at Outreach@KY4APT.org
Justin Smith, Continuing Education Director
Justin Smith, Continuing Education Director
Justin Smith, Continuing Education Director
Justin Smith holds a MA, NCC, LPCC-S, RPT-S™, and ACS. He is the Director of Staff Development, Team Leader, and clinician at Phoenix Preferred Care, working from the Louisville office. Justin is also the owner/operator of Bright Star Consultation, LLC. A fun fact about Justin is he has a 1,489 day streak on Duolingo and am still not f
Justin Smith holds a MA, NCC, LPCC-S, RPT-S™, and ACS. He is the Director of Staff Development, Team Leader, and clinician at Phoenix Preferred Care, working from the Louisville office. Justin is also the owner/operator of Bright Star Consultation, LLC. A fun fact about Justin is he has a 1,489 day streak on Duolingo and am still not fluent in Spanish.
To reach Justin - send him an email at CE.Director@KY4APT.org
Erika Feltner, Social Media Director
Jennifer Stephens, Member Coordinator
Jennifer Stephens, Member Coordinator
To reach Erika - email her at Media.Director@KY4APT.org
Jennifer Stephens, Member Coordinator
Jennifer Stephens, Member Coordinator
Jennifer Stephens, Member Coordinator
To reach Jennifer - email her at Members@KY4APT.org