Michael Whitehead, PhD, LMFT, RPT-S
President
Michael is a classically trained Marriage and Family Therapist. He has a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in HDFS with a specialization in Couple and Family Therapy from Michigan State University; a Master of Science (MS) in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Marriage, Family, and Human Development both from Brigham Young University. His therapeutic approach is informed by the most current research based interventions and theories. His goal is to provide my clients with skills and insights they need so they can continue to move forward in a healthy relationship with each other. His areas of specialization include child directed family therapy, developmentally appropriate parenting practices, handling marital conflict, and the process of finding one’s self. In addition to his clinical practice, he also teaches in the Marriage and Family Therapy department at Northcentral University (online). He also periodically writes articles, present workshops, or provide trainings on a range of topics from Play Therapy to the proper treatment of Oppositional Defiant Disorder and ADHD.
Contact:
Michael Whitehead, PhD
Aspen Grove Family Therapy
Twin Falls, ID 83301
Phone: 208-258-7681
email: president@idahoplaytherapy.org
Sean Nixon, LCPC, LMFT, RPT-S
Past-President
Sean Nixon, LCPC is a licensed clinical professional counselor and a licensed marriage and family therapist with training in family systems, child trauma, neurocounseling, and play therapy. His interests include early life trauma, anxiety, co-occurring diagnoses, family conflict, and behavioral issues. Sean has worked as a school counselor, in clinical settings, and in private practice. He believes that everyone can thrive when given the tools and support they need. Sean earned his bachelor’s degree in liberal arts as well as two master’s degrees from Northwest Nazarene University. His first master’s was in school counseling and the second was in marriage and family counseling. He is also a trained play therapist. Sean has presented at state, regional, and national conferences, and has taken on many roles in professional counseling organizations.
Favorite Therapy Toy: Strategy games.
Contact:
St Luke’s Hospital
9850 W. St. Luke’s Dr. Ste 270
Nampa, ID 83687
(208) 381-5970
Trina Fisher, LCSW
Treasurer
Trina is a native born Idahoan who grew up engaging in many of the outdoor activities our lovely state has to offer, camping, fishing, hiking and of course downhill & cross-country Skiing. She attended NNU in the early 90’s where she majored in Social work and Interned with Family and Children’s services. She then completed her MSW at BSU in 1998 and interned with Ada County Juvenile Court Services. She worked Family and Children’s services for DHW from 1993-1996. After completing her MSW, she worked at Ada County Juvenile Court services, both as a Juvenile Probation Officer & later as an individual & group Counselor. She moved on to work for a Community Mental Health Medicaid clinic, Affinity, where she worked as a counselor and first learned about Play Therapy at a training put on by ID APT. When she finished her clinical supervision, she worked for Personal Solutions, and later Tidwell Social Work services where she continued working with a number of children, while she continued to pursue more Play Therapy trainings around Idaho. In 2008, she went into private practice and have shared space with another colleague, Lisa Johnson. Over the next couple of years, while she worked at building up her practice she has been fortunate to work with children and their families using play therapy training & techniques that she has acquired along her work journey. She continued to engage in play therapy trainings and consultations with other play therapy professionals especially with ID APT. In, 2013, she joined the ID APT board for a number of reasons, aside from being asked to join, she realized that professional associations need people to put the time into running them, that and she is passionate about working with children, families, and helping people deal with issues across the life span.
Contact:
Trina Fisher, LCSW
Phone: (208)850-7958
Email: trinafisherlcsw@hotmail.com
Carmen Stites, LCPC, RPT
President-Elect
Carmen is a Licensed Professional Counselor. She received her Bachelors in Child Development in 2011 from Brigham Young University-Idaho. Her career choice at the time was to become a Child Life Specialist after having her own medical history throughout her childhood through adulthood and wanted to help the next generation though their own experiences. In 2014-2015 she realized that a master’s degree would be required for her to accomplish many of her goals. She graduated from Idaho State University in May of 2017. She is currently working on becoming a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and becoming a Register Play Therapist. Within her own life experiences she has seen the power of play for herself and believes that play is for all ages. She enjoys working with all ages and incorporate play, art and sandtray in many of her sessions. She has been at Rehabilitative Health Services in Idaho Falls for the past two years. She enjoys spending time with her family, her dog, friends and reading.
Contact:
Carmen Stites, LCPC, RPT
Rehabilitative Health Services 1675 Curlew Dr,
Ammon, ID 83406
Phone: (208) 523-5319
Office Email: carmens@rhscares.com